The Most Common Water Softener Problems

Modern water softening has become an in-thing in society today courtesy of technological
advancement. However, sometimes, water softening may not be as easy as it should be due to
typical home appliances' breakages and malfunctions. Water softener problems include salt
tank issues, salt bridges, and making water brown.

Tips to Consider during Water Softener Trouble Shooting

Problem Identification

Many homeowners scare at the idea of diagnosing water softener issues, but the process is a
walk in the park when you do it right. When troubleshooting, all you have to do is pay close
attention to the five primary procedures. Begin by verifying the integrity of the water softener's
bypass valve. Next, you want to check the power connection and confirm that the correct
voltage is in place. The third step is checking the salt tank. Finally, you are almost completing,
and now you have to equally check the water softener's resin bed, closely accompanied by
monitoring the regeneration process.

 Availability of Water Softener Issues' Fixation Tools

It has already come out clear that water softening is not as complex as it may sound. However,
this simplicity in troubleshooting water softener problems requires you to have three major
types of equipment – a vacuum cleaner, bucket, and a 4-in-1 screwdriver.

The Most Common Water Softener Issues

In the Salt Tank

A tank full of saltwater is perhaps the most rampant water softener problem. In most cases, this
situation is a result of clogging or lack of an adequate overflow source. During water softener
troubleshooting in the salt tank, you want to examine multiple causes. The first cause for
clogging is when your water softening system is exhausted and too old. Typically, water
softeners can last up to 8 years while delivering efficient services but begin degrading quickly
after. Another reason for the lack of an ideal overflow source is if the entry valve is broken. If
the valve is malfunctioning, the tank will begin flooding. The final reason is if the float valve is
too high for the actual water level in the tank. Excess water is bound to build up, cause
coagulation, and leads to the softener's inability to release water efficiently. Once you identify
that the salt tank is the source of all issues, all you have to do is maximize the value of the 4-in-
1 screwdriver to tighten or loosen the appropriate areas.

Salt Bridges

Despite water softeners being primarily predesigned to prevent different minerals from scaling
the heights of your tank and accumulating there, salt still finds its way up there. It is almost
impossible to avoid getting salt into the system's lines as it forms a reasonably significant
portion of the whole process. The normal build-up of any tank is water at the bottom, the salt
bridge, and finally, the accumulated salt. The system will have difficulty softening water when a
lot of salt already gets at the tank's base. This salt clogging, in turn, affects the whole
regeneration process, which, when poorly handled, could break the entire water softening
system.

In the real sense, the salt bridge is the hard crust of salt that prevents water from flowing
through the brine tank. When this happens, the regeneration process slows down, causing
further delays in other parts of the softening system. The good news is that the salt bridge is
one of the most accessible aspects to fix. The trick in successful water softener troubleshooting
is approaching the issues with an open mind. More often than not, the best solution to the
most complex problem is the most straightforward idea.

Brown Water

Brown tap water is a familiar scene, especially when launching new water sources. From its
color, you can quickly tell that it is unsafe for drinking. Its sight is disgusting and may make you
reconsider consuming tap water in any other place in the world. It is even worse when you have
an installed a water softener system because you may be likely to trace the cause back to the
equipment. Unfortunately, the truth is that there is little chance that your water softening
system has anything to do with the browning.

Furthermore, it is worn-out plumbing systems that cause water browning. Additionally, when
the water source is too dirty or has many sediments, it is not uncommon to encounter brown
water. In other isolated but still possible situations, you may be surprised to realize that the
water is not dirty, neither does it have sediments – but bacteria.

For this reason, experts recommend using hydrogen peroxide and a mixture of chlorine to kill
any bacteria in the water. If you put 2-3 sterilizer cups and run three regeneration processes,
but the problem persists, the time is right to request professional assistance. There is no
shaming in staying healthy.

Absence of Salt Usage

Another common water softener problem is the lack of evidence of ideal salt usage. Once you
install a water softener system, you must monitor its functionality to ensure maximum
efficiency. When you check and realize that the salt level in the brine tank has been constant for
a while, know that there is insufficient salt in circulation. If the salt is missing, ions are equally
not exchanging, thereby affecting the water softening process. In any case, the whole system
could be rendered useless.

There are many causes for the system failing to use salt as it should. Even so, the most common
cause is salt bridges' formations that block crystals from dissolving completely. You can quickly
fix this problem by ensuring that the salt fill height is half the tank, especially when the tank is ¾
full. The extra room will create enough space for salt crystals to dissolve thus, enhancing
regeneration processes. Soft water has endless benefits, and you do not want to throw all that
away for accumulated salts. Always ensure that the level keeps changing every now and often
for maximum efficiency.

Low Brine Tank

If the salt tank is too high, the system will not work correctly. The same is true when the system
is equally too low. Another water softening challenge has to deal with a salt tank that is too
low. In the real sense, the brine tank has to be empty for the water softening system to work
efficiently. When you check the brine tank level and realize that it is too high or too low, be
alarmed because it communicates a different message. Unless the saltwater is close to half the
tank's volume, you should not be spotting any water. Nonetheless, when you do this and realize
that the level is still concerning, you must evaluate the presence of either of the three causes of
water accumulation in the tank.

