Water softener / water conditioner most-commonly-asked questions:

These frequently-asked questions & their answers help troubleshoot water softner problems. This article series describes procedures for diagnosing and repairing water softener or water conditioner problems including water conditioner control settings and adjustment or repair, brine tank and brine tank float cleaning and repair, and the proper amount of water softening or conditioning that is needed.

More Water Softener Diagnostics & Questions (FAQs) about Identifying, Installing, Adjusting & Repairing Water Softeners

Note: some of these questions and answers were originally posted at our Water Softeners Home Page found at WATER SOFTENERS & CONDITIONERS.

On 2019-11-19 - by (mod) - fix water softener that floods basement

Cookie:

Let's start by taking a close look at where the basement-flooding-water is coming from: is it

- from a water softener drain hose that's leaking

- a water softener control or tank that's leaking

- a drain into which the softener's drainage output is clogged and overflowing?

On 2020-10-07 by cookie

my basement floods when water softner and ironizer goes off what is the problem

On 2020-09-11 - by (mod) - contact information for Zero Point water softeners

I'm not sure, Mary;
Nothing I see in the Zeropoint water softener troubleshooting guide addresses failure of the control buttons to respond. Sometimes the problem is moisture or corrosion or a bad electrical contact; try pushing the button harder with the eraser end of a pencil;

If that doesn't work

I'd contact ZeroPoint directly for help

If you don't have the manual for your water softener you can download it from zeropoint or from

https://inspectapedia.com/plumbing/Zeropoint-Water-Softener-5600SE-Manual.pdf ZEROPOINT 5600 WATER SOFTENER MANUAL [PDF]

Plant Address
600 East Keefe Avenue
Milwaukee, WI 53212

Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 11962
Milwaukee, WI 53211
Local Phone Offices
Brookfield: (262) 782-7722
Contact Us
Muskego: (262) 679-1300
West Bend: (262) 338-6116
Oconomowoc: (262) 567-4900
Cedarburg: (262) 377-1500
Phone: (414) 962-2000
Fax: (414) 964-7440
E-mail: info@zeropointgroup.com

On 2020-09-11 by Mary E.

My zero point water softener arrows for advancing the time of day won't advance either up or downward to change the time of day? What am I doing wrong?

On 2019-11-19 - by (mod) -

Mary Ann

The most likely explanation is that the electrical receptacle into which your power cord plugs has become loose or worn internally.

That happens when the little spring clips inside the receptacle become bent apart. They will no longer pinch tightly the blades of the line cord or wall plug that you're inserting.

The safe thing to do would be to have that receptacle replaced with a new one. The danger is that you can get arcing or sparking from loose connections.

On 2019-11-19 by Mary Ann

My power supply cord won't stay plugged into the outlet. It keeps falling out when trying to plug in

On 2019-08-27 - by (mod) -

That sound like a failed control that needs replacement.

On 2019-08-26 by dennis48430@yahoo.com

I have an autotrol 440i watersoftener. The timer works fine. However, the cam does not rotate, even in manual regeneration

On 2018-08-19 by tom

turned water off to house while on vacation. Returned to find no softwater in shower. Checked to find salt tank dry..Did I ruin something by turning the water off?

On 2018-04-22 - by (mod) -

Indeed that sounds like a failed control head. Sometimes that can be repaired by disassembly, cleaning, and replacement of the various O-rings.

On 2018-04-22 by David

Thank you for your reply! Whenever the softener tries to run, it sounds like the pistons are turning for a few seconds, then it stops. Each time it tries to go through regeneration, a little water is sitting between the drain pipe and control valve.

On 2018-04-22 - by (mod) -

David

I agree it sounds as if there is a clog or blockage in the water softener, in the control head or in the resin tank itself. I don't think a brine tank problem would cause this symptom.

Aside from a failed control head valve, In the resin tank a vertical tube with a strainer on its bottom is the point of inlet that permits water to flow from the inlet side, down through the rsin, then up and out of the softener and into the buiding's water supply pipe system. If that basket were completely blocked or clogged no water could flow.

On 2018-04-22 by David

Hi, I have a Culligan water softener. Our water completely stopped running. When I put it in bypass, the water came back. I cleaned out the injector and drain line tube with CLR and cleaned off rust. There was water sitting between the drain tube and control valve. There was also water sitting inside where the injector sits. The drain line is clear but I haven’t been able to take off the line that goes to the brine tank to clean it. Water is sitting about halfway in the brine tank with no salt and there’s no hard salt clogs. When I try to start in regeneration, the softener makes a clicking noise but doesn’t run or or drain any water. The timer is set and there’s power. Does anyone know what’s wrong? Thanks!

On 2017-09-12 by (mod) - can a water softener failure cause low water pressure or flow?

Possibly,

In particular of all of your water supply is going through the water softener first, and if there were a clogger blockage in the water softener or it's Outlet or control valve, then indeed that could be the source of slow water flow or poor pressure everywhere.

