Why Is My Water Softener Not Working?

If your water is leaving behind a residue or drying out your hair and skin, your water softener might not be operating as it should. You might be able to figure out why is my water softener not working and fix the issue yourself, or you might need help from a professional.

Try to Diagnose the Problem 

Sometimes a water softener isn’t working because it isn’t getting power. Maybe it got unplugged somehow, or maybe a circuit was thrown and needs to be reset.

A bypass valve directs water into or away from the water softener. Make sure each handle is in the correct position. 

A water softener has to regenerate, or flush out minerals that it removes from water. That process has to take place at a specific time so it doesn’t interfere with the softener’s ability to soften new water flowing into it. Check the timer and make sure that it’s set correctly.

Too much or too little salt, or the wrong type of salt, can keep the system from operating properly. If you see a hard crust known as a salt bridge, you can break it up with a hard and blunt object. Salt mushing is a sludge that forms at the bottom of the tank. You can take care of that by draining the tank, cleaning it, and filling it with fresh salt.

A float switch controls the amount of water in the tank. Your water softener might not be working because there is a clog somewhere in the system, there is too much water in the tank, or the float switch is stuck.

The resin in a water softener’s tank wears out over time. If the resin tank contains particles that look like sand, replace the resin. 

Sometimes a problem with the motor is to blame. If the motor fails, the water softener can’t move between softening and regenerating modes. A professional can make repairs.  

Call Tri-County Water Services If You Need Help

You might discover a problem that you can’t fix yourself, or you might prefer to have a professional diagnose the issue. A member of the team at Tri-County Water Services can quickly figure out why is my water softener not working and address the issue. Call us at (610) 857-1740 to schedule an inspection.