First, ensure that the float valve has not been set too high. Excess should come out quickly if
the softening process is successful, which can be an issue if the system fails to release its
overflow. You also want to counter-check the life span of your water softener as it may be too
old to deliver any quality services.

Resin Beads

Resin beads are the catalysts necessary in enhancing the efficiency of a water softening system.
These resin beads' design can last as long as the system. Even so, the same resin beads could
break or malfunction due to unavoidable and unforeseen circumstances. Therefore, you will
have to replace them with newer and long-lasting beads if you want to enjoy the healthy
benefits of consuming soft water.

While at it, you might want to be on the lookout for other red flags indicating the
malfunctioning resin beads. If you notice some strange and unusual particles floating on the
softened water, know that the resin beads are gradually failing in their purpose. It would be
best if you did not raise the alarm, even though the sight of this could be annoying or scary. It is
not poisoning, and the issue is quick and straightforward to resolve. Most resin beads have
separate manuals depending on the water softening system you preferred. All you have to do is
adhere to guidelines to the end. The best part is that resin beads are usually easy to fix and
require less professional input.

No Softening

Sometimes the water softener does not soften the water. When you realize that the water
softening system is malfunctioning and unable to ease any water level, know that it is time to
check the salt build-up in the brine tank. Even though the absence of water softening is rare,
sometimes the system completely fails to power the whole regeneration process. In cases
where the system bypass switch is off, there is no doubt that not enough water will flow. In
other cases, there is no water flow at all. If this happens, the demand for soft water exhibited
by the system is likely way above what the same approach can regenerate. The lack of
adequate flow eventually causes incomplete regeneration processes between the softening
circles; thus, there is no water softening.

It is easy to solve this issue as long as you can identify the root cause of the problem. For
example, it is usual for your soft water demand to exceed the system's expectations. The trick
you can use to adapt is adding more salt and elongating the regeneration processes, increasing
the system's ability to withstand excess pressure. However, keep in mind that different brine
issues could cause the resin beads to misbehave; hence, you must first identify the real cause of
the trouble before implementing solutions. If unsure about the entire problem-solving process,
it would be best to seek professional assistance.

Low Water Pressure

A water softener system could cause low water pressure issues in 4 significant ways. The first
one is if the system is small, too small to accommodate high-level pressure. The best way to
ensure that the size of your water softener is up to its task is to check if the inlet pressure can
handle the outlet power during installation. You do not want to create one too big or too small
than the other.

The second way is through sediment's build-up. It is typical for the water pressure to go down
when sediment clogging is evident in your tank. In most cases, pipes are the worst clogging
culprits, and you never see it coming. However, unblocking the clog is simple.

Another method is through resin clogs. When you want to empty the tank and flush out all the
remaining water, the resin beads could clog the system and mess with the pressure level. As
the guidelines explain the procedure, you do not have to worry about fixing and repairing resin
beads.

The final method is iron build-up. If the resin tank accumulates too much iron, water pressure
can reduce significantly. Mineral cleaners can work the ultimate solution miracle if you know
your water softener to the core. To ensure reliable soft water, you can initiate as many
regeneration cycles as possible.

Salty Taste

Sometimes water softeners can leave a rather too salty taste in your mouth. The worst feeling
about drinking salted water is that the aftermath taste never leaves your mouth. Besides being
very bitter, salted water can also cause stomach issues resulting in severe health complications
when poorly solved. Even though water softening systems' core mechanisms use salt to filter
out soft water, you should never be left with a salty feeling after taking the same water. Salt is
vital for reducing hardness, but too much of it can be detrimental to your well-being.

Nonetheless, you may realize that the softening system still produces salty water despite doing
all you can. By now, you should know that the system needs evaluation. Perhaps you might be
using too much salt. Even so, keep in mind experts recommended using more salt and
increasing the regeneration process frequency if the system is failing. If you attempt many
probable solutions but fail to see any promising results, consider draining the hose as its
clogging makes it impossible to flush the brine.

Motor Failure

The motor is the axis of all water softening systems. This motor needs a stable and constant
supply of electricity to run effectively. Sometimes the motor could malfunction or completely
cease its operation. When this happens, do not panic. Instead, check for loose cables.

The cables might have snapped or got exhausted due to elongated use and probably poor
maintenance. First, check to see whether the insurance still covers the water softener's current
operation. If the warranty is still valid, all you have to do is contact the parent company and
seek professional help.

In other cases, you might be too far from the manufacturer in terms of distance and weeks of
waiting. If the damage looks too intense, do not attempt to solve it personally. Instead, visit the
closest professional technician to get the job done for you at an affordable rate, or you can
choose to wait until the warranty pays off. Once you figure out the motor's problem, you might
want to buy a whole new package. After that, you will have the precise guideline to instruct you
all the way and help you maintain its maximum efficiency to the final days.

