Water Softener Not Working? It May Be Clogged With Brown Sludge

If your water softener doesn't seem to be softening water like it used to, the cause could be a buildup of brown sludge. Brown sludge is a thick, muddy substance that can accumulate inside the resin tank, brine tank, and pipes of your water softener system. Left unchecked, it can clog components, reduce flow rates, and decrease softening effectiveness. Identifying and clearing out this messy gunk is key to restoring your softener to full working order.

Signs Your Water Softener Has Brown Sludge Buildup

Here are some of the most common indicators that brown sludge may have built up inside your softener:

• Cloudy or discolored water
• Decreased water pressure
• Scale buildup on fixtures and pipes
• Salty taste to water
• Foul "rotten egg" odor from water
• Softener fails to regenerate fully
• Soap scum and film on surfaces

If you notice one or more of these issues, it's definitely time to check for sludge accumulation and clean out your system.

What Causes Brown Sludge in Water Softeners

There are a few key culprits that contribute to the formation of brown sludge:

Sediment Buildup

Over time, dirt, sand, and clay particles from your home's water supply can build up in the resin tank and pipes. Low quality salt pellets containing sediments make the issue worse. Gradually this debris restricts water flow through the resin beads, reducing softening capacity.

Hard Water Mineral Scale

The calcium and magnesium dissolved in hard water can slowly form white or brown mineral deposits known as scale. This coats the resin beads, limiting their ion-exchange ability. Scale also leaves deposits throughout the softening system.

Rust and Corrosion

If your water supply contains high iron levels, it can lead to orangey brown rust accumulating in your softener. Rust scale can totally clog key components like the venturi, brine valve, and resin tank.

Bacteria and Biofilm

Certain bacteria, like iron bacteria, feed on iron particles in water. They leave behind black oily slime, restrict water flow, and create a "rotten egg" smell. Softener tanks offer ideal conditions for bacteria to multiply.

Removing Brown Sludge From the Softener

To fully restore softening performance, you'll need to thoroughly clean the buildup out of the system. Here are some effective methods:

Physical Cleaning

Start by shutting off water supply and power to the softener. Remove the resin tank lid and manually scoop out any loose sludge. Use a hose to rinse the tank interior. Scrub all surfaces with a soft brush or rag to dislodge stuck-on deposits.

Purge With Cleaner

For deeper cleaning, fill the brine tank with a resin bed cleaning solution. Initiate a manual regeneration to circulate the cleaner through the resin for 1-2 hours. This dissolves scale and flushes gunk out to drain. Thoroughly rinse the tank afterwards.

Treat Iron Sludge Chemically

For stubborn iron sludge, use a specialty iron stain remover. Add it to the brine tank and regenerate the system to circulate the chemical through. It dissolves and neutralizes the iron so it can be flushed out.

Sanitize System

Use bleach or other sanitizers to kill bacteria and prevent future slime buildup. Make sure to rinse thoroughly afterwards. Ozone or UV systems also help eliminate microorganisms.

Prevent Reoccurrence of Brown Sludge

With your water softener cleaned, take these steps to stop sludge coming back:

• Use only high grade purified salt pellets, with no sediments or additives
• Inspect and replace pre-filters regularly to catch particles
• Clean the brine tank every 6 months to stop salt bridges forming
• Consider whole house iron filtration if water supply has high iron

Regular maintenance and preventive care will keep your water softener running sludge-free for years to come!

When to Call a Professional

For minor sludge you can probably handle the cleaning yourself. But if you have severe iron bacteria contamination, badly corroded tanks, need resin replaced, or have persistent issues with unclear causes, it's best to call a water treatment professional. They have heavy-duty cleaning equipment, disinfectants, and experience fully restoring softener performance.

Left ignored, brown sludge buildup can grind your water softener to a halt. But with some elbow grease and the right cleaning solutions, you can dissolve mineral deposits, remove sediments, kill bacteria, and get your system running cleanly again. Combining deep cleaning with improved maintenance makes sure your water softener keeps providing scale-free, dirt-free soft water for years to come.