Water Softener Resin Replacement (Step-by-Step)

Water softener resin is the part of a water softener system that attracts and traps mineral molecules during a process referred to as ion exchange. Although an automated regeneration process cleans and recharges the resin on a weekly basis, you still need to replace it as per the manufacturer instructions.

Additionally, when you expose the water-softening unit to more iron than it can handle, its efficiency will deteriorate quite quickly. So, it’s best to know about how to replace the resin when it’s necessary.

Of course, you can call a professional to handle the procedure for you, but considering that a professional plumber will charge you $150 to $200 for it, doing it yourself might be a more appealing idea.

So, in this guide, we’ll walk you through it with step-by-step instructions. We’ll also cover questions like how long a standard softener resin lasts and how much a new one costs.

Tools You Need for Water Softener Resin Replacement

Before setting out to replace the resin, you need to have the following tools:

• 4-in-1 screwdriver: You’ll need to unscrew the control valve/head on the resin tank to be able to get the resin out. A screwdriver is a must-have to be able to do this.
• Funnel: It’s best to pour the replacement resin in with the help of a funnel.
• Gravel (optional): Gravel often makes up the bottom section of a resin tank, but it’s not a must at all. Not all water softeners have gravel, so if you’re not sure whether yours has it or not, consult the instruction manual or contact the customer service of the manufacturer. If it indeed has, then you may purchase new gravel from the manufacturer just to be thorough. If it doesn’t, you don’t need it.
• New resin: To know exactly how much resin you need for your device, contact the manufacturer and consult the instruction manual. You can also simply measure your resin tank and make sure to purchase enough resin that’ll fill at least 60% of it. It’s always best to stick with resin that the manufacturer of the device sells or recommends. Otherwise, you might be running the risk of an inefficient softening operation and you can also lose your warranty.

Once you prepare these tools and materials, it should only take you an hour or so to complete the process.

How to Replace Water Softener Resin

Now that we have all we need to replace the resin, let’s get on with it:

How Often Should You Replace the Water Softener Resin?

Usually, a resin bed lasts 8 to 15 years, but it ultimately depends on a wide variety of variables:

• The quality of the resin: A high-quality, manufacturer-recommended resin will last longer than a cheap one.
• The crosslink percentage of the resin: Water softener resin beads are made of food-grade plastic materials like cross-linked synthetic polymer. More often than not, the crosslink percentage of softener resins is either 8% or 10%. While an 8% cross-linked resin can last 10 years, a 10% one can last 15 to 20 years under the same conditions.
• Water hardness: If a device has to deal with extremely hard water, its resin will deteriorate sooner than expected due to all the calcium and magnesium content it has to deal with.
• Iron levels of the water supply: Although water softeners can remove iron, it can only do so when the iron levels in water doesn’t surpass 2 to 5 mg/L. When above those levels, iron will start building up on the resin, eventually rendering the device inefficient. So, if the water supply has more iron than those levels, it’s best to complement the softening device with a capable iron filter.
• Chlorine levels: Municipal authorities often sanitize tap water with chlorine and chloramines to prevent bacterial infestation. But the content of these chemicals might cause softener resin to degrade before its expected lifespan. That’s why a pre-filter that can remove chlorine and chloramines before the water enters the softening system is always a good idea.
• Maintenance: Although water softening units clean themselves during the regen process, you still need to take steps to clean them every once in a while to prevent salt bridges. Depending on manufacturer recommendations, you can sanitize the resin using a water softener cleaning solution, vinegar, or bleach. You can head to our guide on how to clean a water softener device to learn all about it. How well you do it will inevitably affect the lifespan of the unit.

How Do I Know When My Resin is in Poor Condition?

If you notice calcium and magnesium mineral stains & buildup in your sinks, faucets, and appliances, despite the water softener working properly, then it could be a sign that your water softener resin is no longer removing the minerals and it needs replacement.

How Much Does It Cost to Replace Water Softener Resin?

The cost of resin replacement depends solely on what kind of new resin you want to purchase and how much of it you need, but if you don’t want to purchase a low-quality resin, expect to spend as much as $150 for a high-quality water softener resin.

Expect to spend an additional $200 if you opt for professional replacement instead of DIY.

Conclusion

Water softener resin may require replacement every 8 to 15 years depending on the water hardness level, iron content, chlorine contact, maintenance, and, ultimately, its own quality and crosslink percentage. You can either pay an extra $200 to hire a professional to replace it, or you can do it yourself by following our step-by-step guide above.

If the resin of your device has deteriorated before the lifespan the manufacturer attributed to it, you should also check the chlorine and iron levels of your water supply. If these are more than the device can handle, it might be best to complement the unit with an iron filter or pre-filter.

Also, cleaning the system regularly may help extend the lifespan of the resin.