Common Water Softener Problems and Solutions

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A few months ago I realized that my water softener is not softening water. We even start observing limescale build-up on washroom sanitary. This was a thing to worry about, as we operate the dishwasher daily. I called and consult different professionals and expert plumbers but still, the problem was there. In the meantime, I researched a lot about the water softener problems and got to know that, it’s all because of salt build-up inside the tank.

And you know what; it took 10-15 minutes to fix the problem that I have been trying to solve for the past couple of months.

Since I researched a lot about water softener problems so I decided to get other some benefit from it.

Time is precious and so money is.

Don’t waste it on different plumbers for guessing the problem.

Therefore, for your convenience, I have jotted down all the possible problems of water softener in this article.

Just scroll down to find your desired water softener problem and get the solution right now.

Here you go!

10 Possible Water Softener Problems:

Problem 1: Low Water Pressure:

Possible  Reason:

There could be numerous reasons behind low water pressure such as:

• The sediment filter may be clogged
• The resin bead may be clogged
• Resin bead may break and clog a fixture

Solution:

• If the sediment filter is clogged, clean or replaced the sediment filter
• If the resin bead is the culprit, then clean the tank and set the water softener to regenerate more.
• If you feel that resin bead has clogged a fixture then clean the fixtures and flush the pipes.

Problem 2: Hard Water and Soft Water Get Mixed Up

Possible Reason:

This problem is caused by the improperly cut distributer. If it is cut too short, the distributor can’t reach O- ring in the control valve in the brine draw thereby producing the mixed water.

Solution:

Put the water valve in brine draw and see how long it takes for saltwater to reach the drain, if salty water reaches the drain, chances are distributor is short. Check both O- ring and distributor.

Problem 3: Water Meter Is Not Working

Possible reason:

When the water meter is not working properly and not showing any water usage display. Probably, the reason could be:

• The water flow meter might be broken
• The timer may become faulty

Solution:

The water meter displays information about water usage. If it does not do so, then it is recommended to

Either Replace the water flow meter or replace the timer with a new one.

Problem 4: Water Leakage

Possible reason:

Sometimes water leaks through the drain due to piston seal failure despite being valve in the service position. Also, it may be because of cracked water-carrying components.

Solution:

Check the piston and pinched or torn. The seal should be replaced. If you found any foreign material between the piston seals and piston try to get rid of it. if it’s because of any crack in the water carrying component then replace it with a new one.

Problem 5: Brine Tank Is Filling With Water Instead of Drawing Brine Into the Softener:

Possible reason:

This happens when the control valve is in the brine draw position but is refilling the tank instead. The culprit is the back pressure on the injector.

Solution:

Check the drain flow during brine draw. If there is no flow the drain line or control valve is plugged. If there is large flow water is bypassing internally. You need to check the blockage in the control valve or drain and repair it.

Problem 6: The Brain Tank Is Overflow:

Possible reason:

The control valve is putting too much water in the brine tank. This is less likely to happen if the valve is installed with a safety brine valve.

Solution:

Look at the O-ring inside the brine valve to check if it’s pinched or missed.

• Check to make sure that the refill time is properly set on the valve timer.
• Access the brine line flow control.
• Inspect the brine valve to see if it’s stuck in the open position.

Problem 7: Water Softener Is Producing Quite Salty Water:

Possible reason:

Following are the possible reason for salty output water

• The drain hose may be clogged
• Water softener rotor valve may be faulty
• Rotor valve seals may be leaking

Solution:

Try to unclog the drain hose. If the rotor valve or its seal is the culprit, then replace it with the new one. Because the rotary valve directs the water to a softener to soften it and flush the resins filter.

Problem 8: The Softener Is Producing Hard Water:

Possible reason:

Sometimes softener produces hard water. Producing hard water is not a softener’s job.  The following could be the possible reason behind it:

• Salt tank might be empty
• Salt bridge may be formed in the tank
• Depleted resin
• Venture may be clogged or damage
• Rotor position may break
• Switch or failed timer

Solution:

Once you have found the culprit behind this problem, try to solve it by:

• Replace the water softener resin bead
• Cleaning or Replacing the water softener venture
• Replace the water softener rotor position switch
• Replacing the water softener timer

Problem 9: High Amount of Iron in Softened Water:

Possible cause:

Sometimes water softeners can’t hold iron and thereby start releasing a high amount of iron in the water. Possibly the problem lies in the regeneration process.

Solution:

For this, you should increase the regeneration frequency. You can also use different water softener cleaners through your system to get rid of iron.

Problem 10: Dirty or Faulty Resin Beads:

Possible cause:

Resin beads are termed as faulty if they fail to trap calcium and magnesium. Also, you will notice parts of the resin bead in the output water.

