Water softeners: not softening, brine tank problems and upkeep

A water softener swaps the minerals that make water hard for sodium, using salt in a brine tank to recharge its resin. The usual trouble is water that's not softening, often out of salt, a salt bridge or a bypass valve left in bypass, or a brine tank full of water, which points to a clogged injector, a kinked line or a stuck float.

Common problems
How long it should last

Typical lifespan: 10 to 15 years

Signs it is near the end:

  • The water stays hard even with salt, correct settings and the valve out of bypass.
  • Spots and scale come back soon after a repair.
  • The brine tank keeps flooding or never draws down.
  • Repairs are adding up on a unit close to 10 to 15 years old.
Basic upkeep
  • Check the salt level in the brine tank and keep it topped up.
  • Look for a hard crust on top of the salt, and break it up gently without puncturing the tank.
  • Make sure the bypass valve is set to service.
  • After a power outage, check the control head's time and hardness setting.
  • Unplug the unit before opening the control head.
Common fixes

  • Furnace won't heat?

    FurnaceFall

    The furnace runs but the house stays cold, which is usually a clogged filter, a thermostat setting, or an ignition fault.

  • Heat pump not heating?

    Heat pumpFall

    The heat pump runs but the house stays cold, which is usually thermostat settings, a clogged filter, or an iced-over outdoor unit.

  • Washer won't drain?

    Washer

    Water is left in the drum after the cycle, which is usually a clogged pump filter or a kinked drain hose.

  • Fridge not cooling?

    Fridge

    The fridge section is warm or warming. The cause depends on whether the freezer is still cold, and the first fix is often free.

  • Washer won't spin?

    Washer

    The drum fills and washes but won't spin, which is usually an unbalanced load, the lid switch, or a drain problem.

Sharpen the read

Diagnose your water softener in seconds, for free

No account, no phone number. Fixology’s AI reads your photo and tells you what’s likely wrong, how worried to be, and whether it’s a DIY fix.

Snap one of these:

  • the brine tank with its lid off, showing the salt and water level
  • the control head display
  • the bypass valve
  • the drain line

Add a note or more photos next. Nobody calls you.

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