Water Softener Troubleshooting

Water softener troubleshooting, when it should be done? Why it has to be done? This quick guide will help you understand the importance of troubleshooting your softener and how to get the most of it.

Just like any other eletronic device, Softeners need tune ups also, for example, if there’s loss of performance, stop working, consuming too much salt or completely stop working.

However, if the main problem of your softener is poor performance and you are wondering what to do, please, use the following five troubleshooting steps:

1. Water Softener Isn’t Working Properly

The main purpose of a water softener is to remove or reduce the hardness out of the water, this process is also known as softening the water.

So, what is one of the signs that your water softener is not working properly? One of the clearest signs is level of hardness encountered on the fixtures throughout the home.

Also, if you notice that the water is living spots on glasses or a film on ceramic surfaces. Soap won’t lather as well and it will leave behind a film or scum.

Moreover, the quality of your shower can also help you determine whether the softener is working or not, for example, when you wash your hair, if you feel that your hair is sticky after you have shampooed.

All these signs indicate that it is time to perform a water softener troubleshooting.

2. What To Do If It Is Underperforming?

The best way to resolve the problem is by performing a step by step water softener troubleshooting and, there’s nothing better than to start with the most typical and easiest to fix problem. Do you know what it is?

Unless, you have a saltless water softener, you model will most likely use salt to soften water, therefore, the first water softener troubleshooting that you must do is to check the brine tank.

In order to a softener to work, the brine tank must be filled with salt pellets all the time, so, make sure to remember to refill the tank regularly, that’s the only way to keep the soft water flowing. However, sometimes softeners will cease to perform due to salt becoming encrusted in the brine tank.

So, in order to prevent the crust build up, from time to time, wash the brine tank with soap and water and rinse completely.

Also, make sure to inspect the connection between the resin tank and the mineral tank for possible crusty plug, clean it completely.

An elevated quantity of iron in water can create deposits on the bead bed which can reduce a water softener’s capability and reduce overall performance.

At your local supply store, look for iron-removing product to clean the bead bed.

3. Soft Water Cycle Mode Is On And Draining

No soft water and, yet, the storage tank is full of water, so, why is the softener in water cycle mode and draining?

It seems that the problem is a result of no brine draw and the best way to perform a water softener troubleshooting to this particular problem is to disassemble and clean the nozzle and venture.

But, how do you fix this problem? With a tooth brush, clean the parts with soap and warm water, then, wash it completely.

Now, if the parts are iron coated, you need to use a resin bed cleaner to take care of the problem. Also, make sure to check the valve drain hose to make sure that it isn’t plugged, then, look for kinks, bends or blockages in the hose.

Also, inspect the hose carefully and assure that there’s no leak between the valve and resin tank assembly. If you detect any leaks, replace the tanks’ O-valve rings.

4. No Soft Water And The Salt Level Isn’t Dropping

When this happens, it forms a gap between the water and the salt because of the elevated level of humidity or simple because you might be using the wrong kind of salt. Consequently, the salt will not dissolve in the water and, when that happens, the brine and the resin bed won’t regenerate.

The best way to fix the problem is to use a broom stick to carefully push down the salt. Once you done that check the softener program and, make sure to select and program a regeneration schedule with the timer.

5. I Still Have Hard Water

This time the water softener troubleshooting must be done at the control panel of the system. So, the first thing that needs to be done is to check the timer setting in the control panel to make sure that is set correctly. Then, re-program a new regeneration schedule.

It is also possible that, the consumption of water in your household might have increased since the date that softener was installed. So, the best thing to do here is to check the regeneration chart to make sure that the system is softening water often enough.

Another possible cause of the problem could be related to a possible water leak in the house, such as a leaky faucet or a toilet valve. A water leak can go undetected for too long which can waste hundreds of gallons of water in a short period of time.

If you find water leak in your home, the problem must be addressed as soon as possible. A fully water softener troubleshooting when done correctly might take some time to get it done, but it is worth doing it, that will is the only way to determine whether the system is still operable or if it needs to be replace.

However, as you go through the water softener troubleshooting and things start getting complicated, at this point, I would highly advise to hire a professional to perform the system troubleshooting.

Good luck!

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