What should you check during a routine maintenance of a water softener?

During routine maintenance of a water softener, it's essential to check the salt level and the condition of the resin. The salt level is crucial because it directly affects the softening process; if the salt level is too low, the system will not regenerate effectively, leading to hard water issues. Additionally, the condition of the resin is vital, as the resin beads are responsible for the ion exchange process that softens the water. Over time, resin can become fouled or degraded, which means that it may not function optimally, jeopardizing the efficiency of the water softener.

The other options, while related to water care or filtration systems, do not specifically pertain to the core operational checks required for water softeners during maintenance. Checking water pressure and temperature is more relevant to the overall plumbing system rather than specifically to the softening function. While knowing the hardness of the water supply is beneficial for understanding the initial water quality, it is not a direct action taken during routine maintenance of the softener itself. Lastly, filter replacement intervals pertain more to filtration systems rather than the function and maintenance aspects of a water softener, which focuses on the salt and resin.