ECOWATER Troubleshooting S Y S T E M S TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDE PROBLEM CAUSE CORRECTION Water has black or gray (NEW SYSTEM) Start up procedure Run start up procedure (See Page 11) or run color has not been completed consecutive Clean Rinse cycles (See Page 13) until water color returns to. This water softener repair article describes what to check first if the softener is not working properly. Also see the FAQs at the end of this article for examples of.
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While hard water is generally safe to use, the minerals and metals inside can wreak havoc on your appliances. You can ensure the longevity of your appliances by using a water softener that actively removes the minerals, metals and other sediment from the water. This can prevent buildup in pipes, sinks, wall tiles, spotting on dishes, and can even make your laundry brighter.
Getting a water softener system is always a good call, but that’s just the beginning. While a water softener system protects your appliances from the damage sediment can cause, it doesn’t protect itself. It will wear down over time, which is why you need to make sure you keep your system in top shape. Read more to learn the proper steps for home water softener system maintenance.
Maintain the Tank
The most powerful ingredient in the water softening process is salt. At least once a month, you need to make sure your salt level is at least half full with three inches over the water level. Take note of what kind of salt you’re using. More expensive salt will increase your system’s efficiency, but you need to weigh the cost benefit yourself. The cheaper you go, the more often you’ll have to clean your tank.
Salt can also build up in your tank, creating solid clumps that the water won’t mix with. Sometimes it’ll create a bridge across the tank preventing any salt above it from mixing with the water. You can use a broom handle or another long object to break it apart. Hot water will make it easier. Sometimes, salt builds up at the bottom of the tank. The best way to treat this is to scoop the clumped salt, dissolve it in hot water and put it back in the tank.
Clean the Tank
If you’ve done everything described so far and your water is still hard, it’s time for a deep cleaning. The average water softener system only requires a full cleaning every five to ten years, so don’t worry about this becoming a regular thing. However, sometimes you may have to clean it every year or two depending on how old your system is.
First, empty the tank completely and be mindful of salt’s tendency to ruin soil and harm plants. Take the brine grid off the base of the tank and set it aside. Next, use dish soap to scrub the entire interior of the tank. Mixing it in with about 4-8 liters of water should do the trick. Rinse it out, then fill it with about 2-3 gallons of bleach. After 15 minutes or so of sanitization, rinse it out. After that, simply refill the tank with water and salt, and it should be good to go.
Extra Tweaks
The above steps will likely take care of any serious problems you may be having, but there are still other things to check if you want your tank to be in the best possible condition. Make sure your valves are in working order. It’s a good idea to give them a little work out about once a month. Twist the valves off then on again. The movement helps keep them in working condition and allows you to notice any valve leaks. The valve between the brine tank and resin tank can also become dirty over time. Clean it about twice a year. Just make sure you reduce the water pressure before you take the valve apart.
Water softener cleaner is also an option, which is really easy to use. All you have to do is buy the cleaning solution and pour it into your brine tank. If the water going into your system is particularly difficult, you can always buy maximum strength or get an attachment that automatically applies cleaner for you.
Learn More with EcoWater Systems
If you need help with any of your water-related needs, EcoWater Systems is happy to lend a hand. We proudly serve Las Vegas and the surrounding areas, so if you have questions about home water softener system maintenance or if you want to get your hands on a new one, don’t hesitate to contact us to learn more. Remember EcoWater Systems is here for all your water needs!
InspectAPedia tolerates no conflicts of interest. We have no relationship with advertisers, products, or services discussed at this website.
Diagnose & Fix Water Softener 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.
This water softener repair article describes what to check first if the softener is not working properly. Also see the FAQs at the end of this article for examples of water softener problems & solutions.
We also provide a MASTER INDEX to this topic, or you can try the page top or bottom SEARCH BOX as a quick way to find information you need.
Owner's Guide to Diagnosing A Water Softener that Is Not Working ProperlyArticle Series Contents
[Click to enlarge any image]
To get a water softener of unknown condition into operation
Water Softener Checklist: if the Softener is Not Working Check These FirstWater Softener Not Producing Soft Water
if the water softener doesn't seem to be doing anything, check these items:
How to Get a Water Softener Working & Confirm that It Works Correctly
Before replacing a water softener - a step that may not be necessary, here are some things to try:
Try these water softener diagnosis and repair steps before rushing to replace the water softener itself.
Notes to the table aboveQuestion: Injector Drain Flow pipe is discharging rusty colored water and resin beads
Fifi & Boomer • 3 months ago
I noticed that my Injector Drain Flow pipe is discharging rusty colored water and resin beads. Is this a problem, and what might it be?
Reply:
Fi
Particularly IF there is no other source of rusty color or particles (such as iron pipes or iron in the water supply) THEN the color and resin beads in the discharge mean that the basket strainer in the water softener is damaged and your resin tank is losing beads - it needs repair.
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Check the diagnostic suggestions in your water softener's installation & service manual.
See WATER CONDITIONER / SOFTENER MANUALS
Reader Q&A - also see the FAQs series linked-to belowReader Question: Water Softener Not Softening the Water: water test shows 1120 ppm of hardness and other data - how should I remove the hardness?
