Hydrology Help Center
Quick, honest answers before you pick up the phone. Most “is this normal?” moments are right here — and if it actually needs us, we’ll tell you exactly when to call.
💧Is this normal? (Yes — these are all fine)
NormalMy drain line is running — is something wrong?
Usually not. Your system cleans itself on an automatic cycle (called regeneration), and the drain line runs during it. That normally happens overnight, between about 2:00 and 5:00 AM.
If it’s running at another time of day, see “draining at the wrong time of day” below.
NormalMy water looks cloudy or milky since the install
It’s just air in the lines after installation. Let a cold tap run for a moment; it clears on its own within a day or two.
NormalMy cold water feels soft but my hot water doesn’t yet
Your cold water is soft immediately. Your water heater still holds about 40 gallons of your old water, so the hot side feels soft once the tank naturally turns over. Give it a little time.
🪨My water still feels or tests hard
ServiceRun through these quick checks first
Before booking a visit, a few things solve this most of the time:
- Where did you test/feel it? Test from a cold tap and let it run for 15–20 seconds first. Hot water (and any outside spigot plumbed before the system) can still be hard.
- Is the system in bypass? If the bypass valve was left on, no water is being treated. Make sure it’s in the normal/service position.
- Is there salt in the tank? If your system uses salt, an empty tank means it can’t soften. Top it up.
- Salt “bridge”? Sometimes salt forms a hard crust with an empty gap underneath, so it looks full but isn’t working. Gently break it up with a broom handle.
- Did it regenerate? If the clock is set wrong, it may be cleaning at the wrong time or skipping. See the clock section.
🧂Softener / whole-home questions
NormalShould my whole-home water have a low TDS reading like my RO?
A whole-home softener/conditioner isn’t meant to lower TDS. It removes the hardness (calcium & magnesium) that causes scale, swapping it for a tiny amount of sodium — so the total dissolved solids stay about the same. The carbon media removes chlorine and taste/odor, not dissolved minerals.
Low TDS comes from your reverse-osmosis drinking-water system, which removes dissolved solids at your kitchen tap. That’s why the RO faucet reads low and the rest of the house doesn’t — exactly as intended.
A TDS meter measures dissolved solids, not softness. Your whole-home system is doing its job even though the TDS number barely moves. Softness is measured in grains of hardness, not TDS — and you don’t actually want zero-mineral water running to every tap and appliance.
InfoHow do I bypass the system?
Your install includes a bypass and a new main shut-off. Turning the bypass sends water around the system (untreated) — useful to stop an issue or during maintenance.
InfoHow often do I add salt?
It varies with your water and usage — many homes add a bag every few weeks to a couple of months. Keep the tank at least a third full. Ask us about salt delivery so you never have to think about it.
ServiceWater is draining at the wrong time of day
Most often this happens after a power outage — if the time on the display is flashing, that’s the giveaway it just needs to be reset.
Check the display:
- If it shows “Backwash” or “Rinse,” the clock is probably set to the wrong time. Reset the time of day and it’ll go back to cleaning overnight.
- If the clock is correct and it’s still cycling at odd hours, that’s worth a call. In the meantime you can put the system in bypass to stop it.
ServiceI started getting water spots again after a while
If your glasses and dishes were spot-free and then spotting slowly crept back, check two things. First, make sure you haven’t run low on salt (and that there’s no salt bridge). Second, your hardness setting may need adjusting — your water’s hardness can drift over time, and the system has to keep up with it.
Keeping those settings dialed in is exactly what our signature maintenance plan is for — we come out, check the salt, and fine-tune the settings so your water stays right without you having to think about it. Ask us about it.
🚰Reverse osmosis (drinking water)
NormalMy RO water looks cloudy or milky
That’s tiny air bubbles — common when the system is new or freshly filtered, and even more so if you have an alkaline (remineralization) filter that adds minerals back. It clears after the water sits a moment. If it continues for more than a few days, let us know.
