Is your water softener full of water? Here's what to do. Need help with the repair? Contact us.
Water Softener Full of Water - Is This a Problem?
Is your water softener full of water? Then you do have a problem. A water softener's brine tank should not be full of water.
If it is, it won't be able to draw the brine solution out of the brine tank when it is in the regeneration cycle. As a result, your water will stay hard.
Your salt level should always be higher than your water level in order to achieve the right concentration of salt to water.
Your brine tank does have a safety float that will engage when it fills up too far. This is to stop it from flooding over. However, you will need to get it fixed if it is full of water.
What to Do if Your Water Softener is Full of Water
Step 3: Check the Drain Line Flow Control
Step 4: Make Sure Your Brine Line Flow Control Isn't Clogged
Step 5: Make Sure There isn't a Salt Clog in the Bottom of the Tank
Step 6: Check Your Safety Float
Keep reading for a detailed explanation of each step!
Step 1: Check Your Brine Line
Make sure that the brine line is properly attached to your brine tank into the float. The float will shut off the flow of water once it has reached a certain height. If the brine line isn't attached properly, the water will just flow straight into your tank and keep getting higher.
Check that your brine line is properly attached to your float
Source: Water eStore
Step 2: Check the Brine Drain
Make sure that your brine drain is not blocked, frozen, or kinked. If it is, then the brine solution cannot get sucked out of your tank during regeneration. This will cause a build-up of water in your tank.
Make sure your brine drain isn’t kinked or damaged
Source: Water eStore
Step 3: Check the Drain Line Flow Control
The drain line flow control regulates the amount of water that flows through your system. If it gets clogged, then it won't work properly and your water softener may become full of water. You should clean off any deposits that you see on it that may be plugging up the hole.
Clean any clogs on the drain line flow control
Source: Water eStore
Step 4: Make Sure Your Brine Line Flow Control Isn't Clogged
The brine line flow control has a very small hole, so it is easy for debris to get stuck in it and clog it up. If it is blocked, it will no longer draw brine out of your tank. If there is debris in the hole, you need to clean it out.
Clean any debris off of your brine line flow control
Source: Water eStore
Step 5: Make Sure There isn't a Salt Clog in the Bottom of the Tank
A salt clog at the bottom of your tank will restrict the flow of water, and then water will begin to build up in your tank. The following video will walk you through the process of removing a salt clog.
A salt clog at the bottom of your tank can cause a buildup of water in your tank
Step 6: Check Your Safety Float
Your water softener system will have a device known as a safety float. This mechanism is designed to shut off the water flow into the brine tank if too much water is being added.
The safety float will ensure that your water softener doesn't cause a flood. If the safety float isn't functioning properly, it will fail to shut off the water flow when it should. This can cause your tank to fill up with water.
If your safety float is sticking, you can try the following:
Carefully remove the float and run it under some hot water for a few minutes
While it is being run under the water, gently move the float up and down to make sure that it is moving freely
Check to see if the small ball in the bottom of the float is able to move freely as well
Note: Only attempt to remove and clean your safety float when your water softener is not in a regeneration mode.
If your safety float is sticking, you can try to clean it off
Step 7: Check Your Injector
Your injector creates the suction that draws the brine out of your tank. If it is clogged, then your water softener won't drain out the water from your brine tank.
The injector is quite small and can get easily clogged. If it does, remove your injector and clean it off.
You can clean it by soaking it in CLR or by using a toothpick. It's best not to use metal to clean it, as that can change the size of the hole. If it cannot be cleaned, then it may need to be replaced.
You can try soaking your injector in CLR if it is clogged
Source: Water eStore
Other Related Questions
Are there signs that would indicate that there is water in your softener?
Some of the most common signs that would tell you that there is water in your softener include:
Your softener isn't regenerating properly
Your water tastes like salt
You see brine appearing in the water lines
Your faucets and toilets begin to clog
Your water flow begins to get weaker
Can you overfill a water softener with salt?
Yes, you can. It is not a good idea to add too much salt to your water softener. If you have too much salt, then you could start to get clogs.
If you have a small family of three or four people, then you can probably just keep it half full. When it gets down to one quarter, you can refill it. If you have a larger family of if your water is very hard, then you can fill it up to the three quarter mark.
Be careful not to overfill your water softener with salt
How long should a water softener last?
Just like any other appliance, a water softener will eventually wear out and need to be replaced. On average, a water softener will last between 10 and 15 years.
Need Your Softener Repaired or Replaced? You Can Trust the Experts at WaterSmart
You can trust our trained professionals to expertly repair any problems you may have with your water softener. We will quickly and efficiently fix it regardless of whether or not you have purchased it from us. Contact us today and we will have your water softener working again in no time at all.
Save up to $250.00 on our 25th
Anniversary Sale
Right now, we have some great deals on Water Softeners!
Get our Smart Series 30, regularly $1,295.00 for just $1,195 plus HST - Save $100.00, or Our 25th Anniversary Tahoe Series 30, for just $1,345 plus HST , regularly $1,595.00 -Save $250.00 and pay using 12 Equal payments with
No Interest!
WaterSmart: We Do Plumbing too!
WaterSmart is your local water softener and plumbing experts in the Kitchener-Waterloo region.
We're proudly celebrating 25 year of professional service and we would love to put our knowledge and expertise to work for you. If you are looking for a new water softener or you require servicing for your existing unit, contact us today.
WaterSmart also offers a full range of plumbing services that include but are not limited to:
Kitchens and Bathrooms
Leaks
Toilets and Taps
Clogged or Slow Drains
Countertop Pre and Post Installation
Dishwasher Installations
Sump Pumps
Tankless Hot Water Heaters
New Plumbing and Renovations
Master Plumber and Gas Fitter
Backflow Testing or Device Installation - (see specials for savings)
Here's what WaterSmart customers are saying:
"Excellent customer care! From the initial phone call to the installation - the entire experience was helpful and focused on customer satisfaction.."
- Eric Gillespie
