Water Softener Repair & Service
Water softener service is typically recommended on an annual basis or for other water filtration equipment to ensure proper operation and for maximizing the useful life of your equipment. This will also reduce the chances of a needed water softener repair. However, there may be interim functioning issues which can be diagnosed and remedied by the homeowner. There are various brands of water softeners, some more efficient than others in terms of water usage and salt requirements. Some models are capable of conditioning larger volumes of water, therefore estimated water usage prior to selecting a system is important. For elevated levels of iron and/or manganese, an up-flow water softener (versus down-flow) is highly recommended to avoid damaging mineral build-up at the bottom of the tank. For complicated problems, contacting your water treatment service technician for water softener repair is your best option. Below are some of the more common symptoms of problems with your water softener.
High Efficiency Water Softener
IF WATER SOFTENER IS NOT WORKING
Make sure the water softener is actually “on” and working, that is, that the system has power, then:
- Check salt tank: Is there salt in the brine tank? If not, add at least a few bags salt to the tank.
- Check power to the softener: If the unit uses electricity to run a timer, be sure it’s plugged in to a live outlet and has power. Some water conditioners use a low-voltage transformer to power the control – be sure that device is present, plugged in, and working. Also, a power failure could cause the timer to be improperly set. Re-set the day of week and time of day on the water softener timer after an electrical power failure or after the softener has been powered “off” for a time.
- Check the water softener bypass valve: You want first to see that the water softener is not on “bypass” – is household water flowing through the unit? This valve is an option and may not be installed on your unit, but there may be standard plumbing valves or globe valves that accomplish the same purpose.
- Manually regeneration cycle: Then try a manual regeneration cycle – you’ll see on most units a lever you can push on the control box to start that regeneration process. Note: your home will not be delivered conditioned or softened water while the water softener is in the regeneration cycle, therefore, its best not to use water (or use as little as possible- flushing toilets is OK, etc.) in the home until the regeneration process is complete. This is why most programmed regeneration is set for late at night when water usage is much less likely.
- Feel & test the water supply: if you can’t get a lather when bathing the system may not be sufficiently treating the water.
SOME OTHER WATER SOFTENER REPAIR SYMPTOMS
Without fully diagnosing, it can be very difficult to determine what is really causing the problem and whether of not a water softener repair is even necessary. This is where a service technician will be able to trouble shoot the situation and come to a determination and solution to the problem. While there are so many possible symptoms and problems a softener may experience, the following are a few that you may see.
- Excessive salt usage by the system, requiring higher than normal salt tank fill ups
- Staining on home fixtures even though the water softener seems to be running properly
- Mineral discharge from the water softener and into the home’s water supply
- Loss of water pressure downstream from the softener
- Hard water evidence observed right after a regeneration cycle.