No Regeneration

The whole idea of water softening stems from the regeneration concept. Hard water has to
come in, regenerated, and released as final soft water healthy for consumption. This
functionality, however, depends on your ability to maintain the system. If the regeneration
cycles fail to occur naturally, the system loses its meaning. Reasons for lack of regeneration
stretch far and wide, beginning with a faulty timer. Perfect regeneration processes require
reliable timers which notify the system about the water schedules. In the real sense, this means
that without a fully operational regeneration timer, the process is bound to fail.

You can solve this dilemma by simply setting the regeneration cycle to daily. Once the time
comes, get close to the system and listen to learn whether it is genuinely regenerating. An
active and ideal regeneration timer will help you notice the noises and specific sounds
accompanying the whole softening process. If these sounds are missing, the system is down.
Another aspect that could cause a lack of appropriate regeneration cycles is sedimentary build-
ups and clogging. You may be keen to notice the different sounds in such cases, even though
water remains salty. In the event of such an encounter, understand that regeneration is not
occurring – you should check the tubes and flush when necessary.

Leaking

Water softening challenges are endless, but the benefits of consuming healthy soft water
massively outweigh the risks. Another problem associated with water softeners is tank
leakages. It is not uncommon for tanks to leak but not normal to fail to spot the cause for the
leaks.

Most tanks leak due to loose fittings with the valves and other parts of the system. In other
cases, it may be hard to pinpoint the origin of the cause, especially if the tank is not only big but
also high. Nonetheless, if you notice the leak and find out that the problem occurred during
installation, you are in luck because that would be easy to fix. All you have to do is call the
technician to come and complete the installation or rectify the selected region of the system.
Also, remind them to follow the manufacturer's guidelines highlighting potential solutions in
the event of leakages.
Funny Noises

It should be apparent right from the start – water softeners should never be loud. Still, it would
be best not to confuse this with silence because when the motor is fully operational and
running effectively, you will hear some faint noises. These noises sound like a running engine.
During the initiation of the regeneration cycles, these sounds must be relatively silent. In this
case, listen to know whether the system is producing funny sounds or other unusual noises. The
regeneration cycle sound should never be too loud, and if it is, the following are some of the
causes.

First, the timer could be malfunctioning. A spoilt timer could cause the system to misinterpret
the real-time for beginning and ending the regeneration cycle. Second, water lines could result
in clogged valves. If the valve does not open and close as it should, the system may take or let
out too much water than it can regenerate. The final cause is broken air valves. These can
predispose water pressure to potential risk and inadequacy. The idea here is to listen to the
motor and be able to distinguish sound and noise.

Consistent Running

One of the last complications with water softeners is dealing with a constantly running system.
Here is where the value of an appropriate timer comes in – dictating the right time for
beginning and ending regeneration cycles. You must understand that the most common cause
of the system continually running is if it is impossible to draw brine from the tank. As already
been established earlier, the only reason brine would cause issues in the tank is if the
sediments accumulated too high. Salt bridges could also cause difficulties when drawing brine.

Ensure that you have verified that the water pressure is of the correct voltage as constant low
pressure is another cause of endless system running. If the pressure is low, there is no enough
water to facilitate the regeneration process. Lack of adequate pressure could also result in the
rapid formation of the salt bridge.

When troubleshooting here, ensure that all switches are up to their respective tasks. Faulty
switches could cause further system damage and expose you to unnecessary electrical shock
and other associated risks, depending on your preferred source of power.
Operation Error

Water softeners require professional configuration, just like other systems. When you get this
wrong right from the start, there is no doubt that you will encounter several issues in the
future. If you purchase a complicated system and are unsure of setting the proper configuration
for maximum efficiency, you must seek competent technical help. There are endless things that
could go wrong if you get the settings wrong. You do not want to subject your life to potential
risks like electrocution when all you had to do was seek help.

Most importantly, you want to be sure that you are well-versed with all possible errors before
operating the water softening system. Even better, you should be aware of the contingencies of
these errors in the event of their unforeseen happening. Finally, you should be confident that if
by any chance any operational error pops up, your contingency plan will be sure to match all
emerging risks.

Key Take Away

There are different types of water softener challenges. They include:

 Kinetico Issues: These problems include stuck regeneration and resign placement,
whose solutions are unclogging and valve reinstallation.

 Whirlpool Issues: This challenge is mainly caused by a damaged rubber gasket which, to
fix, you must buy a new piece.

 GE Problems: The most common problem GE reports revolve around malfunctioned

error codes and unresponsive control panels.
  Culligan Problems: The main problems here include constant draining and low water
pressure, which you can rectify by controlling the bypass switch valve and resin
replacement, respectively.

Finally, you can also prolong your water softener's life span by adhering to the following tips:

 Always check the system for salt bridges and clogs.

 Maximize the value of quality salt.

 Clean the valve frequently to avoid blockages.

 Use the resin cleaner.

Conclusion

Most water softener's problems are easy to fix and hardly as technical as they may first appear.
However, if you do not feel so confident, you can always contact a professional technician.