If you’ve tried all of the above and your water is still hard, you might have resin bead damage. Those tiny beads can wear out after 10-15 years. They start looking like broken gravel instead of smooth spheres. Replacing the resin is messy and time-consuming. Most people just buy a new softener. It’s the “replace the entire car because the radio broke” move, but sometimes, it’s the right call.
Another pro signal: if you smell a rotten egg smell. That’s sulfur bacteria growing in the tank. You can shock the system with hydrogen peroxide, but if it persists, your softener might be beyond saving. Don’t cry—treat yourself to a nice new model with a smart app and a WiFi connection.