Check the water pressure gauge to see if that gives you a clue about the input pressure to the water softener.

Generally if the problem were scale formation due to lack of water softening, I would expect to see a difference between week hot water pressure and stronger cold water pressure since more scale forms in the hot water system.

On 2017-09-12 by Mil

Water softener ran low( almost out). Faucets are running slow & washing machine is not filling. Is there a connection?

On 2017-08-26 by Anonymous

I think that I would also put the unit into bypass mode

On 2017-08-25 by Anonymous

Thanks if I unplug the unit will that stop everything including the trickling of water?

On 2017-08-25 by (mod) - any plumbing fixture with a slow leak into the building drain system can flood the septic

Deny

Indeed any plumbing fixture with a slow leak into the building drain system can flood the septic fields.

If you think the problem is the Aquafine water softener, a diagnosis you can confirm by noticing that water continues to run out of the brine tank or regen cycle drain line or out of the brine tank overflow, then try putting it into bypass mode and unplugging the control.

Similarly you can diagnose other areas of the home or fixtures by turning off their water supply. (With the caveat that sometimes a valve you think is "OFF" is not fully turned off so you may have to use an in-line shutoff downstream in the supply piping).

On 2017-08-25 by Deny

I have a Aquafine water softener system which seems to be trickling water. After getting our septic tanks cleaned out today the technician told me that I have a slow trickle. I told him it was probably the system regeneration working and left it at that. Later on today I went downstairs to where the drain pipes lead to the septic tanks and could still hear water trickling. I have turned off all the toilets and the washing machine was not in use. Any ideas what it could be.

On 2017-05-25 7 by (mod) - turn off the softener

Steve I'd turn off the softener. Darn: if the bypass doesn't bypass then I suspect debris clogging or a bad o-ring in the bypass valve itself.

Keep in mind that seeing repeated flushing-out of the water softener means not that water is running in the home but that the softener control is not working.

On 2017-05-25 by Steve

My softener is sending water out to my house every 3 minutes. I used the bypass on the softener and it continued to kick on every 3 minutes (so it appears it is not a valve issue). I have checked to see if one of my toilets may be calling for water and that is not the explanation. Any ideas?!

On 2017-03-27 by (mod) - Look for a water softener control reset button - or try leaving it off for 30 seconds or a minute.

Look for a reset button - or try leaving it off for 30 seconds or a minute.

Next, if you have a DMM or VOM, and IF your water softener uses a low voltage transformer for power, check that. If the softener plugs right into the 110v receptacle, check that its plug and power cord look good. With the cord unplugged, check to see that there is not zero resistance between the two prongs on the plug.

Watch out - don't fool with anything electrically live- there's the obvious risk of death by electrocution.

On 2017-03-27 by Lisa

Unplugged Culligan water softener. Plugged it back in (outlet working), nothing on digital screen. What to try next, short of service call?

On 2017-03-10 by (mod) -

Possibly yes, Bill. The system may not be using the proper salt-dose, or a control could be jammed.
Try running an extra regen cycle.
Then have your water tested.

On 2017-03-10 by Bill

Two days ago my water started tasting salty. I have a water softener system. Is there a problem with it?

On 2017-03-05 by (mod) -

Don't force the dial.
I can't tell by e-text how hard is "too hard" - what does your manual say about dial adjustment?

On 2017-03-04 by Joel

Checked on it yesterday morning, it seems to have cycled. Found in "In Serv" mode. Also checked the salt tank, no bridge, but will need to add salt soon. The water did feel slightly softer, it I may have some hard water in the System. It should flush out in a day or so. One thing though, the manual dial is hard to turn, either I'm getting weak or something is wrong with it.

On 2017-03-02 by (mod) -

First: poke into that salt to be sure it's not a "salt bridge" over a nearly empty brine tank.

Next Try a manual regen cycle with your water softener.

On 2017-03-02 by Joel

For the past few days I noticed the water was hard when taking a shower. I figured the salt was low. So I checked the salt tank. It was full of salt. Next I checked the timer/control. It was on REGEN. Figuring it would cycle that night, it would ok the next day. Next day comes, water is still hard. Checked the timer again. It does not seem to move from REGEN. What can I do next? I tried turning the manual knob, but it seems to be stuck.

On 2017-01-15 by editor@inspectapedia.com (mod)

That's helpful to know. Monday is Martin Luther King day - so the help desk may not be helping out until Tuesday.

I would try turning off power, waiting a minute, then turning it back on.
I'd review the instructions for the control settings.
I might try a manual regen cycle to see if that tells the machine to re-set itself.
All else failing, yeah, leave it on bypass.

On 2017-01-14 by Anonymous

@Robert Purtell,
Thank you for your help

It is a brand new unit, so maybe best to wait until Monday to call the help desk.

