Preparing to leave your home for any period of time can be stressful. Not only do you have to plan every detail of your trip from travel arrangements to what to pack, but you also have to make sure your home is ready for you to be away too. That means adjusting your thermostat, closing your blinds and shutting off ceiling fans.
One thing homeowners rarely consider when leaving home for a long period is their appliances. Most appliances will remain off if no one is inhabiting the space, but some may have you wondering what to turn off when going on vacation. Do you need to prep your water softener for while you’re on vacation? American Water is here to lend a hand!
Should You Turn Off Your Water Softener For Vacation?
We never want to come home after time away to find out that something has happened to our home while we were gone. If you’re questioning if you should turn your water softener off while on vacation, start with the basics. Is your softener metered or not?
A metered softener won’t regenerate when no water is being used. This means the system won’t need to start the regeneration cycle that cleans and prepares the resin beads for ion exchange.
A timed water softener will regenerate when its pre-set time says to, even if it’s not in use — and without water, it can damage parts of the unit. So, if your softener is not metered and you’re planning to be gone for a long period of time, it’s time to learn how to unplug your water softener!
How Do You Turn Off A Water Softener?
There are two primary ways to shut down your water softener: the power cable and the bypass valve.
For many homeowners, you may never have asked yourself, “Can I unplug my water softener?”. Just like most appliances, your softener is plugged into an electrical outlet in order to run. This means you can simply unplug the cable from the wall to turn off your soft water system.
If you would rather use the bypass valve built into the water softening system, this may be an even easier solution.
There are three functions your water softener performs: bypass, service and regeneration. When in bypass mode, your unit will no longer be functioning. However, water will still be able to enter your home, bypassing the water softening process. It’s ideal to set your machine to bypass mode while you’re away if someone will be coming over and need water access for plants or your landscape.
How To Turn Water Softener Bypass On
Each brand of water softener uses a slightly different process for bypass. These are the most common you may run into:
- Button bypass valve — Press the bypass button until it clicks into the bypass position, allowing water to flow directly to the house without passing through the softener.
- Lever bypass valve — Move the lever to the “bypass” position, usually indicated on the valve, to divert water around the softener.
- Knob bypass — Turn the knob to the “bypass” setting, following the directional arrows or indicators on the valve.
- 3-valve-bypass — Turn the inlet and outlet valves to the closed position and open the bypass valve to redirect the water flow around the softener.
Turning Your Water Softener Back On After Vacation
If you’ve unplugged your system, simply plug it back into the wall when you return. The system should resume service and provide softened water. If you have any trouble with powering the unit on or the water softener won’t regenerate, it’s time to call the pros at American Water.
If you turned on the bypass valve when you left, no worries when you arrive home! Simply return your machine to service mode. Your water will be clean, safe and drinkable.
If you’re worried about your major appliance while you’re on vacation, it’s always better to be safe than sorry and power them down. Putting your mind at ease will help you enjoy your time away from home. Your home water softener should be the least of your worries.
How Do I Get A Water Softener Installed To Eliminate Hard Water?
If you need a water softener installation or are ready for a replacement,the water specialists at American Water are prepared to answer your questions about water problems. We can help you choose a water softener for your Round Rock home that will fit your needs, even if you have well water. To learn more, please call one of of the Austin water softener specialists today.
