System Disinfection; Installation Checklist; Care And Use Of Your Brine Tank - Pentair FLECK 5810 SXT UPFLOW/DOWNFLOW Service Manual

SYSTEM DISINFECTION

Disinfection Of Water Softeners
The materials of construction of the modern water softener
will not support bacterial growth, nor will these materials
contaminate a water supply. During normal use, a softener
may become fouled with organic matter, or in some cases with
bacteria from the water supply. This may result in an off-taste
or odor in the water.
Some softeners may need to be disinfected after installation
and some softeners will require periodic disinfection during
their normal life.
Depending upon the conditions of use, the style of softener, the
type of ion exchanger, and the disinfectant available, a choice
can be made among the following methods.
Sodium or Calcium Hypochlorite
Application
These materials are satisfactory for use with polystyrene
resins, synthetic gel zeolite, greensand and bentonites.
5.25% Sodium Hypochlorite
These solutions are available by various sellers of household
bleach. If stronger solutions are used, such as those sold for
commercial laundries, adjust the dosage accordingly.
1. Dosage
A. Polystyrene resin; 1.2 fluid ounce (35.5 ml) per cubic
foot.
B. Non-resinous exchangers; 0.8 fluid ounce (23.7 ml) per
cubic foot.
2. Salt tank softeners
A. Backwash the softener and add the required amount
of hypochlorite solution to the well of the salt tank. The
salt tank should have water in it to permit the solution
to be carried into the softener.
B. Proceed with the normal recharge.
Calcium Hypochlorite
Calcium hypochlorite, 70% available chlorine, is available in
several forms including tablets and granules. These solid
materials may be used directly without dissolving before use.
1. Dosage
A. Two grains (approximately 0.1 ounce [3 ml]) per cubic
foot.
2. Salt tank softeners
A. Backwash the softener and add the required amount of
hypochlorite to the well of the salt tank. The salt tank
should have water in it to permit the chlorine solution to
be carried into the softener.
B. Proceed with the normal recharge.

INSTALLATION CHECKLIST

Read the owner's/installation manual?

Follow all safety guidelines in the manual?

 If metal pipe was used, did you restore the electrical ground?
 Securely install both drain hoses to an approved drain?
Perform a leak test?

Move the bypass valve to service?

Sanitize the softener?

Add salt pellets to the salt storage tank?

Program the control correctly to meet your needs?

Start a recharge?


CARE AND USE OF YOUR BRINE TANK

Each time the softener recharges, salty water (brine) is needed
to recondition the media in the water tank. The brine is pulled
from the salt tank at a controlled amount. If the salt tank does
not contain enough salt, the brine is weak, the media will not
fully recondition and untreated water will pass through.
You must keep salt in the tank.
The salt tank operates best when the salt level is below half-
full. If the tank is filled more than that the salt pellets may
"bridge". The salt pellets wedge against each other and do
not fall into the water at the bottom. Bridging will eventually
provide no salt to make brine. The softener will recharge but
not recondition the media. A salt bridge can be broken up using
a broom handle or similar rod. Carefully pound it into the salt
and the pellets will collapse. After loosening the salt pellets
wait 2 hours and start a regeneration. A second recharge may
be needed to fully recondition the media.
You should only use sodium chloride pellet salt for water
softeners. Other types of salt (rock or snow melting) will
contain dirt and chemicals that will affect your water softener.
Keep the brine tank covered.
Empty and clean the tank every three years.
FLECK 5810 & 5812 SXT Upflow/Downflow • 13