This problem might occur for various reasons; one of them is a salt bridge in the brine tank. // ]]>. Your brine tank has a “salt bridge”. We all get used to the sound of every machine we buy at the beginning of use. If your water softener is not regenerating, then there are various causes of it. There are so many factors associated with a water softener to diagnose the problem without more details. When pieces of salt are bonded at the bottom of the brine tank, they form a salt bridge. Clean the venturi periodically to maintain steady brine flow into the resin tank for regenerating the resin filter. A water softener system is no exception. POST a QUESTION or COMMENT about how to diagnose water softener operating problems: how long the softener runs, how much water is in the brine tank, how much salt, how salty or soft is the household water, more. My Water Softener Is Not Using Salt And There Is No Salt Bridge, What Is The Problem? Required fields are marked *. The water softener won't use salt if the valve motor won't move to supply water to the salt tank to make brine. It is not recommended to use water during a water softener regeneration, as hard water will fill the water heater, which could lead to buildup in the equipment. You might want to check the drain line for this matter; it can be blocked and prevent the flow of brine through the brine line, increasing the water level in the salt tank. You can also check other reasons covered in this water softener troubleshooting guide that may cause this issue. If sediments and scaling clog any part of your system, then a loss in water pressure can happen. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Open the lid of your Lowe's Whirlpool water softener and make sure that the salt level is at least 1/4 full. All Whirlpool® Water Softeners use Demand Initiated Regeneration with Salt Saving Technology so the system only recharges when necessary, saving salt and water. The solution for this problem is rather simple; when the drain hose is clogged, the brine will not be flushed out. It controls the regeneration cycle, which is a critical process for your softener to operate correctly. Please keep reading to know how it is done, but now let’s focus on how to identify a salt bridge. One of these is the rotor valve. The safety float can shut off the water flow to the salt tank; however, it loosens with time due to the system’s vibration when it is working. Air Purifier Vs Dehumidifier For Home: Which One to Choose? There are many possible causes for this problem, but you should always start with the obvious. Water softener systems are great for generating water that is good for dry skin and easy on plumbing fixtures. Change the water softener's settings if your water fluctuates between soft and hard. Make sure to follow the user manual’s instructions when you decide to fix or replace any part of the system. Sometimes the water softener or any system that relies on electricity to function stops from working. Because the softening capacity of resin beads is reduced due to contaminants assembled inside the resin tank. When you use a salt-based water softener, no water-related problem should get you mad because the system is perfect. and the life of your softener Try to clean the resin beads first and see how it goes, and then you can replace them by following the instructions in the user manual. out. At this point, the first thing to think of is a motor failure because if any other part does not operate, there is always a sign that indicates something is wrong. Check if there is any blockage in the pipes or lines. Because the system will not soften the hard water in this case. In this process, hardness ions get exchanged by salt ions, and excess minerals are rinsed into the wastewater drain, this process is called regeneration. Add mineral cleaner to the resin tank flush out the iron. What if you don’t have a salt bridge at the bottom of your tank, but your system is still not using salt? For instance, every unit has an inlet pressure that it can handle, and it also has an outlet to be aware of what your system is capable of. Each system operates differently, and seeking help from professionals is a wise decision to make. Extend your warranty Otherwise, the air valve can be broken. There is not much you can do really except for learning how to size a water softener the right way and buying a new system. In general, if the before and after test of water hardness is roughly the same, then your softener is not working properly. 8. This case is another result of the same problem; the system is stuck in the regeneration phase. The venturi draws the brine from the salt tank to the resin tank during the regeneration cycle, so if it is clogged, the system will eventually stop working. If you find out that a component or line is leaking, you can either fix it or replace it. To inspect the injector, pull it out with a pair of needle-nose pliers and see if you … Retest the raw water for hardness and iron. If your water softener is operating but not softening your water, you most likely have one of the following issues: Water softener settings are off Salt bridges or salt mushing Too much water in … Whirlpool Reverse Osmosis Troubleshooting, Water Cooler Dispenser Troubleshooting Guide. Some of us like to explore the system and alter many data to fit our needs. The brine tank is where you add the bags of salt to recharge the resin beads. Water Softener Systems Troubleshooting: Do It Yourself! Finally, remove the caps on both sides of the softener head. 4 Features to Help You Find The Best Water Softener for Your Home, What to Look For in a Water Filtration System. To do this, we managed to find every possible cause and asked professionals about what you can do in each case. The only problem is that the water softener will continue to run and regenerate hard water, which if left long enough could begin to gum up your tank and lines with a limescale build up. 1. Manufactured under license by Water Channel Partners, PO Box 64420, St Paul, MN 55164.