Solution:

If you notice your system recharging more frequently, or you find small parts of beads in your water you need to replace the beads or clean them.

Ao smith water softener problems:

• They Lack Certifications
• Their system is not a complete solution
• Limited Warranty
• They need recurring servicing
• There is no transparency in their materials.

Whirlpool water softener problems:

• No Power: If you doubt there might be a problem with your power outlet, test the outlet with an electrical outlet tester.
• Not Enough Salt: make sure that the salt level is at least 1/4 full. Ideally, it should be 3/4 full, so top it up if necessary and initiate the regeneration process by pressing the touch-hold pad until the message “Recharge Now” appears.
• SALT BRIDGES: To check for salt bridges, take a broom handle or something similar and gently push it down into the salt until it reaches a hard surface (not the floor or sides). If you want to remove the bridge, carefully break it with a broom handle while being careful not to scratch or damage the inside of the unit.
• LEAKY SOFTENER TANK: This problem is bit easy to understand, as a small leak may take time to reveal itself. Leaks are commonly covered under your warranty which for a Lowe’s Whirlpool water softener
  includes two-year full parts and labour, three-year limited electronics, and ten-year limited on tanks
  and resin media.
• NO SOFT WATER: It is likely your water is hard if you notice hard water spots and are having trouble removing scale from your faucets and appliances. It will also not feel soft, such as feeling dry and itchy after taking a shower or finding suds aren’t forming in your kitchen sink. This issue can be resolved by a licensed plumber.

Some Important Considerations:

Water softeners are really very helpful and affordable products, but they require regular checkup. Checking up is minimal and very cheap. Few practical and very handy tips are given below.

1. Check the salt regularly
2. Use good salt for softener.
3. Know how to clean Water Softener Brine Tank
4. Know how to spot issues
5. When in doubt, Call experts

Common Water Softener Problems

Water softeners are a popular water treatment system that can remove up to 80% of the dissolved minerals from water. However, water softener problems can often arise and need to be addressed to function properly.

There are many potential causes of water softener problems, such as hard water, over-softening, improper installation, and more. Here we will discuss some of the most common water softener problems and how they can be fixed! Water softeners can look complicated, but they are often really easy to fix. There are two things you need to do. First, identify the problem. Second, buy the tools that will fix it.

First Things First – Identify the Problem

Check the bypass valve on your water softener: One of the most frequent problems with water softeners is that they go into “bypass.” This means that the household water isn’t running through the softener. The bypass valve is generally installed in water softeners on top of the media tank. If your water softener enters bypass, the media tank’s water will not be softened. Some water softeners give you the option of shutting off the bypass valve, so look first there. A blocked or damaged valve may also prevent the machine from working correctly.

• Check the water softener’s power: Most water softeners use electricity to run a timer that controls regeneration patterns. Ensure the conditioner’s voltage transformer is in place, connected, and operational.
• Check your water softener’s salt tank: Maintaining the right amount of Salt is important for your water softener. It should be about 2-3 inches above the water level. Make sure you are using the right type of Salt too. A bridge might form and prevent your water from being treated correctly if you’re not. All these issues are easy to fix!
• Check your water softener’s resin bed for clogging: Over time, the resin bed in the tank may wear out, reducing the appliance’s effectiveness of removing chemicals from water. The regeneration process restores the resin bed, but it will only last a few years. It’s time for a new water softener when this occurs.
• Check the regeneration process: Most water softeners include a time limit on their regeneration procedures, which allows you to plan them. Ensure the timer is set correctly and that the regeneration procedure is carried out at night or when you are not at home. If your water softener regenerates while you’re using it, it may not be able to provide enough soft water.

Tools Required to Fix Water Softener Problems

A 4-in-1 screwdriver, A bucket, and a vacuum cleaner

Common Water Softener Problems

Water Softener Problems Water In Salt Tank

Sometimes a salt tank is full of water. This happens because there is no place for the water to go or be blocked off. But it can also happen for other reasons. When you have a problem with your salt tank, determining the valid reason why it is wet may assist you in troubleshooting the unit correctly. The following are some of the most frequent reasons why water can get into your salt tank:

• The water softener is too old. It can last for 8 years. If it is old, or you don’t know how old it is, inspect the tank and O-rings for damage.
• The water valve is leaking: If this valve fails, the salt tank may flood due to the water pouring into it. To address the problem, replace the lid.
• The float valve is too high: the float valve regulates the amount of water in a compartment. If the softener can’t release enough water, the excess may build-up due to being set too high. To remedy the situation, lower the float valve.

