A water softener lowers the content of “hard” minerals in water- magnesium and calcium – and replaces them with sodium or potassium to help prolong the life of pipes and appliances.
A water softener has just a few mechanical parts- valves to control water flow in and out of the tank, and a timer, which regulates the recharging of the mineral tank by the brine tank.
If your water becomes hard , the brine tank may just need additional salt or potassium pellets. Because household demands vary, check your supply every week to determine how often the salt or potassium supply should be replenished (typically every couple of months).
An improperly set timer can ca use hard water. Adjust it to run more frequently to ensure a constant supply of soft water. Iron content also ca uses hard water. Measure the iron content of your water supply occasionally, or add a water filter to help reduce the iron flow into the water softener.
Repair problems generally arise in the brine line or the control unit. Inspect the brine line every two years for buildup of sediment from the water supply or foreign particles in the salt or potassium. If the control unit needs servicing, remove it and bring it to your nearest dealer. Follow the removal instructions in the owner’s manual for your particular unit.
Tools & Materials
Needlenose pliers
Screwdriver
Kitchen baster or funnel
How to Inspect & Clean Brine Connections
Step1: Unplug softener. Divert the water supply by turning the bypass valve, or closing the inlet valve and turning on the nearest faucet. Turn timer dial to backwash. With a needlenose pliers, remove the compression nut connecting the brine line to the control unit. Inspect line for obstructions.
Step2: Remove particles or residue from the line, using a small screwdriver. Flush line with warm water-a funnel or kitchen baster is useful for this task-then reattach the brine line.
Step3: Inspect the brine injector. Do not reconnect power or make any changes to the supply or control dial. To gain access to the brine injector, which is often directly below the brine line connection, use a screwdriver to remove the cover. Unscrew injector from housing.
Step4: Pull off the injector filter screen covering the injector. Wash it with soap and water. Blow into injector or wipe it out with a soft cloth to clean. Do not use a sharp object that might scratch the metal and damage the injector. Reattach screen and screw injector back into place. Attach the cover. Return bypass valve to original position, or open inlet valve and turn off faucet. Reset the control dial and plug in softener.
