I have just purchased a home that uses well water. In the basement there is a Culligan Mark 2 water softner. I have never used a water softner before and need some help on its proper use. Next to the softner unit is a container for salt. I do not see any in there but there is a lot of orange stuff at the bottom; this container is only filled up about 1/8th of the way with water and it looks as if it has been standing for quite awhile - after running water all through the house this water never changed nor did the unit turn on. The water that comes out of the drains is fairly clear but after it sits for a short the bottom of the glass looks rusted. Any direction on what to do and how to use a water softner would be very helpful. Thanks!

I have a situation in my basement shower drain pipe! I am planing to replace my shower unit in the future, but before I dismantled the old shower unit I was getting some sewage backup in the shower. I'm assuming there isn't a check valve in the line between the shower drain and the main line. the distance between the two is very short. Am I correct to assume I will need a check valve in the line when the time comes to replace the shower unit? Is there another type of valve or something on the market to correct this problem of sewage backup?