On 2017-01-14 by (mod) -

Robert the two common causes of a flooded brine tank are a float control that's not closing when it should (or is broken down in the float tube) and a control head at the softener that's stuck in regen mode. I'd be inclined to pull out the float control and examine it for damage as this is a less costly and easire-to-replace part than the control head.

On 2017-01-14 by Robert Purtell

Thanks for your advice, I checked the float, moved it up and down, it is all the way to the top, the only way to stop the flow of water is to put it on bypass.

On 2017-01-14 by (mod) - whirlpool water softener, it keeps running and the tank is filling with water

Robert:

Check the brine tank float control - I suspect that devices is stuck. Sometimes you can work the vertical float arm free with some gentle wiggling.

On 2017-01-14 by Robert purtell

I just installed a whirlpool water softener, it keeps running and the tank is filling with water and going out the overflow. Any ideas why this is happening?

On 2017-01-14 by (mod)

Robert:

Check the brine tank float control - I suspect that devices is stuck. Sometimes you can work the vertical float arm free with some gentle wiggling.

On 2017-01-14 by Robert purtell

I just installed a whirlpool water softener, it keeps running and the tank is filling with water and going out the overflow. Any ideas why this is happening?

On 2016-10-08 by Anonymous

why does my flow meter on my culligan 9in gold series not work

On 2016-08-27 by (mod)

Henry at SOFTENER CLEANING & SANITIZING https://InspectAPedia.com/plumbing/Water_Softener_Cleaning.php we discuss the formation of a Salt Bridge that often occurs when salt crystals or pellets become stuck together. I think this can be a result of both too-high water level in the brine tank for too-long, or it may be a property of the particular salt product being used.

Inspect the brine tank and break up the salt bridge earlier in its formation. For now you may have to remove the coagulated mass if it's a large lump.

On 2016-08-27 by Henry

We have a new softener we use nature own salt it has turned into one hard ball like a rock. Do you know why

On 2016-08-14 by (mod)

Possibly your tank has formed a salt bridge -a crust of salt that makes it appear that the tank is full of salt when in fact there is just an upper "skin" of salt over water. Try poking at the salt top.

On 2016-08-13 by Caroline White

Hi there, I have an Autotrol 268/762C model and the check salt light on the display has come on. I have check the salt levels in the brine tank and they are fine. Can you please advise why this light is on and what I need to do?

On 2016-05-08 by (mod)

Sandy: If the water softener is un-plugged, its electrical controls won't be in operation but water could still be passing through the device. Put the device into BYPASS mode if you want it to stop doing anything to your water.

On 2016-05-08 by Sandy

My water softener is un plunged and is still running

On 2016-04-04 by Bjb

I have a Reynolds on demand softener and a Reynolds autotrol performa filter valve series 440i but not sure how they work together or if I need both. Any help appreciated.

On 2016-03-12 by (mod)

Bob

I don't blame you for asking. The Sears owners manual for your water softener model 625.348471 says that if you see an error code in the water softener faceplate you should call Sears for service: 1-800-426-9435

But later in the manual Section 5 p. 20 you'll see that if you see an error code 04 in the display, the problem is probably one of the following: (arranged from most-likely to least likely in order from left to right)

motor inoperative / wiring harness or connection to switch / position switch / valve defect causing high torque

In fact for ANY error code Err 01 - Err 04 for this Sears water softener the advice is the same as I just gave above. An error code of Err 05 is the only one that points to something different: a problem with the face plate.
If you don't have the manual for your Sears water softener you can download one as a PDF file from c.searspartsdirect.com or use our page bottom CONTACT link and I can send you a copy of our PDF for your unit.

On 2016-03-12 by Bob

Should have been 04

I have a sears model number 625.348471 and ther is an error code n04 on the screen. Anybody know what that means

On 2016-01-17 by Anonymous

Discharge holes keep draining water is it supposed to do that

On 2016-01-06 by (mod)

When the timer reaches an hour at which a regen cycle is scheduled it should trip components in the control that in turn open a valve to send water into the brine tank.

A too high brine tank water level suggests that the brine tank float control is stuck or not working.

On 2016-01-06 by Andrew

I have an old softener, nothing digital in the control. The softener stopped cycling, but I still heard that soft ticking, so I assumed everything was working properly except the timer. I ordered a new timer, but unsure if it is working. I have 2 questions. 1. Is there a way to test the timer to see if it is working properly? Would it show on a volt meter? 2. Does the softener not cycle if the water level in the brine is too high?

On 2015-07-01 by Mike Celedonia

I can not get the softener to manually regenerate I have taken it apart and cleaned all of it still will not work

Water Softener Control Operation Problems & Questions

Question: How do we figure out the settings for our Autotrol 255/460i water softener? Our water hardness is 30 gpg and we have 2 ppm of iron.

How do I set the regeneration push pins on my Commers Model 24C?