® 2021 Whirlpool Corporation. flow rates and other functions all checked out. At some point, When you know for sure that the water softener is leaking, the hardest part is to detect the leakage. The loss of water pressure is a common issue if you use a water softener. $29.91. The common problem, in this case, is that your venturi is clogged. In this case, your water is salty. If they are in good form, the system will work effectively. Still, it is usually a hard crust of salt that forms a salt bridge, which will prevent water from flowing through the brine tank, thus, interrupting the regeneration cycle. If the water pressure in your home is poor, there is a solution for this unpredictable regenerating of a non-electric water softener but it’s not cheap and there are reports of … Why? If you ignore these instructions, You should not be surprised if the system did not work as you expected, and the chance of damaging your unit is high. Once we notice a tiny difference in that sound, we immediately know that something is not right. My Water Softener Won’t Stop Running, What Should I Do? Ensure that the two lengths of clear plastic pipes included are fitted to the drain side of the taps. If your water softener does not have an automatic regenerator, you will need to manually regenerate the softener. To check if the timer is still working, you can set the softener to regenerate on a daily basis. A brine tank needs to be thoroughly cleaned once every year as recommended. Dirt and small amounts of minerals can damage the resin over time and cost you a lot of money to repair it, that is why it is recommended to install a hard-plumbed drain line for more efficiency. Let us dive into the water softener troubleshooting guide and see some common problems that you can face with a water softener. A water softener needs water to regenerate its water softening resin, and it needs the water pressure to be high enough to draw the brine from the brine tank, and a strong flow of water to rinse the brine away. With the Whirlpool softener variable brining I would expect that your salt use should be 1/2 to 3/4 lb of salt per day if the unit is working properly. In this case, an operation error may occur. Here are some common things that can and do go wrong: Your brine (salt) tank isn’t re-filling with water (float valve assembly broken). Tip the bottom of the softener up a few inches and hold until all water has drained. Sometimes the problem is not as bad as you think; it might even be predictable. It is important  to check every other possible cause before going into the troubleshooting phase: The softener might also stop working, when it reaches its capacity before the regeneration time comes, due to high water consumption. Check the user manual for instructions on how to clean the venturi valve and remove any debris salt, or dirt to unclog it. Here are some key components that you need to check in no specific order to tackle the issue. Leave the softener laying like this until you are ready to use it. The Troubleshooting Phase: This Is What You Should Do. As a result, salt doesn’t dissolve into the water; thus, there will be no brine for the ions exchange process. Cables and connectors can be damaged, keep this in mind before you start thinking about the motor’s cost or any other solution. Push the Salt Down 10 Best Whole House Water Filters for Well Water. Such as clogged venturi and brine line, blocked drain line, or the timer being misconfigured. Every once in a while, take a long wooden stick and push it down the salt tank, if it hits something hard at the bottom, then it is time for you to clean the tank. Or, the quality of the salt you are using requires large quantities to meet the system’s needs. I Checked And There Is A Salt Bridge, What’s Next? The water softener needs to get rid of minerals, dirt, or small amounts of debris accumulated in the tank. The system flushes out the crud through the brain line, and if it is clogged, the regeneration cycle can be disrupted. If that happens, water can flow continuously in the brine tank. A common factor that can also be the reason behind the issue is iron build up. When saturated, the control valve begins a new regeneration cycle-- cleaning, then flushing the hard minerals down the drain.The Overflow ChecklistDuring normal operation of a water softening system regeneration cycle, water fills the brine tank ¼ to half of the way, then the brine is drawn back into the softener tank to clean the resin. The Water Softener Is Not Regenerating The regeneration phase is crucial for your system to provide you with soft water continuously. The homeowner will never know if their shower will be interrupted by a drop in water pressure due to the water softener. We have a solution to this problem in this troubleshooting guide. When you configure a system manually, it is more likely that the system will work smoothly. Extend your