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The plumbing system and water using appliances that have been exposed, even for a short time, to iron-fouled water need to be
cleaned of the precipitated iron that has collected in them or iron bleed (staining) will continue to be a problem.
Depending on the amount of iron in the water and the length of time the water system has been exposed to iron fouling, select
from the following procedures those that apply to the type of system and appliances that need to be cleaned to assure iron-free
water at all points of use.
Softener
It isn't uncommon that the softener was installed in an effort to remove ferrous (clear water) iron from the water supply. Typically
a softener will remove some ferrous iron until the resin bed becomes fouled to the extent that it will lose both hardness removal
capacity and the limited capacity for iron removal. This is the condition to expect the softener to be in when planning a system
clean-up. Prior to closing the main supply valve or turning power off to a private well system and preparatory to installing the
filter system, do the following:
1. Disconnect the brine draw line from the brine cabinet and place the loose end into a five gallon plastic pail filled with a
solution of warm water and 4 oz. of resin mineral cleaner.
2. Advance the control timer to the brine draw position (refer to instructions provided with your softener). Allow all the warm
mineral cleaner solution to be drawn into the mineral bed.
3. Then immediately close the main water supply valve or turn the power off to the pump and proceed with the filter
installation. During the time required to install the filter system, the iron-fouled softener resin will be chemically cleaned.
4. After the filter installation is completed and final adjustments have been made, turn the water back on to the softener,
reconnect the brine draw tube then reposition the timer on the softener to the backwash position. Allow the timer to perform
an automatic regeneration cycle. During backwash of the softener, all iron cleaned from the resin will be washed down the
drain. It is advisable, after chemically cleaning the softener, to regenerate the system twice to fully restore capacity lost due
to iron-fouling.
Water Heater
If the water heater has been exposed to both iron and hardness for a long period of time, replacement of the heater tank may be
the only practical solution to prevent continued staining originating from this source. After completing the installation of the
chemical free iron filter, clean the water heater by following these instructions:
1. Shut off the energy supply to the water heater and close the heater inlet water valve.
2. Drain hot water tank completely. Open inlet water valve, allowing heater tank to be refilled with iron-free water. Continue
flushing until the water runs clear to the drain.
3. If, after approximately 30 minutes of flushing, water does not clear, terminate the flushing operation. Refill hot water heater
with water and pour approximately 1/2 gallon of household bleach into the top of the heater tank. Allow bleach solution to
stand in tank for 20 to 30 minutes. Flush the tank again until water is clear at the drain. Turn energy supply on.
NOTE
If water does not clear in approximately 10 minutes, water heater should probably be replaced.
