Water Softener Cleaning & Sanitizing questions & answers:

Here we answer common questions about how to clean a water softner, clean the resin tank, clean the brine tank, to keep the water softener operating properly.

This article series provides an owner's guide to water softener cleaning, and sanitizing - two steps in keeping a water conditioner working properly.

Q&A on Cleaning & Sanitizing the Water Softener / Water Conditioner Brine Tank

Recently posted question & answers about water conditioner or water softener cleaning

[Click to enlarge any image] These questions and replies were posted originally

at WATER SOFTENER CLEANING & SANITIZING - home. Be sure to see the advice given there.

On 2019-10-07 by (mod) - debugging pink stains at plumbing fixtures and cleaning the water softener

Yep Greg that makes sense; I either wait until the salt is nearly exhausted or I shovel it out if I'm in a hurry; you can then reinstall the salvaged salt as long as you don't put back visibly dirty sludgy stuff.

Avoid dumping dirt into the softener brine tank.

On 2019-10-06 by Greg

I have not cleaned and sanitized eitherof the units yet. I am letting the brine tank get lightened up some before i take it out to clean it. The water in the brine tank does have a light brown hue to it and I am assuming that it is from dirt from dumping bags in.

For future reference I think it would be better to scoop the pellets in to avoid dumping the dirt captured in the bag.

I think another week or two i will be able to sanitize the system. I only plan to have the system out of service a few days while i do it. No on demand system here so that is not a worry.
I will let you know how it goes. Thank you.

On 2019-09-23 by (mod) -

Thanks for the follow-up; indeed Autotrol controls are used on many softeners.

Have you cleaned and sanitized the brine tank and then the softener?

And yes, staying in bypass can be diagnostic, but watch out: if your hot water is by tankless coil or demand type tankless water heater, watch that you don't clog the heater coil with minerals from hard water.

culliganlogan.com says that Utah water ranges in hardness from Hard (7-10.5 GPG) to Very Hard (over 10 GPG) with the most-hard water being in southern Utah.

On 2019-09-22 by Anonymous - GE Infrastructure water softener - Autotrol Control

Thank you for your help. Been hooked up sorry for the delay in answers.
I dont see any beads. I dont see rust or silt in water line although 2 months ago i had to clean the regulator and their was some small bits of rust.

I have not had the water tested yet. From neighbors I have been told the water is very hard in Hyrum Ut.
I removed the label that was stuck over the existing label on the digital display and no brand name on it. I pulled the top cover off and found a label that reads:

GE infrastructure
Milwaukee Wi.
Autotrol brand
Model 255/760
WO#2441595
Ser. No. L255250063477

I was looking at the softener discharge waste hose and it is fairly rust colored for about a 2’ up from the end of the hose which sits in the floor drain and is cast iron.
I am going to clean the brine tank as soon as it goes down some. I think i will leave the softener bypassed for a time and see what the results are.

I will search the site for a manual also.
Thank you again for the great site and responses to my Q’s

On 2019-09-1 by (mod) - contact information for Aspen Water Softeners

About a manual for your Aspen water softener, often private labels are put onto water softeners made by a different supplier.
Where is your home located?
Call local water softener companies to ask if they installed a unit in your home.
Or try

Aspen Water Solutions, LLC
999 Riverview Dr., Suite 201
Totowa, NJ 07512
201-301-6222
https://aspenwatersolutions.com

On 2019-09-17 by (mod) - softener resin beads ought not cause a pink stain

You could try sanitizing the softener -

see WATER SOFTENER CLEANING & SANITIZING

Usually when stuff is oozing out of a water softener it's resin beads - they look like tiny beads -

see WATER SOFTENER RESIN LOSS

Have you tested your water for iron?

Is there fine red clay or silt in your water supply?

Is the red showing up in both hot and cold? (Could be bacteria in the water heater)

On 2019-09-17 by Greg

The stain doesnt show as pink in the pictures as the eye does.

My bride reports that the stains are in the sinks and a load of all white laundry came out of the wash and some of them had a pink hue to them.