We are trying to figure out what to set our softener at. We have a 60,000 Autotrol 255/460i. Our hardness is 30gpg, we have 2ppm of iron, and we have 5 people in our home. Can you help me out in trying to figure out the capacity setting, and the salt dial? - Krystine / Deloras

Hey there, thanks for the awesome website!
I have a Commers Model 24C. The thing just isn't working at all. I think the regeneration cycle isn't set right. I have no idea what to do with the push/pull pins, or what the red arrow thingy means on the push pin area.

There is another dial that is 1-16, and I set it in the middle to 8 just now, though I have no idea what to do. Could you please tell me how to set this water softener please? Note: I have 5 people, we use lots of water, and right now it is totally hard. - Tim

Reply:

Krystine, and Tim: in the article at WATER SOFTENER ADJUSTMENT & CONTROLS we describe how the water softener is typically set based on water usage and grains of hardness, and we include tables that show suggested salt doses and recharge frequency for hard water.

In a separate article DIAGNOSE WATER SOFTENER PROBLEMS we discuss what to do if the water softener is not working.

In general, adjust the water softener capacity setting according to your manual and our examples discussed throughout the article above. If you don't have a manual for your Autotrol, let me know and I can help you find one. Autotrol water softeners are produced by GE Osmonics (see GEWater.com). A sketch of your control is shown at left.

Typically capacity for a water softener is a number from 1 to 99 kilograins.

Suppose your water conditioner capacity setting is adjusted to 30 kilograins (1st column at left side of the salt dose able).

The softener regen cycle may need to be more frequent depending on your actual water volume use - you'll know that your softener is not regenerating often enough when you can't get a shampoo lather going in the shower.

How the Push-Pull "Skipper" Pins work on a water softener regen cycle control

Tim: about those pushpins on the water conditioner control dial:

On some water softener controls such as yours and the example we show in the photograph (above left), the push pins or levers (Autotrol manuals refer to these as Skipper Pins mounted on the Skipper Wheel) are mounted on a round dial that rotates under control of the water conditioner timer or "clock".

There may be seven such pins, corresponding to 7 days of a weekly cycle, or (on the unit above) 12 such pins, giving control of the water conditioner on a 12-day cycle.

On our photo example at left each pin inserted into the water conditioner timer dial will add two minutes to the softener regeneration cycle time.

Water conditioners (water softeners) may work differently on which way to push or pull the pin (see your manual or instructions printed right on the control cover) but on most, pulling the pin out skips that regen day or period while pushing the pin in (towards the control) means a regen cycle will occur at that day or period. The skipper pins or tabs are a small metal tab mounted on the control wheel. When a pin is pushed in (towards the control), as the dial is rotated by the timer, the tab comes into contact with a mechanical switch that actually starts a regen cycle.

So on a 7 day control you can have a regen cycle every day (push in all the pins) or every other day, or once a week, etc. The 12-pin dial is allowing you to set the regen cycle less often, to as little as once in 12 days. Below, using an older Culligan water conditioner illustration as a model we illustrate:

• The salt dose (the green arrow in our illustration at left) which may be your other "dial" on your machine) (on machines that have that control) is set depending on water hardness. To change the salt dose you'll have to loosen a setscrew. See How Much Salt to Use in a Water Softener for details.
• The water softener regen cycle frequency (the blue arrow in our illustration at left, which is one of the dials on machines like yours) is set depending on the rate of water usage in the home. Using more water means you need to run a regeneration cycle on the water conditioner more often.
• See Water Softener Regeneration Cycle for details, or try setting your machine to every other day (as you have 5 people in the home, using a lot of water) and see how that works.
• A clock dial or timer adjustment (the red arrow in our illustration ) allows you to set the timer for your equipment to the right time of day or night. Your machine will work regardless of whether it really knows what time it is, but setting it to the correct hour and AM or PM will allow the machine to perform its regen cycle late at night when no one is running water.

Even without the instruction manual (I'd ask the manufacturer to send one if you don't have it), you can figure out which way the push-pull pins operate by manually rotating the dial. You'll see that a pin trips the softener to run through a regen cycle as you rotate the dial.

Follow-up from Kristine / Deloras:

I Wrote a question on 10/20/11 about my Autotrol 255valve/400 series. That water keeps flowing out of the drain hose. The book said to change the valve stem return spring. Where do I find this spring, the manual does not show where this is located on a diagram.

Reply:

Deloras or Kristine: because you are describing a water softener that seems to be stuck in regen cycle, endlessly pumping briny water thorough the resin tank, I suspect a problem in the control mounted on the softener itself, not the brine refill control in the salt tank. (If it were the brine refill control that were stuck your salt tank would fill up with water). The valve stem return spring will be inside the primary control. It is not a part that you are expected to replace yourself. You will need to contact your Autotrol dealer for service.

