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How Water Softener Regeneration Works: Backwash, Brine, Rinse and Refill
- Resin fills with hardness
- Brine restores the resin
- Metered beats time-clock
- Set by hardness + resin volume
On this page
The Five Regeneration Cycles
| Cycle | What happens | Why |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Backwash | Water flows up through the resin to drain | Loosens the bed, flushes dirt |
| 2. Brine draw | Brine is sucked from the salt tank into the resin | Sodium pushes hardness off the resin |
| 3. Slow rinse | Water slowly pushes brine through the bed | Gives brine time to work, removes hardness |
| 4. Fast rinse | Fast downflow to drain | Packs the bed, rinses out salt |
| 5. Brine refill | Water returns to the salt tank | Makes brine for next time |
Time-Clock vs Metered Regeneration
| Time-clock | Metered (volume) | |
|---|---|---|
| Triggers | Every set number of days | After a set volume of water |
| Salt use | Higher when water use varies | Lower; regenerates only when needed |
| Best for | Steady daily use | Hotels, laundries, boilers, homes with changing use |
How Often Should a Softener Regenerate?
Capacity between regenerations ≈ resin capacity (from the maker, per litre of resin at your salt setting) ÷ water hardness. Harder water or more water use means more frequent regeneration. Test hardness first: see hard water signs and fixes and use the softener size and salt calculator.
Softeners at H-TECH
1 T/H 0844 H-Tech Water Softener MachineKSh 60,400
1 T/H 1054 H-Tech Water Softener MachineKSh 80,000
2 T/H 1254 H-Tech Water Softener MachineKSh 95,000
3 T/H 1465 H-Tech Water Softener MachineKSh 135,000
6 T/H 2069 H-Tech Water Softener MachineKSh 255,000
H-Tech 10 T/H 3072 Water Softener MachineKSh 470,000| Product | Price |
|---|---|
| 1 T/H 0844 H-Tech Water Softener Machine | KSh 60,400 |
| 1 T/H 1054 H-Tech Water Softener Machine | KSh 80,000 |
| 2 T/H 1254 H-Tech Water Softener Machine | KSh 95,000 |
| 3 T/H 1465 H-Tech Water Softener Machine | KSh 135,000 |
| 6 T/H 2069 H-Tech Water Softener Machine | KSh 255,000 |
| H-Tech 10 T/H 3072 Water Softener Machine | KSh 470,000 |
Current listed prices incl. VAT (updated 10 November 2026).
Troubleshooting
- Hard water after regeneration: no salt, salt bridge in the brine tank, blocked injector or wrong settings.
- Salt level not dropping: brine not being drawn (injector, brine line, valve).
- Water in brine tank too high: refill time too long or brine draw failing.
- Resin in the taps: broken distributor or laterals.
Keep the brine tank topped up with proper softener salt: see the brine tank and salt guide.
Frequently asked questions
How does water softener regeneration work?
The valve backwashes the resin, draws brine through it, rinses and refills the brine tank.
How long does softener regeneration take?
Typically from about one to two hours, depending on settings and size.
How often should a softener regenerate?
It depends on hardness, resin volume and water use; metered valves calculate it automatically.
Can I use water during regeneration?
Most single-tank softeners bypass hard water during regeneration, so it is usually scheduled at night.
Why is my softener not using salt?
Often a salt bridge, blocked injector or a faulty brine line.