The stain collects at the water line in the bowl and around the drain in the sinks.

Thank you.

On 2019-09-16 by (mod) -

Perhaps you can post a photo giving me a picture of the stain and stain pattern and I can comment further

On 2019-09-16 by (mod) - pink stain in our toilets

Understanding appears only at the toilet and not at other fixtures I suspect it's an algae stain. When it's on all fixtures a pink or reddish stain is off rust. It's not likely to be a water softener problem but it's pretty easy to test if you temporarily put your water softener on bypass period.

On 2019-09-16 by Greg

Needing help finding manuals for a Aspen Water water softener. We bought a house and this unit existed.

The owner did not know much about it and what im findi g out is the company is no longer in service.
We are seeing a pink stain in our toilets and was wondering if it is related to the softener operating.

On 2018-12-07 by (mod) - odor of chlorine

Steve:

I suspect that someone tried sanitizing your water softener and either used an improper concentration or form of bleach OR the system has not been adequately flushed out.

First try an extra regeneration cycle.

If the bleach smell persists you may need to empty and rinser out the brine tank, then refill it with salt, and run another regeneration cycle.

On 2017-12-07 by Steve

We just bought a water softener and have the odor of chlorine in the basement now. Can anyone tell us why that is? Thanks. S.

On 2017-12-07 by (mod) - why does my softener smell like chlorine?

Steve:

I suspect that someone tried sanitizing your water softener and either used an improper concentration or form of bleach OR the system has not been adequately flushed out.

First try an extra regeneration cycle.

If the bleach smell persists you may need to empty and rinser out the brine tank, then refill it with salt, and run another regeneration cycle.

See the procedure details given at SOFTENER RESIN TANK SANITIZE / DISINFECT

On 2017-12-07 by Steve

We just bought a water softener and have the odor of chlorine in the basement now. Can anyone tell us why that is? Thanks. S.

On 2017-05-02 by (mod) - do I need to remove all the salt to clean my softener

Jerry

There are two acceptable answers:

Yes if you need to do a very thorough cleaning as that requires removing the salt, removing the bottom plate and other components in the brine tank and washing them all.

See those details at SOFTENER BRINE TANK CLEAN & DISNIFECT

No if the softener is not badly contaminated with mud and sludge from a long period of use and rather you're sanitizing it because it has been out of service.

See those details at SOFTENER RESIN TANK SANITIZE / DISINFECT

On 2017-05-02 by Jerry

Do I need to remove all the salt to clean my softner?

On 2017-02-27 by Quiggley

I'll keep the idea of using a clear tube in mind when I decide to take up the challenge again. For now, thanks for your assistance and suggestions.

On 2017-02-27 by (mod) - softener putting air into the water supply

You've checked what I know about to check in the brine tank;

The filter/screen on the pick-up tube in the resin tank can also give trouble on occasion, but I'm doubtful. I think we've missed an air leak somewhere. Air leaks "in" are harder to find than air or water leaks "out".

If you use clear tubing between the brine tank and softener resin tank you can watch that tubing during a regen cycle to see if you see air bubbles moving into or later out of the brine tank. That'd be diagnostic.

On 2017-02-27 by Quiggley

Disassembled and cleaned the Rotary valve, put silicon grease on all the seals and O-rings of the drain hose assembly, venture & nozzle connection to valve body, and the rotary valve assembly.

Greased the metal gears and reassembled everything.

Only thing I found was the clip holding the venture/nozzle body into the valve body wasn't snapped in on one side.

After putting everything back together, re-pressurized the system and then put softener cleaner into the brinewell (per instructions), and ran another regeneration.

After the regen, again flushed a toilet and....unfortunately, again there was air in the water line.

So....I've not found the cause. Once the air is purged, it doesn't happen again until there is another regen. Guess I'll just continue to put up with it. Doesn't seem it's caused any problems having been this way since originally installed in 2008.

On 2017-02-26 00:22:16.627514 by Quiggley

Removed, disassembled, cleaned, and reassembled the brine valve assembly. Didn't find any breaks in the brine tank tubing and all of the seals/O-rings looked good. Ran another regeneration. Afterwards, flushed a toilet and there was, again, air in the water line. I'm moving on to the rotary valve tomorrow.