Question: water softener regen cycle won't stop water softener keeps on draining

I have a autotrol 255 valve / 400 series control water conditioning system. flowing water is coming out of the drain hose after regeneration. - Deloras 10/20/11

Reply:

Deloras,

If you mean that after the water softener regeneration cycle has completed the water softener never stops sending water out of its drain hose then the control valve is stuck and needs repair or replacement. Try a couple of manual regen cycles first to see if that can free up the control valve.

If that doesn't work, see our water softener diagnosis & repair suggestions for a long-running backwash or regen cycle at Water Softener Keep Running Longer Than it Should.

See the water softener control explanation & troubleshooting guides at

• DIAGNOSE WATER SOFTENER PROBLEMS
• WATER SOFTENER BACKUP, FLOODING, LEAKS
• WATER SOFTENER ADJUSTMENT & CONTROLS

Question: Lindsey Ecodyne Water softener control settings

I have an Lindsey Ecodyne Water softener and I have cleaned out the brine tank and tubing. I can't figure out why my brine tank is not getting any water? The control head has only 2 knobs. One with the days and times and the other that says extra cycle. The day/time knob says "loosen and tighten" a assumed this was to set the time and day b/c this allows you to rotate the knob. This knob also has 7 peg/buttons (at 2am) that can be pressed in an pulled out. I assumed these were for choosing what night you wanted your system to run.

I pushed 2 of the buttons in bc I need about 40000grains to refresh and it's a 20k grain tank, so i figured 2xs a week. The parts I really have no idea about are the "white plastic screw/knobs that can be screwed in and out with a wrench" Are these valves? There's one on the back side of the control head area that is just before the "out". Then there are 2 more small ones on the same side(right side if looking at it head on).

Then I also have a three valve bypass(with handles) that has been installed in the piping in the house before the 2 pipes go into the softener tank. Is there something I'm missing: tubes attachments in service position? White plastic screw looking valve adjustment? Do I need to refill my brine tank after emptying it? Any help would be great! I can send pictures if needed. Thanks - Adam 8/22/12

Reply: how to contact Ecodyne for water softener information

Adam, I'm not sure what parts you're looking at. Often a time control on some water softeners has pins or screws that are set up or down through a round rotating dial or timer face plate so that as the timer plate rotates (under clock control) as a pin encounters (or does not encounter) a trip lever it will cause the system to process a regeneration cycle.

Use the contact-us link found at page top or bottom to send us photos of the part you are asking about and we can look it up in the Ecodyne Water Softener Manual for you if needed - but we'll need the model number

Where to find Ecodyne & Whirlpool Water Softener Manuals

Ecodyne produces a range of water conditioning equipment including models sold under the Whirlpool brand as well as industrial water softeners & equipment.

For Whirlpool brand water softeners made by Ecodyne, use this contact information: Tel: 1-866-986-3223 Email: info@ecodynewatertreatment.com

For direct contact with the company and for their commecial equipment see:

Ecodyne Industrial, 1270 Frontenac Road, Naperville, IL 60563 Tel: 1 800-228-9326 (USA Only) Tel: +1 630-961-5043 Fax: 1 800-671-8846, Customer Service: 1 800-228-9326, Email: customers@ecodyneind.com, Website: http://www.ecodyneind.com/

(Dec 22, 2014) robert plumm said:
Brine in the salt tank model 300

Question: slow water flow at softener

(Dec 28, 2014) Bryan Bond (UK) said:
Regeneration programme functioning correctly
Overnight water pressure inlet fine outlet pressure low to trickle.
Cause unknown?

Reply:

Bryan

Sounds like a stuck water conditioner control or a clog in the control or in piping. What happens if you put the unit on bypass?

Question: water softener only works on manual regen

(Jan 2, 2015) Leo said:
Water softener does not appear to work unless I manually kick off a regeneration process. Time is set properly (and scheduled for 2:00 AM regen), if I let the scheduled process run as normal does not use any salt and we eventually will notice the water getting harder. If I manually start the process, seems to work fine.

Reply:

Leo chances are the control or timer motor is stuck and needs replacement.

Question: water softener says no water being used

(Jan 6, 2015) Anonymous said:
my watersoftner is showing 0 average daily gallons

Reply:

So if you are using water either the softener is in bypass mode or the meter is not working.

Question: water softener display says missed rinse

(Jan 8, 2015) Raz said:
My Callahan water softer shows missed rince

Reply:

Raz

Try an extra water softener re-generation cycle run manually. If the softener continues to fail to operate automatically it needs repair, probably to the timer or control head.

Question: water softener leaked and spilled water

17 January 2015 Sam Morerod said:
My water softener overflowed and flooded a portion of my garage. How do I find "trouble shooting" directions to see if this an electrical fail or mechanical fail, and what suggestions do you have on cleaning it out?

Reply:

Sam

If you have the installation/operation manual for your softener (or give us the brand and model) you should find a troubleshooting chart special for that appliance in the instructions.

