Trouble Shooting Your Water Softener

If you’ve noticed that your water softener isn’t functioning, there could be several reasons that it isn’t working properly. At Aqua Solutions, we’ve put together a guide to help you troubleshoot common water softener issues and help you determine if you can repair it yourself or need a professional.

Check the Power

In some cases, the issue with your water softener will be surprisingly simple. Be sure to check that your water softener is plugged in and the outlet is working. You will also want to check to see whether the breaker has been thrown.

Check the Bypass Valve/Switch

The bypass valve works by directing water to or away from the water softener. Check to see if one of the handles is turned the wrong way. If so, this means the water you are using is not being filtered by your water softener. To fix this, close the bypass valve.

Check the Resin Bed

Over a period, the resin will become depleted. As this depletion occurs, the effectiveness of the water softener’s ability to remove unwanted chemicals from the water is reduced. While the regeneration process works to revive the resin beads, as the softener gets older, they become less effective. When this depletion occurs, it is time for a new water softener.

Check the Salt Tank

There is the possibility that you could have too much or too little salt. When you check the salt level, it should be about 4 or 4 inches above the water level. If your salt level is too low, the softener will not work correctly. If you’ve noticed a salty taste in your water, then the water softener is using too much salt. There could also be a clog in the drain hose blocking the brine water from being properly flushed.
Additionally, you could be using the wrong type of sale. This can cause a crusty salt buildup, known as bridges, above the water level in the tanks. This build-up can prevent the water from being treated correctly. You can remove a salt bridge by tapping on the bridge with something blunt and hard.

Check the Regeneration

You will want to check the timer to see if it is set to the right time or if it has failed. If the timer isn’t set correctly, then the softener may run at the wrong time. If it has failed, it may not be running at all. You can test your timer by setting it for its daily regeneration cycle and then listening to hear if the unit kicks on overnight.

Not Sure What the Issue is? Call Aqua Solutions

Our experts can inspect your water softener and recommend repairs or replacements based on our findings. We offer a large selection of top-quality water softeners and also provide water softener installations as a one-stop water treatment provider. Contact us today to learn more.