...

Thanks.....I'll give this a try. The brine tank tubing/float assembly was the next thing on my list of maintenance items after checking/cleaning the nozzle & venturi. I had noticed an accumulation of salt on the sides of the float so was planning on pulling it out to clean it. Quite possible other items also need cleaning. And then I'll be taking the rotary valve apart to service.

On 2017-02-21 by (mod) - air check valve on water softeners

Quig

You might have been looking at our SOFTENER DIAGNOSTIC FAQs for water softeners at https://inspectapedia.com/plumbing/Water_Softener_Diagnostic_FAQs.php where a question or two deals with air in the water system after a water softener regen cycle.

Anyway, a leak in the brine tank tubing can be the problem. As brine is returned to the softener during a regen cycle it may be accompanied by air that later shows up at building plumbing fixtures.

You should also pull out, inspect, and clean the brine pick-up tube in the brine tank.

An air check valve located (usually) on the bottom of the brine pick-up tub is intended to prevent air from being drawn into the water softener from the brine tank.

At the end of the regen cycle the level of salty water in the brine tank falls low enough that a ball type check valve on the bottom of the brine pick-up tube drops to prevent air from being drawn out of the brine tank and into the softener.

Pull out the brine pickup tube and place the air check valve on its end into a jar of vinegar for a few hours or longer to dissolve mineral deposits including salt that may be causing it to jam. Some suppliers suggest using bleach - that makes little sense to me. Rinse the valve in fresh water and restore it into the brine tank.

If you have any doubt about the valve or if you can't convince yourself it's operating freely, just replace it. A widely-sold air check valve for brine tanks is the Fleck J-Tube 3/8 " X 34 " Long. This check valve can be trimmed, if needed, to fit your salt tank.

A more-exhaustive discussion of all of the causes of air discharge at fixtures is at https://inspectapedia.com/water/Air_Discharge_at_Faucet.php

On 2017-02-21 by Quiggley - why there was air in their water lines after regeneration by their Culligan water softener

I clicked on this link because it indicated someone had asked a question about why there was air in their water lines after regeneration by their Culligan water softener.

I didn't see, however, any answer to that question on this link. I have a Kenmore 625.393060 water softener and have the same problem of there being air in the water lines after a regeneration. Typically, my first use of water after a regeneration is with a toilet flush in the morning. There is always a noticeable release of air in the water line as the toilet tank refills. What caused this

 

On 2017-02-21 by (mod) - clean the brine tank air check valve to stop air discharge at fixtures after a softner regen cycle

Quig

A leak in the brine tank tubing can be the problem. As brine is returned to the softener during a regen cycle it may be accompanied by air that later shows up at building plumbing fixtures.

After that check, pull out, inspect, and clean the brine pick-up tube in the brine tank.

An air check valve located (usually) on the bottom of the brine pick-up tub is intended to prevent air from being drawn into the water softener from the brine tank.

The air check valve shown below is a replacement water softener brine tube air check valve produced by Fleck and widely sold at plumbing suppliers as a repair or replacement check valve for many water softener brine tanks.

See WATER SOFTENER BRINE TANK AIR CHECK VALVE for details

Also see WATER SOFTENER CHECK VALVE STUCK for an explanation of a stuck brine tank check valve as a cause of air discharge at fixtures

Also see AIR DISCHARGE at FAUCETS, FIXTURES

On 2017-02-21 by Quiggley - why there was air in their water lines after regeneration by their Culligan water softener

I have a Kenmore 625.393060 water softener and have the same problem of there being air in the water lines after a regeneration.

Typically, my first use of water after a regeneration is with a toilet flush in the morning. There is always a noticeable release of air in the water line as the toilet tank refills. What caused this?

On 2016-10-10 3 by (mod) - how to change from salt to potassium in the water softener brine tank

Best approach: remove remaining salt, clean the brine tank as above, then pour in the potassium.

