What Does 10% Crosslinked Resin Mean?

Crosslinking describes how tightly the plastic structure inside each softener resin bead is bonded together. Standard softener resin is 8% crosslinked. 10% crosslinked resin is more tightly bonded, which makes it more resistant to breakdown from chlorine and chloramine in city water.

Why it matters on city water

Softener resin is a polystyrene bead bonded with divinylbenzene (DVB). The crosslink percentage is the share of DVB. Disinfectants such as chlorine and chloramine slowly oxidize resin. Over years, oxidized beads swell, soften and lose capacity, and the bed can start to restrict flow.

Higher crosslinking slows that process. That is why 10% resin is often chosen for disinfected municipal water like El Paso's.

What it does not mean

A 10% resin does not make every system better. Sizing, the control valve, installation and programming matter just as much. 8% resin works well in many homes, especially where water is not heavily disinfected or where carbon removes chlorine before it reaches the resin.

Our systems use ResinTech CG10, a 10% crosslinked strong-acid cation resin with the WQA Gold Seal. In our Standard and XL systems, Jacobi coconut-shell carbon shares the same mixed bed. See what makes a good water softener.

Applicable certifications are held by the individual components and media and their manufacturers. The assembled Honest Water system is not separately NSF-certified as a complete system.

Compare it for yourself.

Most El Paso city-water homes can be quoted without an in-home appointment.