In my home the water test report showing the following details :
PARTICULARS OUR WATER RECOMMEND LEVEL PH 7.7 7.5 - 8.5 TDS 1266 PPM HARDENSS 1120 PPM ALKANITY 450 PPM CHLORIDES 764 PPM Note: Not advisable for cooking & Bathing purpose use for floor cleaning & flushing. Can I know what is the best way to remove the hardness of water. - Shobia 6/20/12 Reply: water softener capacity must be able to handle level of water hardness
Shobia it does sound as if you'd need water treatment to make that water usable in the home;
if you call two local water treatment companies they will be glad to propose systems to meet your needs, and typically don't charge for that advice. Using hardness as an example, it's quite simple to check the level of hardness you need to deal with against the capacity of the water softener system proposed.
I can't say more as I don't understand your data - hardness is usually expressed in milligrams per liter or grains per gallon, not parts per million.
Reader Comment from Cullman 8/26/12:
You need larger size water softener to remove this high hardness. Also TDS (total dissolved solids) level is very high , so for drinking water I suggest using Reverse osmosis system at the kitchen sink. Ph level is good.
Reply:
Thanks Cullman for the helpful suggestions to Shobia - Ed.
Reader Question: Water softener keeps regenerating & water remains hard
About once a year my softener will have salt in the tank and will run regenerating. But nothing happens and the water remains hard running throughout he house.
Maybe something is clogged? What should I look to do. Thanks so much. - Rob P. 7/24/12
Reply:
Rob, check for a stuck float switch in the brine tank;
See WATER SOFTENER RUNS TOO LONG
and see BRINE TANK FLOAT LEVEL ADJUSTMENT in our water softener diagnosis & maintenance articles.
Reader Question: Can I replace the resin media inside of a water softener?
8/31/14 Ron Fix It Man said:
My softener is 13 years old and I have read the resin becomes ineffective in about that life time. Iron out has been used with little benefit. Effectiveness of the softener has declined unless greater amounts of salt per cycle are used. Troubleshooting reveals no improper cycle operation.
Is it true the resin has a limited life? Can it be restored, say with a wash of dilute muratic acid? If not, where can it be purchased?
Reply: procedure to replace water softener treatment tank resin media
Ron
Indeed it is possible to replace the resin in a water softener.
Water softener resin can last for 20 years or even longer, but may have a shorter life depending on the chemistry of the water being processed in the water softener.
But I would not start down the 'replace water softener resin' path before diagnosing the problem with my water softener to be sure I'm making the proper and necessary repair.
If you've done that and are ready to replace the resin in the softner tank, details of just how to replace the resin in the water softner, where to buy resin, and other advice are
at WATER SOFTENER RESIN REPLACEMENT
White Scale Deposits on Plumbing Fixtures: hard water indicatorsQuestion: White Deposits on Faucets: why does my water keep leaving water marks on my plumbing fixtures? Should I replace my water softener?
I currently have a water softener system in my home BUT, there are always water marks on my chrome fixtures and on my windows,mirrors,etc.
What can I do to improve this system or should I just replace it with a different one?
I realize that soft water does not mean non-staining water but I was hoping for better results.
Can you help of advise? - C.T.
Reply: Diagnose, clean, adjust, and test your water softener before buying a new one
We speculate that there are several likely explanations for what you describe:
The water softener is not working adequately or not properly adjusted, does not remove enough minerals, and minerals continue to be deposited on your fixtures
The water softener is not adjusted properly and excess salt is being sent through your system, depositing salt on the fixtures.
The water softener unit is dirty, and needs cleaning and perhaps also adjustment
The water softener simply has stopped working - broken, perhaps leaking, clogged, or with a control that no longer functions.
The water softener regeneration system is not working: no salt in the salt tank, or improper regeneration cycle or salt dose setting, or the regeneration control timer may be stuck.
See WATER SOFTENER BACKUP, FLOODING, LEAKS for an example of what can happen.
Watch out: too often a water softener failure or operating problem that could have been corrected by a simple adjustment, cleaning, or repair, is in stead 'repaired' by installing new equipment.
Since a new water softener just installed is more likely to be clean and properly adjusted, the old problem may indeed go away, and you may think that replacement was needed, but if simple cleaning and adjustment of the old water softener would have been sufficient, you have faced an unnecessary expense.
Reader Question: corroded drains & faucets - does this mean a water softener problem?
Our drains and faucets are starting to corrode and rust. we have always used a water softener and maintained it. Is this an indication that there is a problem with our softener? - Sharon Osterby 9/16/12
Reply:
Sharon I'm not sure the problem is with your water softener or with the chemistry of your water. If the softener is not working you might see white mineral build-up at faucet strainers and openings; If the water chemistry is aggressive that might be a factor in plumbing corrosion.
Start by testing your softened water to see if it is effectively treated, and if not, clean, adjust, repair the water softener first. If you suspect a problem with water chemistry (say the softener is working normally and the water at the tap is not hard) then I suggest asking a water treatment company to test your water.
Such vendors often will test your water at no charge (they want to sell you equipment) or if you're doubtful, pick up a sterile bottle from your local water test lab and ask their recommendations for what screening tests to perform.
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Continue reading at BRINE TANK WATER TOO HIGH or select a topic from the closely-related articles below, or see the complete ARTICLE INDEX.
Or see WATER SOFTENER DIAGNOSTIC FAQs - set 1 of questions & answers on fixing water softener problems
Or see these
Water Softener Repair Articles
Suggested citation for this web page
DIAGNOSE WATER SOFTENER PROBLEMS 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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