Typical approach: just pour the potassium into the brine tank; the system will use up the salt, and for a cycle or two will use a salt/potassium mixture, ultimately using straight K.

On 2016-10-10 by Jack

Hi. How do I change from salt to potassium? Do let the unit run out of salt completely and then toss in the potassium, or can i just pour the potassium into the tank when the salt is now enough? I salt at the bottom of my tank and it is at the ")" mark. Can i pour the potassium in now?

On 2016-07-18 by Sandra

Thank you, mod, I will do that.

On 2016-07-16 by (mod) - strong bleach odor after sanitizing the water softener

Probably not ruined, Sandra, but indeed it can be difficult to flush all of the bleach from a system; try running extra manual regen cycles. If you cannot get rid of the concentrated bleach after running say 5 cycles you might need to replace the resin.

On 2016-07-16 by Sandra

I sanitized our new Whirlpool softener with bleach as directed. Noticed after recharging that the tank still had a strong Clorox smell and recharged again.

It sill smells. Today I noticed that I used by mistake Clorox he (concentrated, 8.25%)instead of regular household bleach 5.25 %. Did I ruin the Water softener?

On 2016-04-07 by (mod) softener brine tank is full of water

Clean the tank, check and free up a stuck brine tank float, or check for a crimped line between the brine tank and water softener. Also check for a stuck check valve on the brine tank brine tube.

On 2016-04-07 by STEVE

WHAT SHOULD I DO
MY TANK IS 3/4 FULL OF WATER ??

On 2015-11-07 by (mod) dripping sound in the water softener

I don't think so, Chris: if you mean the salt tank it sounds as if a control may be sticking; if it's at the softener itself, that's normally full of water so I'd be looking for a leak outside at a control, valve or fitting.
Check also the backwash drain line and the brine tank piping.

On 2015-11-07 by chris conner

I am new to water softeners and have a CulliganEstate 2 model. there is an audable dropping sound constantly coming from the tank is that normal?

On 2015-08-18 by (mod) water keeps coming out of softener drain

The softener is in a regeneration or "backwash" cycle.

On 2015-08-18 by shawn

I have water coming from a hose from the water softener to my sink .. I haven't filled it in a while would that be the reason?? thanks shawn

On 2015-07-24 23:18:15.859634 by (mod) identification of water softener brand to find manuals

Remigio

The water softener you cite is probably a model provided by Culligan.

If you use our CONTACT link at page bottom to contact me by email I can send you a PDF file of the operations manual for that machine.

On 2015-07-24 by Remigio Gonzalez

I have a bad timer and in the plate shows SPG Co. Ltd. Model ISG31215 FKA. Looking for the operation manual. Can you help?

mikoaz@comcast.net

On 2015-07-05 by (mod) - iron coming through a Kinetco water softener

Bill if you are sure it's iron and not bacteria then

please see IRON & SEDIMENT REMOVAL at https://InspectAPedia.com/plumbing/Water_Softener_Cleaning.php#Fe for removing accumulated iron from the water softener itself.

Separately you might need to remove iron from your water supply. Some water softeners can remove a modest level of iron but if iron levels are too high additional treatment is needed.

See WATER STAINING CONTAMINANTS at https://InspectAPedia.com/water/Water_Staining_Contaminants.php

also this PDF file should help you out

https://inspectapedia.com/water/Iron_Manganese_RemoveNDSU.pdf

On 2015-07-04 by Bill

I have a Kinetico system installed in 2003. I am getting large amount of iron through and it is staining all sinks, toilets in a couple of days. I removed and cleaned the top of the kinetico and checked that system is working correctly. I have adequate salt and have manually regenerated the system many times to no avail.

On 2015-06-21 by Sabyasachi Pathak

Respected sir/Madam,
Greeting form Hotel Reevanta...!!!
Can you tex me please what is water Softener & which perpouse used it.

On 2014-11-29 by (mod) - health risks of leaving the water softener unplugged

Probably the risks are low but it might indeed be appropriate to sanitize the water softener. If you want a definitive answer to water quality take a sample from your kitchen tap to a local water test lab. Let me know if they find anything interesting such as bacteria.

