OT - Water Softener Question

Spring Chicken

I'm trying to clean, adjust and fix everything around the Ranch that got put aside during my recent keel overhaul. Once these projects are done I can return to some really serious Egg projects, the first being blackened red fish.

But I ran into a snag on the water softener. It's a bit over six years old. Sears Kenmore model. I hope one of you will be able to help.

During routine maintenance I cleaned the "Nozzle & Venturi" as directed in the manual. Also made sure there was no "Salt Bridge," and the "Brian Valve" is floating freely.

When I turn the water on anywhere in the house it will run with normal volume and pressure for about ten seconds and then start to drop off to a trickle. I can turn the water off and within two or three minutes the pressure is back up. But then drops off again when I open a faucet.

There's nothing in the manual that addresses this.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Spring "Fowled Faucet" Chicken
Spring Texas USA

cast_and_blast

I just replaced my water softener so I learned a bunch out of necessity.

Simple question - is the a valve for "in service" that is in the wrong position?

Some questions - was the water flow an issue before the maintenance? Are you on a well or city water? Do you know the specs on your water source (hardness, iron, etc.)? Has the softener ever run out of salt? How often does it regenerate? Is the regeneration time based on elapsed time or water usage?

Not to put down the Kenmore brand, but the stuff sold at the "big box" stores and Sears and WalMart is known to be on the low end of the scale in terms of softener quality. I'm not advocating going to the other end either and going the Culligan or Rainsoft and dropping $3K on a unit.

Scott

kolbdriver

Leroy, I use to have one of those type softeners, but its was a long time ago. Can you put the valve in bypass, if so does the pressure stay up ? If so sounds like you might have a restriction in the pick up line in the tank. Does it use salt? might be a salt pellet just on the bottom of the tube, maybe got stuck there when putting the tube back in... might even be in the valve itself. Mine had a manual by you could shift for maint. hope this helps

Richard

kolbdriver

One other thing to mention Leroy, most softeners have a way to back flush manually . If yours can do that I would recommend doing it first..

Bordello

Did you have to turn the water off (by pass valve orf?)to work on it? If so, maybe it's not turned back on all the way?

Or do you have a by pass valve so that you can by pass the unit and be sure it's the unit itself that is causing the problem.

I did you have good flow before working on it??

Bordello

Spring Chicken

I'll see if I can answer all your questions:

Is the a valve for "in service" that is in the wrong position? Not now. That's where the pressure drops off. In order to get good pressure I have to leave it in bypass.

Was the water flow an issue before the maintenance? Yes, that's why I switched over to bypass until I could fix it.

Are you on a well or city water? City water.

Do you know the specs on your water source (hardness, iron, etc.)? Yes, I got the numbers from my utility district and had a sample tested. Oddly, very few people in my disrict use softeners.

Has the softener ever run out of salt? No.

How often does it regenerate? Is the regeneration time based on elapsed time or water usage? Regeneration is scheduled for the recommended time for my anticipated usage.

I agree that it is by no means 'top of the line' equipment so it's probably just worn out. I'm thinking it's probably cheaper to replace it than to repair it. At least the replacement will come with all new parts and a warranty.

Spring "Unwarranted Since Day One" Chicken

Spring Chicken

Good point. I'll check to see if that's the problem.

By the way, you missed a good party.

Spring "Tube Blockage Is Not A Good Thing" Chicken

Spring Chicken

Mine didn't mention 'back flushing' so I assume it doesn't have that option.

Spring "Flushing Is A Really Good Thing" Chicken

Spring Chicken

The in-flow water does not appear to be the problem because I get good pressure in the 'service' mode.

I think it just needs replacing.

Spring "Can't Be Replaced" Chicken

Bordello

That would be odd, I have never seen one that has a salt tank that does not have to back flush, that's how they rechare the beads that remove the hardness.

Sounds like a stuck valve somewhere and the water can't get through.

Good Luck,
Bordello

Celtic Wolf

They all do Leroy. That is what is happening during the schedule maintenance cycle. Some of them allow a manual back flush. If you have that option there should be a back flush button.

Bordello

That may be best if it's an old unit. Any chance they have a web site that may have a Q & A, your problem may be on there as well and a solution. Just a thought. I sometime will call a manufacturer to see if I can talk to someone about it. Might be worth a shot.

Good Luck,
Bordello

Bordello

Totaly agree, mine had a timer and you had to turn the dial to "backflush" then it would go back on schedule when done.

Cheers,
Bordello

Spring Chicken

The manual states: " Bypass valves) should always remain in soft water service position. Position in "bypass" only if needed for softener repairs."

I now have it in 'service' position. I also started a regeneration to make sure the regeneration cycle works properly. It takes over an hour so I'll let you know.

Thanks.

Spring "Recharged But Regenerated" Chicken

Spring Chicken

No manual backwash valve. All automatic.

Spring "Wind Up Toy" Chicken

RRP

Leroy,
I realize I'm late coming in here, but when I had a problem with my Kenmore Ultra Soft 180 I called the helpful technical service at 1-800-426-9345. I merely described my problems that were not addressed in the manual and they helped me pronto.

Spring Chicken

I'm a Taurus. I had to try fixing it the hard way LOL. There's no challenge in calling the Service Center. But as a last resort I'll try calling them if my latest attempts fail.

It's all part of my "exercise the brain" program to help ward off ..... what's that disease that makes you forget things?

Now I've got to go put some stuff on my lawn, if I can find my lawn. By the way, what exactly does a lawn look like?

Spring "I Pride Myself On Having A Good Memory Up Here In My Kidney" Chicken

RRP

LOL - I know I know...I take great pride in never looking at instructions for assembly. OTOH the problem I was having with my softener just defied common sense and after 3 days of noodling I called!

tach18k

Leroy, first are you using the softner on hot, cold or both?
If in bypass everything is fine, then there is still debris in the actuator head, you need to remove the parts you took out and flush the city water out via the removed parts. You may have some dirt before the valve and it blocking it evey time use call for water. The pickup in the salt tank is only for regeneration and not for full time water flow, so no problem there.
If bypass causes a problem then you have stuff in your lines and either back flush to a tub or laundry sink. Back flush cold water into the hot side and let it dump into the tub withoutany restrictions like an airator