I'd start by checking the brine tank float if the water overflowed from the brine tank, then I'd run an extra regen cycle to watch what happens to see where water is leaking or overflowing.

Question: salty water coming out of our water softener

(Aug 23, 2014) Len said:
For the last 2 weeks the water that comes out of my shower is sometimes salty and the ice maker is suddenly making salty ice. Is this a water softener issue?

Reply:

Len

Quite possibly.

The softener may need to be cleaned, then check the salt dose settings against the current hardness of your water.

Then run a regen cycle

Test the output water for hardness and for salt level (the hardness you can do with a home test, the salt may require help from a water test lab)

If the water is salty there may be a sticking control or valve in the water softener system.

Question: water softner regeneration cycle timer operation

(Sept 23, 2014) Brian said:
I have the clock timer setup on top of my tank with the pushpins extended to set the regeneration time. My question is, how does the extended pushpin timer differentiate AM from PM?

Reply:

Brian

Pushpins indeed don't know if it's day or night. They don't really know anything.

The total circumference of the water softener timer dial will represent (usually) 24 hours and it's the position on the dial of a pin that has been pushed on that starts a regen cycle when that pin comes around past a trip lever in the control.

Typically the AM hours are on a white half of the dial and the PM or night hours are on the black half of the dial.

That's why it's also important to turn the dial the proper time of day.

Question: air discharge at faucets after installing water softener

(Mar 14, 2015) Anon said:
Just had a Culligan Medalist water softener installed a few weeks ago and since then the kitchen faucet frequently sputters- not just after regen but intermittently throughout the day. What is causing this?

23 May 2015 Pavel said:

Hey, My home faucets leak air in the first seconds when I turn the cold water on. I have a water softener control that makes a sound of a leaking water/air. I also noticed that the control stuck at "Rinse". I refilled salt and put the control wheel to "In Service". (After I put it to "In Service", the softener did nto make any sounds). After several days, I noticed that the control wheel was again in "Rinse" position and sound of leaked air/water started again. Please let me know what it can be. I really appreciate your help.

Reply:

Anon,

When a new water softener is installed it may be necessary to purge excess air from the resin (ion exchanger) tank of the water softener. Normally this is done as part of the water softener sanitizing procedure - a step that's appropriate when installing new equipment, after replacing resin, or when a system needs to be cleaned of a bacterial contaminant.

See WATER SOFTENER CLEANING & SANITIZING

Leaks in the water softener piping or tubing can also be a source of air discharge at faucets.

Consider that an air leak in a softener brine tube might leak brine out and air into the softener whence it might enter your piping system; air might enter at a bad O-ring or gasket or as you'll read in the article I suggest, some other source.

Pavel

There may be a water softener problem or air leak in its piping. Also search InspectApedia.com for "Air Discharge at Faucets" to read about the common sources of this trouble.

If you still have air discharge at faucets after cleaning and sanitizing the water softener, take a look at this diagnostic article for a complete list of causes of air sputting at faucets:

AIR DISCHARGE at FAUCETS, FIXTURES at inspectapedia.com/water/Air_Discharge.htm

Question:

(Apr 6, 2015) Sharon said:
Who in the Parkland, FL area services softener units monthly? Add salt, chlorine and any basic repairs.

Reply:

Sorry but to avoid conflict of interest InspectApedia has no financial relations with and does not refer specific vendors of services. Try your local yellow pages or online phone directory of water softener service companies: there are doezens of them including companies who are happy to provide regular visits to check the salt level and add salt to your water conditioner.

Question: water softener salt usage rate too high

(Jan 5, 2015) John said:
Why does the salt in the brine tank go down so quickly? and What level in the brine tank should the salt be at?

Reply:

John,

Without some measurement specifics I'm not sure just how quick is "quickly" but if the salt usage rate seems abnormal to you I can suggest a couple of possib ilities:

1. there was a salt crust or dome formed in the brine tank giving a false indication of the salt level until the dome collapsed and fell-in

2. the softener regeneration cycle is set improperly to run too often or use more salt than needed

3. the softener has been stuck in regen cycle

4. the brine tank float assembly is not working properly

Question: Marlo MP 25S water softener uses too much salt

(Feb 13, 2015) Mike said:
I have a Marlo MP 25S, it will use as much salt as I put in it. If I fill it with about 160lbs is uses it in 3-4 days. At that point the water is so soft that it is dangerous getting in and out of the tub because of slipperiness. Right now I put about 20 lbs /wk in it and the water is pretty good however, that is a pain in the neck. The manual says it should use 12lbs/regeneration. I have checked and reset the floats and brine tank level per the manual.

Reply:

Mike

Sure sounds as if the system is stuck in regen-cycle mode

(Feb 18, 2015) Mike said:
What is the fix for being stuck in regen-cycle mode?

Reply:

If exercising the controls and running through a manual regen cycle don't fix this trouble then typically you'll need to repair or replace the control head.