Then see WATER SOFTENER CLEANING & SANITIZING

On 2014-11-29 by Natalie

I have a Kenmore 100 water softener and my fiance unplugged it without bypassing the valve first months ago. What are the health risks associated with this..please get back to me

On 2014-10-30 by (mod)

Joy

Start by having the water tested for common contaminants before buying and installing ANY water treatment equipment. The results will guide you.

An RO system removes most contaminants but wastes a lot of water - so in my opinion is better suited as a point-of-use supply.

If you need well water disinfection use an approved system that treats and also filters - removing any excess chlorine and odors. The system you describe may work, is not familiar to me, and is certainly not widely used in the application you describe.

On 2014-10-30 by (mod)

Re-posting without disallowed advertising link

WAHANA FILTERTECH adalah perusahaan penyedia peralatan, distributor dan kontraktor pengolahan air bersih (WTP) dan pengolahan limbah (WWTP/STP)

On 2014-10-20 by Joy Dixon

we are looking for a way to chlorinate our well water to keep it cleaner. Our plumber told us that there is some type of chlorine pellets or a chlorine float that we could use that would go thru the aerator to clean and disinfect our well water ?? It was not a chlorinated but something a little cheaper.

My Brother has had breakouts on his scalp, bumps and severe itching, has been treated by his Dr 4 separate times with NO improvement so we have come to the conclusion that it HAS to be our well water. Do u know of any such chlorine treatments that I have mentioned or anything that may have knowledge of that could help our well water? Everything we have for our well is brand new.

We had everything replaced abouts 6 months ago and it costs a chunk of change! We've talked about a reverse osmosis system but that won't help the water, will it?

Look, I'm sure I sound confused, we are new in the city we live in with the exception of my oldest Brother and his wife living here, we don't want to get "taken" by any company when they realize that we know next to nothing about how to get our well water like we would like for it to be.

We are trying to research, learn and read everything but it's all so confusing and different. We have about a 1/2. horsepower pump my brother says. Any info u can email to me, I would greatly appreciate.

Question: air in plumbing after water softener recycles

(Feb 22, 2014) Jim Lotito said:

After my Culligan water softner cycles there is air in my water lines, Why?

Thanks for any help!

Reply:

Jim there is an air leak, possibly in the tubing connecting the brine tank to the water softener resin tank, OR running water for a time during the regeneration cycle may be introducing air into the building water supply from a leak in well piping. If the latter were true you'd see air at other times not just when the water softener recycles.

See AIR DISCHARGE at FAUCETS, FIXTURES

...

Continue reading  at SOFTENER CLEANING & SANITIZING or select a topic from the closely-related articles below, or see the complete ARTICLE INDEX.

Or see these

Recommended Articles

• DIAGNOSE WATER SOFTENER PROBLEMS
• WATER CONDITIONER / SOFTENER MANUALS
• WATER SOFTENER CLEANING & SANITIZING
  • BRINE TANK BRIDGING or CRUSTING
  • DIRT & DEBRIS in BRINE TANK
  • SOFTENER BRINE TANK CLEAN & DISNIFECT
  • SOFTENER RESIN TANK SANITIZE / DISINFECT
  • SANITIZE NEW WATER SOFTENER
  • WATER SOFTENER IRON & SEDIMENT REMOVAL
  • WATER SOFTENER RESINS & CLEANING COMPOUNDS
  • WATER SOFTENER SANITIZER IMPACT on SEPTICS
• WATER SOFTENER MANUAL REGENERATION
• WATER SOFTENER / TREATMENT TURN-ON - returning a water softener to service
• WATER STAINING CONTAMINANTS
• WATER TREATMENT EQUIPMENT DISINFECTION

Suggested citation for this web page

WATER SOFTENER CLEANING FAQs at InspectApedia.com - online encyclopedia of building & environmental inspection, testing, diagnosis, repair, & problem prevention advice.

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INDEX to RELATED ARTICLES: ARTICLE INDEX to WATER TREATMENT SYSTEMS

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