Water Softener Problems Salt Bridges

Salts are also scaling in your system’s casing and lines, which is why salt-based water softeners don’t work when they’re used with a non-salt-based system. Salt crust sometimes forms with water softeners, which can break down any time you need to change your old tank. Don’t let this build-up interfere with the life of your unit. Bridges of salt form around the edges of a tank. You can fix this by breaking and removing the crust or cleaning up any salt on top of your tank.

Water Softener Makes Water Brown

At least once in our lives, we’ve all seen stomach-turning brown water spurt from the tap. It’s easy to see why this water is unsuitable for consumption, but if you have a water softener, you might be wondering whether it’s to blame for the problem coming from the softener. It is often caused by worn-out pipes or high amounts of dirt in the water. But there is also a chance that bacteria may cause brown water in your softener. To rule out the possibility that this is a water-softening issue, sterilize your system with chlorine or hydrogen peroxide. Fill the brine tank with two cups of the sterilizer and run two or three regeneration cycles before draining your pumping.

Water Softener Doesn’t Use Salt

If the salt level in the brine tank does not change over time, it indicates that no salt was used. As a result, there is no ions exchange, so no softening of hard water occurs. This makes the system ineffective unless you solve the issues listed above. To get the benefits of softened water, repair the salt bridge problem.

Brine Tank Water Too Low

We already talked about what happens when the brine tank is too full. But what if the brine tank water is too low? Although many people are perplexed as to why their salt tank isn’t producing any water, they know that this is acceptable and indicates that your system is functioning properly. There’s little chance of finding water in the tank unless the salt level drops significantly below half of the tank’s volume. If you do, follow the instructions in this post to resolve your system’s #1 problem and troubleshoot.

Water Softener Problems Resin Beads

Freshwater softeners also use resin beads, which improve their efficiency. These beads generally endure as long as the system. However, they can break or lose their potential in some cases, necessitating more salt replenishment. If your resin beads are not working, you might notice floating particles in the water. This may be an aggravating problem, but the solution is quite simple. Following the instructions in your user manual, clean or replace the resin beads as needed. This problem is frequently simple to repair without spending a lot of money.

 Water Softener Not Softening

Water softener problems happen, and one might be that the water is not getting softened. One of the most common causes is salt build-up in the brine tank. But there may be other reasons too. If the bypass switch is turned off, water will not flow through the system. Water demand for your soft water system may be higher than the capacity of your system. The resin beads may not completely regenerate between softening cycles in this instance. Another cause of a weak water system might be an issue with the brine tank or resin beads. The first step is determining exactly what it is. Then, check your user manual for suggested troubleshooting. If you require more soft water than your system can provide, add extra Salt and run longer regeneration cycles to extend its capacity slightly.

• Best Water Softener 

Water Softener Causing Low Water Pressure

Most homeowners have a problem with low water pressure. A water softener might cause the problem in the following cases:

• The system is too tiny: Low water pressure can be caused by a small system size. Check the inlet pressure it can manage and the output pressure it promises when sizing your water softener.
• Sediment builds up in pipes, and this can cause a reduction in the water pressure. If you think there is a blockage somewhere, check the pipes and other parts of your system to find out where it is. Then remove the blockage.
• Resin clogs: Sometimes, you need to replace the resin beads when they get stuck in the pipes. This can cause water pressure loss and make your system not work right. You need to flush out all of the pipes and put in new resin beads to fix this.
• Another frequent problem is the iron build-up in the resin tank, which can significantly reduce water pressure. Add a mineral cleaner to the resin tank and run more frequent regeneration cycles to prevent this problem.

Water Softener Problems Salty Taste

Salty water might become a horrible experience, especially if you deal with the stomach ache aftertaste. Although most water softeners use salt to soften the hardness in the liquid, it must not be salty. If it is, that means there is something wrong with your system. You might be using too much Salt. The drain hose could also get clogged, and then you will not be able to flush the brine during regenerating cycles.

Water Softener Motor Failure

Water softeners use motors and can be very expensive. Motors can fail rather easily, and since water softeners require a motor to work, keep in mind that they may break. If the system stops working, the most likely reason is a motor failure. Before you conclude, check the cables. If they are not broken, the motor might not be starting up. If your system is still covered by warranty, contact the company that made it and ask for help. If your air conditioner is out of warranty or the motor isn’t covered, you’re out of luck. The only option left is to buy a new motor or a new system. Maintaining and following the use instructions will ensure that your engine stays in working order, as it is rather costly to repair or replace one.

Conclusion:

As you can see, most water softener problems are straightforward to address and require minimal effort. We hope the advice given above will assist you in resolving water softener issues regardless of brand. However, if you’re unsure, call a professional to avoid causing any more damage to your equipment.