Recommended Preventative Maintenance; Sanitizing Procedure - Culligan Gold Series Installation & Operation Instructions

Sanitizing Procedure

A water softener in daily use on a potable water supply generally requires no special attention other than keeping the salt tank
filled. Occasionally, however, a unit may require sanitization under one of the following conditions:
• At start-up time.
• After standing idle for a week or more.
• On private supplies, the appearance of off-tastes and odors, particularly if musty or "rotten egg" (caused by harmless
sulfate-reducing bacteria).
Note: If the water supply contains iron, regenerate the softener before sanitizing to remove iron from the resin.
Caution! Hazard from toxic fumes! Chlorine bleach and common iron control chemicals may generate
toxic fumes when mixed.
• If the unit uses culligan sofner-gard
any other reducing agent, disconnect the device feeding the chemical(s) and manually regenerate the unit
before sanitizing.
• Do not use this procedure if the softener salt contains iron control additives.
1. Remove the brine tank cover.
2. Pour directly into the brine chamber 1/3 to 1/2 cup of common household bleach (5.25% sodium hypochlorite) for each cubic
foot of resin in the tank.
3. Manually start recharge. Allow the unit to complete the recharge cycle automatically.
If tastes and odors return frequently, even after sanitization, a continuous chlorination system may be needed. Send a water
sample to a qualified laboratory for bacterial analysis.
Analyzing the System
Analyzing the problem involves three basic steps:
1. Check the system in all cycle positions.
2. Compare the data to normal operating data.
3. Determine which component may cause the problem (troubleshooting).
4. If steps 1-3 did not reveal the problem, initiate a regeneration cycle and manually cycle the valve to brine draw (#2 position).
Allow the unit to complete the brine draw cycle and observe how the system reacts.
Although it may be possible to solve a specific problem simply by changing a component, analyzing the entire system can reveal
additional problems which would otherwise require extra service calls. "Parts changing" is not the same as service.
Check the System
The following tools are needed to collect data:
1. Hardness, iron and chlorine test kits
2. Thermometer
3. Pressure gauge, 0-120 psi
4. 5-Gallon bucket and watch
5. Calculator
The customer can provide most data. By collecting data prior to a service call, a "first guess" about the cause of the problem
can be made and the need for any special parts can be determined. If the problem is as simple as lack of salt in the brine tank,
a service call may not be needed at all. At the end of Appendix A is a recommended system data sheet that will assist the
troubleshoot process.

Recommended Preventative Maintenance

or other compounds containing sodium hydrosulfite, sodium bisulfite, or
®
Recommended Preventative Maintenance 43