Water softener repair
Hard water coming back usually means one part of the softener stopped doing its job.
If scale and spots are back, the salt level hasn't moved in a month, or you hear water running to the drain at odd hours, your softener probably needs repair. On 17-grain Rochester water, a softener that isn't working shows up fast.
What usually goes wrong
- Salt bridge. A hard shelf of salt forms in the brine tank, leaving a hollow underneath, so the unit regenerates without brine. Humid basements make this more likely.
- Mushed salt. Cheap or fine salt can turn to sludge at the bottom of the tank and clog the brine pickup.
- Clogged injector or brine line. The valve can't draw brine, so the resin never recharges.
- Worn seals, spacers or piston. Water leaks to the drain or hard water slips past.
- Tired resin. After many years, or with iron from a well, resin holds less hardness.
- Lost settings. A power outage can reset older controls.
Checks before you call
- Confirm the bypass is set to service.
- Check that the control has power and the correct time.
- Push a broom handle gently into the salt to feel for a bridge.
- Write down the brand, model and age from the control head label.
Repair or replace?
A good tank with an available valve can often be rebuilt. If the unit is old, parts are scarce, or it was sized wrong for your water, replacement may make more sense, especially if a newer model would use less salt. See salt-saving upgrades.
What affects the cost
The failed part, the brand and parts availability, whether resin needs replacing, and travel to rural addresses. The company quotes the repair after diagnosing it.
Towns we connect you with help in
Common questions
Why is my softener full of salt but the water is hard?
A salt bridge, a clogged injector or a control problem can stop the unit from drawing brine. Check for a crust in the brine tank first.
How long does softener resin last?
It varies with water quality and use. Iron and chlorine shorten resin life. A technician can test whether the resin is still holding hardness.
Can any brand be repaired?
Many companies service several brands. Give them the brand and model when you call so they can check parts.
Related services
- Water softener installation
- Salt-saving softener upgrades
- Reverse osmosis drinking water
- Well water treatment
More background: Olmsted County hard water guide.
Crusty faucets or a softener that quit?
One call puts you in touch with a water treatment company that works in Rochester and nearby towns.