warranty and the life of your softener with Whirlpool ® Water Softener Cleanser. Now that you have installed the softener for a while, you need to check if it is working properly. If you examine the drain hose and it is clogged, you can unblock it or replace it if necessary. A dirty venturi won't draw brine water into the resin tank. Start by pushing a broom handle … Regenerate. The rest should be easy. The valve motor positions the rotor valve that controls water flow to the salt tank for regeneration. However, if nothing happens, you have to replace the timer with the manufacturer-approved replacement part. Do You Have Low Water Pressure In Your House? Water Softener Doesn’t Use Salt. Does Your Water Softener Make Unusual Noise? Sometimes it’s due to the damaged timer. Check for salt problems in the brine tank. If you feel stuck and overwhelmed, there is no other option than ask a professional to fix the issue. Thoroughly clean the injector (right … If the problem is still there after you have checked many possible causes, it is better to contact your service technician. Make sure to check every other possible cause. Ensure that the clear pipes are over a bucket or sink as a minimal amount of water under mains pressure may drain from the water softener. The latter can cause the error without paying attention to it, so I recommend starting with the timer then go from there. Your email address will not be published. If your water softener is stuck in regeneration, it may be caused by a clogged connection. A typical way to know if you have a clogged injector is to check if the water in the brine tank is very high. The metered softener will not regenerate until water has reached the preset threshold. Disconnect the brine tank from the softener and break the salt bridge. Unscrew the larger top tap and remove lid assembly. The ion exchange systems are usually easy in terms of maintenance and use. If there is any,  unclog it and see if the water pressure goes up again. As long as you’re following the instructions in the user manual. A. The time setting must be correct, as well as the water hardness number and model code. The result is the softener cannot regenerate properly and you will get hard water. To clean it, first engage the softener’s bypass valve to shut off the water. So you have to check the safety float and make sure it is attached securely. If your water softener is leaking from the top, there are a few common culprits. During regeneration, the softener … The problem is not as bad as you think, this water softener systems troubleshooting guide will provide some quick tips to fix it. A water softener timer allows you to program your system. Whirlpool WHES30 30,000 Grain Water Softener automatically halts the regeneration process when you are away from home or on a vacation. By continuing to use this site you consent to the use of cookies on your device as described in our cookie policy unless you have disabled them. It removes water contaminants and scales build up and extend the lifespan of your home appliances. The water gets to the resin tank first, where the ion exchange takes place and where the water gets softened. If a part of the system breaks down or does not function correctly, then it will affect the whole procedure. However, if the sound becomes annoying then the valves or lines are clogged. Frequency of regeneration is controlled by the valve programming which is not user adjustable but I would not expect it to regenerate daily. When the water softener is not regenerating, you need to consider many things before you start working on a specific component. Small amounts of iron can accumulate in the resin tank resulting in the iron build-up, which can reduce water pressure. Water Softener Regeneration Cycle FAQs Diagnostic questions & answers on softener regeneration cycle. So, if the salt level in the brine tank doesn’t change, then something is wrong. However, these complex machines have a tendency to break from time to time. Clean the water softener venturi The venturi draws brine water into the resin tank to regenerate the resin filter. When you don’t doubt that it is a motor failure, check if it is still covered by warranty, if not, then you have to replace it or buy another water softener. The power outage can cause it, so check the timer after power restoration and the settings that control each phase. Do This If Your Water Softener Is Leaking, This Is How A Water Softener Motor Failure Looks Like. The water softener is not different from other machines we use, it produces a specific smooth sound. So if you have a small system compared to the water pressure coming to your house, then this problem is predictable. For the cleaning work, the most important thing to keep in mind is to follow the manufacturer instructions to put the system in the bypass mode. Running a test that proves the effectiveness of your system is a must at a certain point. As it appears to be responsible for the blockage of the process in which the resin tank draws the brine. However, you have to be careful; if you notice scaling inside the tank, then it is time to clean it because it can cause your softener to malfunction. A high water level in the salt tank indicates an existing issue in your system and could interrupt the regeneration cycle. and promotions, // Tennessee Tuxedo Professor Whoopee, How To Toast A Bagel In The Oven, Beethoven Movie Review, Shenandoah Shepherd Rescue, Wall Cleaning Tools, Best Digital Ads,