NormalMy fridge ice maker or water dispenser is slow after connecting the RO
RO water comes from a storage tank at lower pressure than your main line, so feeding your fridge causes a noticeable pressure drop: the ice maker fills slower, cubes can be smaller, and the dispenser runs slower. That’s the trade-off for RO-quality water and ice — we always give you a heads-up before connecting it.
InfoNo water or slow water from my RO faucet
The storage tank takes about 3 hours to fill from empty, so right after install or a filter change it needs time. Slow flow over time usually means the filters are due or the membrane needs replacing.
InfoHow often do the RO filters and membrane need changing?
Per Puronics, the pre- and post-filters should be changed at least once a year (about every 2,500 gallons). The RO membrane’s life depends on your water — the harder it is and the higher the pH, the sooner it’s due, anywhere from a couple of years up to five. Because our local water is hard, we recommend planning on the membrane about every 2 years and testing it so you replace it right when it’s due. (If your system has an alkaline filter, plan on the yearly change for it too.)
InfoHow do I change my RO filters?
Most customers just have us handle filter changes on their maintenance & delivery plan — we bring the right cartridges and keep your water and warranty on track. If you’d rather DIY, your system uses Easy Change cartridges:
- Put a bucket or pan under the unit to catch drips.
- Turn the pre-filter first (right to left) — that shuts the water off — then remove it. Do the post-filter and membrane the same way.
- Twist each new cartridge in (left to right) until it stops. The red membrane cartridge must go in the CENTER — it can leak if it’s in the wrong spot.
- Turn the water back on, check for leaks, then flush: run the RO faucet, drain the tank fully once, and let it refill before drinking.
Rather we handle it? We’ll keep you on schedule so you never have to think about it.
InfoI’m going out of town
Turn off the RO’s back supply valve and open the faucet to let the water drain out. We rarely have issues, but this makes sure a leak can’t happen while you’re away.
ServiceMy RO water tastes off
Usually the filters are due. Right after install, be sure you did the initial flush: fill the tank (~3 hrs), drain it completely by opening the faucet, then let it refill — after that it’s ready to drink.
⚠️Leaks & emergencies
InfoHow do I shut off my water?
Worth knowing before you ever need it. Your install includes a new main shut-off — turning it stops water to the system and the line it feeds. For the RO drinking-water unit, use its own supply valve.
EmergencyI see a leak
- Turn off the new main shut-off at your system (or the RO supply valve if it’s the drinking-water unit).
- Wipe up standing water so you can see where it’s coming from.
- Call Hydrology — we’ll walk you through it or come out.
Always check fittings after anyone touches or moves the equipment.
📞When you really should call us
ServiceCall us if…
- Water still tests hard after the quick checks above.
- The system cycles at odd hours with the clock set correctly.
- Any leak, or water where it shouldn’t be.
- A sudden change in taste, smell, color, or pressure.
- You’re due for filter/membrane service.
That’s exactly what we’re here for — no such thing as a dumb question when it’s your home’s water.
📖Dig deeper: full guides
What our customers say
Real reviews from Sarasota & Manatee County homeowners
“They answered every question we had and gave us time to think without ever pressuring us to buy. My hair beautician of 30 years couldn’t believe the difference in my skin and hair — I don’t know how we went so long without this system!”
“We researched and met with a few water softener companies and Hydrology stood out in the best ways. Genuine people, transparent pricing, quick communication, and informative guidance every step of the way. 10/10. Highly recommend. Thanks again Brad and Keith!”
“Hydrology is a great company with fabulous products. Brad and Keith are very knowledgeable about the products they sell. No pressure to buy. The product sells itself. Our water tastes fantastic. Our dishes and clothes are cleaner. Our skin is much softer and hair less frizzy during the Florida summer. Give them a call, you won’t be disappointed.”
Still need us?
Book a service visit or a free water test — serving Parrish, Lakewood Ranch, Palmetto and the Sarasota–Manatee area.
Upgrade Your System
Already love your water? Take it further. These popular add-ons make your setup even more convenient — bundle any of them with a new system or add them anytime.
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Ice-Cold Filtered Water
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Not sure which upgrade fits your home?
Tell us how you use your water and we’ll recommend the add-ons that are actually worth it — no pressure, no upselling for the sake of it.
