The best indicator is your eyes—yes, those things above your nose. Look inside the brine tank. Pop the lid like you’re checking on a simmering pot of soup. Is the salt level below the water line? Are you seeing more water than salt? If so, it’s time to add some.
Another clue: your water starts feeling a bit squeaky. You know the feeling—that weird, “did I rinse the soap off?” sensation on your skin. That’s hard water sneaking back in. Your softener is basically sending you a text message made of bad hair days.
And if you hear the system making a weird grinding noise, don’t panic. That’s just it saying “feed me, Seymour!” It’s not a horror movie; it’s a gentle reminder.
Pro Tip: The “Half Full” Rule
Here’s a secret the fancy manuals won’t tell you. Aim to keep the tank at least half full of salt. Not overflowing like a cereal bowl, not bone-dry like your motivation on a Monday. Half full is the sweet spot. It’s like having a backup coffee stash—you’re never caught off guard.
If you let it go completely empty, you’re in for a chore. You’ll have to break up huge salt “bridges” that form (think of a salty igloo inside your tank). Nobody wants to wrestle an igloo. Trust me. Just keep it half full, and you’ll avoid that workout.
