FAQs

A.  Grain Capacity is the maximum number of water hardness grains per gallon that the unit can remove before it automatically regenerates.  For example: if your family uses 400 gallons of water per day and you have 10 grain per gallon hard water, you would need 4,000 grains of water softener capacity per day (400 gallons x 10 grain hard water).

A.  Demand Regeneration monitors your water usage and only regenerates as needed.  If you go on vacation and don’t use any water it will not regenerate, while if you have visitors over and use more water than usual, it will regenerate more often. All Morton® Water Softeners have Demand Regeneration to maximize water efficiency.

A.  Water softeners use salt to regenerate and have a tank to store the salt. Salt is not corrosive to plastic so we utilize a high grade plastic which provides many years of product life.

A. No.  The resin beads inside the water softener are what softens the water and over time the resin beads become coated with hardness minerals.  When the resin beads can no longer remove any more hardness minerals, Morton Water Softeners automatically go into ‘regeneration’. During regeneration, the salt in the tank is mixed with water to create salt water which is then used to clean the resin bed and remove the hardness minerals from the resin beads.  All the salt water is flushed down the nearby drain and then the unit is ready to provide soft water again. Soft water does not taste salty.

A. Hard water contains minerals such as calcium and magnesium. These minerals cause the stains in your sinks and showers, as well as scale buildup in your pipes and water heater.  Hardness is measured in grains per gallon or mg/L or ppm. One grain per gallon is equal to 17.1 mg/L or 17.1ppm.

A. If you get your water from the city or municipality, they can provide your water hardness level. If you get your water from a private well, you will need to get your well tested for hardness and iron levels/types.

A. Salt consumption will vary depending on how hard your water is and how much water you use, but the average household uses approximately two bags every two months. To get a reminder, text “soft” to 35227.

A.  Yes, Morton Water Softeners remove various levels of Clear Water (Ferrous) Iron depending on the model you choose. For best results, use in conjunction with Morton® Clean and Protect™ Plus Rust Defense™ Pellets.

A. The ideal location for your Morton® Water Softener should be near the incoming water line, with a standard electrical outlet and drain nearby. The water softener will need a clean, level spot to sit. If the floor is uneven, it can be leveled with a piece of plywood and shims underneath the plywood to level the surface. We recommend plumbing the water softener such that all the hot and cold water in the home is softened. Water to the outside spigots can be left unsoftened.

A.  A Morton® Water Softener uses about the same amount of electricity as a standard alarm clock. 

A. A Morton Water Softener uses about the same amount of water as doing 1 load of laundry.

A. Yes, it’s very common for consumers to drain the water softener into a standard septic system and it will not affect the septic system operation or drain field.

A.  No, a water softener cannot have too much capacity.

A.  Morton® Clean and Protect™ , Morton® Clean and Protect™ Plus Rust Defense™ or Morton® Pure and Natural™ Pellets are recommended.

A. Yes, below is the estimated average annual savings from using a Morton® Water Softener as compared to having hard water. Your particular savings may be different depending on your usages and lifestyle.

A. Visit the Warranty Page or consult your Owner’s Manual for details.

A. An extremely small amount of sodium is added to you water but will not affect the taste.  On average, this is the equivalent to the amount of sodium in a slice of white bread per liter. If sodium is still a concern, Potassium Chloride pellets are an alternative to traditional Sodium Chloride pellets. Be sure to consult your physician if you are on a sodium-restricted diet.

A. Yes, Potassium Chloride can be used in place of traditional Sodium Chloride pellets. Be sure to consult your physician if you are on a sodium-restricted diet.

A. A salt bridge is a hollow area below the salt in your water softener. Consult your Installation/Operation Manual for instructions on how to break the salt bridge.

A. The Morton Water Softener can be drained into a laundry tub, standpipe or floor drain. Consult the Installation/Operation Manual for complete instructions and always follow local plumbing codes.

A.  Yes, providing it is protected from the elements, such as rain, freezing temperatures, rodents and direct sunlight.

A.Typically, your water softener will regenerate every 3 to 7 days. This will vary by the number of people in your household and the amount of water used. Demand Regeneration water softeners include sensors that monitor water usage. The softener can tell when the resin is full of hardness minerals and needs cleansing and then regenerates automatically.

A.  It will take about 2 hours for your water softener to complete the regeneration process. Most users set their regeneration time for 2am or a convenient two-hour window when they know soft water will not be needed.

A.  Yes, we recommend installing both a water softener and filtration system for a complete water treatment solution.

A.  It is normal to have 2 to 5 inches of water at the bottom of the salt storage tank.

A. All Morton Water Softeners come with 24-hour power interruption protection. If your power goes out, you may need to reset your clock time, but all other settings will be kept.