Question:

(Feb 6, 2015) Anonymous said:
I have a Sears Kenmore water softener 150...the panel is showing a large E surrounded by three arrows...what is that?

Reply:

Anon:

Try the following: disconnect the water softener from power (unplug its power transformer from the wall receptacle). Wait for 6 minutes. Plug the transformer back in. If the error code returns then there is a defect that needs correction.

You want to pick up a copy of the owners & installation manual for your Sears UltraSoft 150 water softener. While there are companies who sell these manuals online I suggest that instead you contact Sears directly: first to be sure you're getting the correct manual and second because most likely you will obtain a copy of the Sears water softener manual for free from the manufacturer.

The manual includes a complete table of water softener error codes for your model.

Display Codes & Error Codes for the Sears Kenmore 100/150 Water Softeners

SR 22 = identifies the model as UltraSoft 100 (Press & hold the SELECT switch to display this)

SR 24 = identifies the model as Ultra Soft 150

- - = valve in service: the unit is in fill, brining, backwash, or fast rinse

- P = the valve is rotating between positions

P ---: Position switch operation. Letter = switch closed, dash = switch open. Use OFF/HOLD button to cycle the valve through its positions.

Err 01, Err 03, Err 04: motor inoperative / wiring harness or connection to switch / position switch / valve defect causing high torque

Err 05: faceplate timer (PWA)

Contact Sears at 1-800-426-9345

Contact Sears for parts at 1-800-473-7247

Contact Sears for repair service at 1-800-827-6655

Sears Roebuck & Co., 3333 Beverly Rd., Hoffman Estates IL 60179 USA.

For Sears Water Softeners that use an electronic display / program timer, if you disconnect the water softener from electrical power (un plug it) and re-connect it to power (plug it back in) you will see the Sears Water Softener model code and a test number displayed in the display window for 4 seconds. Make a note of it. On re-connecting to power you'll need to re-set the present time (you'll see the time flashing in the display) using the up and down buttons. Here are a few of the Sears Error Codes from the manual for the UltraSoft 100. Your product should be similar:

Repeated pressing of the SELECT button will cycle through TIME, HARDNESS, RECHARGE (regeneration time of day), SALT EFFICIENCY (this adjust the salt dose where the standard assumption is 4000 grains of hardness per pound of salt) [to find this setting you'll have to press and hold the SELECT button for 3 seconds or longer],

SR22 or SR24: use the SELECT button to set the present time in the display. Then use the UP or DOWN buttons to set the correct time.

HARDNESS nn (where nn is 25 for example). Use the UP or DOWN buttons to set the hardness to the hardness of your water supply in grains per gallon. If your water contains iron you'll want to increase the hardness setting:

Add (Iron ppm) x 5 to the hardness setting. For example if your water contains 2 ppm of iron, add (2 x 5 = 10) to the grains of hardness number setting.

 

Question: Whirlpool model WHES40 water softener repairs

15 May 2015 Kenneth Fliesser said:

I have a whirlpool model WHES40. The brine tank is filled with water.Whirlpool phone help line said I need a Rotary valve service as the hose connected to the Nozzle and Venturi housing doesn't have any suction and is peeing out water when I disconnect it from the housing? I have already cleaned the entire Nozzle and Venturiand wonder if it's really the Brime Valve assembly/float? Would like to try this fix first as the parts are expensive and the wife wants this resolved today as she fears the hard water is going to destroy her fixtures. Can you explain the exact procedure to adjust the brime valve asssembly/float. Thank you in advance.

Reply:

Kenneth:

If the brine tank float is stuck then indeed we may not get the right control over the water level in the tank. You can tell if the float is stuck: see if the vertical rod moves freely up and down. With such a high water level it should be pushing the float control switch closed.

Details about how to check and perhaps fix this problem are in a companion article in the More Reading article list (above) titled BRINE TANK WATER TOO HIGH

found at BRINE TANK WATER TOO HIGH

Try that and let us know how that works for you

Question:

(Feb 11, 2013) Sarg s. said:

The city recently came in and changed our water reader and once they did our water consumption went from 10,500 gallons to 55,500 gallons of water in a 28 day cycle. The only thing running when we were notified was the water softener BUT I do not know for sure if it was in its cycle for the day or if it was the problem. The thing is the city just replaced their head in our basement a day before we started wasting water. WHat gives, if anything? Is this normal or was it just our luck? Any ideas would be great. Thanks

Question:

(Feb 15, 2013) Shannon - in New Castle said:

I'm new to having a water softener.. I don't know how to use this thing, don't know how to adjust it, and can't get it to cycle. How often should it cycle for 2 people living in the house? There are NO stickers or labels on it anywhere to tell me what make/model/mnfctr it is either. I'm pretty sure the dern thing hasn't run in over a week now, the water is starting to smell really strong... HALP!

Reply:

x

Question:

(Feb 8, 2014) kawika said:

Similar to the question "discolored water after water softener regen cycle". I cleaned the brine tank but I still get discolored water afar regeneration. We have only noticed the discoloration in the 2nd bath toilet and tub, nowhere else. it clears up after 3 flushes.

Reply:

Kawika, I'm just guessing, but it seems to me that if water looks different colors at different fixtures in the building I'd think the root source is not the softner (that all water passes through) but perhaps the piping or some other contaminant, or iron, or debris source.

If you see it mostly at a toilet it could be worth cleaning debris out of the toilet tank too.

Reader says:

he discoloration is only present immediately after a regeneration cycle. Why only in the toilet/tub is unknown. If it were the piping or other source it should be present at all times.

Reply:

K
I agree with your reasoning, more or less; sometimes a fixture that runs water faster (like a tub) will stir up and show debris that slower running fixtures don't. A toilet would offer the opposite explanation: debris often accumulates in the toilet tank - in part because the relatively slow fill rate doesn't stir it up enough to flush out when the toilet is flushed.

Start (because it's easy) by taking a look in the toilet tank; look for deposits on the tank walls or crud on the tank bottom; that may point to a water supply debris problem; if there are yellow stains but no deposits more often that points to iron in the water;

With that simple look out of the way and assuming we want to pursue the water softener, I'd check the softner brine tank - in these articles we describe cleaning and disinfecting the brine tank. It's tempting to also run a disinfectant cycle through the water softner itself but I would not do that without knowing the brand and model and then checking the manufacturer's cleaning instructions.

Summarizing: try:

1. checking and cleaning the brine tank
2. running the softener through an extra regen cycle

Reader says:

Toilet tank is clean. Cleaned brine tank, manually ran two regenerations…next scheduled regeneration had no water discoloration…latest regeneration (Today) had the discoloration back in toilet (cleared after 4 flushes).

Reply:

K
are we certain that the incoming water from the source is not the origin of the discoloration you're seeing? Have you tested that water - ahead of any treatment equipment?

Question: white residue in dishwasher

(Feb 16, 2014) stanley costello said:

i get a light powder like residue on my dishes after a dishwashing cycle

Reply:

Stanley,

I've seen this deposit in more than one circumstance: using too much dishwasher detergent, very hard water supply, and on occasion, debris that needs to be cleaned from the dishwasher bottom.

Question:

(June 7, 2014) Ann said:

Just set up new digital water softener. finished settings and run regeneration cycle. It carried out regeneration adn then started cycle all over again ? what is wrong pleaase - what should I do?

Question: replace algae-contaminated water softener?

(June 9, 2014) David Williams said:

have well water system. had a bad algae bloom. water co. said softener had to be replaced. could it have been cleaned, repaired instead?

Reply:

David

I'm unclear why a dirty water softener would need replacement; someone is giving expensive advice that's safe for them and costly for you. Instead I would follow the water softener cleaning and disinfection procedure in your water softener's instruction manual or see our water softener cleaning procedure article at

inspectapedia.com/plumbing/Water_Softener_Cleaning.php

Question: cleaned water softener, lost prime

(June 29, 2014) Dave said:

I cleaned my water softner tank and now I can't get the prime back. Please help!

Reply:

Dave,

If you mean your well pump has lost prime just search inspectApedia for "LOST WELL PRIME" or "HOW TO PRIME THE PUMP" to see procedural details.

If you mean the water softener is not filling the brine tank you will want to check for disconnected tubing, a clogged check valve, or a clogged or improperly set (e.g. on bypass) control valve.

...

Continue reading  at WATER SOFTENER OUTPUT COLORS DEBRIS STAINS ODORS or select a topic from the closely-related articles below, or see the complete ARTICLE INDEX.

Or see these

Water Softener Diagnosis & Repair Articles

• DIAGNOSE WATER SOFTENER PROBLEMS
• WATER SOFTENER ADJUSTMENT & CONTROLS
• WATER SOFTENERS & CONDITIONERS - home
  • BRINE TANK BRIDGING or CRUSTING
  • DIAGNOSE WATER SOFTENER PROBLEMS
  • BRINE TANK WATER TOO HIGH
  • BRINE TANK WATER TOO LOW
  • WATER SOFTENER BACKUP, FLOODING, LEAKS
  • WATER SOFTENER RUNS TOO LONG
  • WHITE MINERAL SCALE DEPOSITS on FIXTURES
• WATER CONDITIONER / SOFTENER MANUALS
• WATER SOFTENER OPERATING CYCLES

Suggested citation for this web page

WATER SOFTENER TROUBLESHOOTING FAQs-3 at InspectApedia.com - online encyclopedia of building & environmental inspection, testing, diagnosis, repair, & problem prevention advice.

INDEX to RELATED ARTICLES: ARTICLE INDEX to WATER TREATMENT SYSTEMS

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