Water Softener Regeneration Woes – Troubleshooting and Repairing Regeneration Problems

A water softener’s resin beads get a flush and a recharge during the regeneration cycle. This process uses up salt from the brine tank.

If the system’s regeneration timer fails to trigger this cycle, you may notice a change in your water quality. Several common problems can cause this.

Failed Regeneration Cycles

Unless you have a manual water softener, most modern models automatically flush and recharge on a timed schedule. When the computer registers that the resin beads are full of hard minerals, it triggers a regeneration cycle. The brine tank deli is a salty brine solution that washes the resin beads clean of the hard minerals’ arduous process.

While the water softener regenerates and the brine solution flows through the mineral tank, the building’s water supply is routed around the system via a bypass valve. If this valve is not working correctly, the softener may stay in regeneration mode, and your household will lose access to soft water until the softener is fixed.

This indicates that the control head needs to be changed if your water softener has been running in this mode for some time. It is advisable to seek assistance from a qualified New Braunfels water softener repair specialist, as this task is somewhat complicated.

Stuck Regeneration Cycles

During the regeneration cycle, water-softener resin beads are flushed, reinvigorated with salt from your brine tank, and then backfilled. The process can take up to 2 hours, and you’ll hear hissing and running noises. It is expected, as are clunks from the system’s mechanical parts.

These sounds can indicate the presence of clogs in the water lines. The drain, injector, or brine float tank valves can all become blocked. It can prevent water flow from one tank to another, causing your system to get stuck in a continuous regeneration cycle.

A faulty circuit switch can also cause this problem. This device is responsible for signaling the start and end of a regeneration cycle, but it can fail due to electrical issues or wear and tear. The switch could also be faulty due to incorrect settings, so check and adjust your softener’s settings.

Continuous Regeneration Cycles

If you notice a constant trickling of water (or more water flowing) from your softener, it’s in continuous regeneration mode. Typically, a regen cycle requires between 30 and 100 gallons of water, depending on the softener model, size, water hardness (1 grain of hardness is about 17 ppm of calcium and magnesium in your home’s water), salt dose, and other parameters.

During the regen and backwash cycles, the water softener shuts off building water, pumps water into the salt tank to make brine, and then flushes the salt tank out. It is a pass-through process, so household water used by occupants during the regeneration or backwash cycle passes through the system without being treated.

If you notice a regen cycle that goes on for far longer than it should, check to see that the Venturi valve and float aren’t clogged. If they are, you may need to clean them. You can also see if the brine tank is full by watching its float level, which rises during a regen cycle and then presses against a mechanical switch that stops the water flow.

Faulty Regeneration Timer

Over time, your water softener’s control head (which serves as the brain of your system overseeing all operations, including the vital regeneration process) can wear out. Exposure to continuous water flow, varying water pressures, and electrical currents can all cause it to fail. As such, it can no longer direct the operation of your water softener and will get stuck in a particular regeneration cycle, which requires you to intervene manually.

Start by consulting your user manual and ensuring accurate control panel settings. Also, ensure that the valves aren’t clogged, which could prevent brine from being flushed during the regeneration process. If you still can’t figure out why your water softener is continually regenerating, consult a professional to modify the settings and make any necessary repairs. It will save you money in water usage and salt expenses. A water treatment professional can also sanitize and clean your system to keep it functioning correctly.

Faulty Motor

Occasionally, you may hear loud clunking or humming sounds that are not typical of your water softener. It is a sign that the system is malfunctioning and needs repair. Loud noises can be caused by a defective timer, a broken air valve, blocked tubes, the water supply line, or a clogged float switch.

A faulty motor is another common problem. It rotates the valve between the softening and regeneration modes, so it cannot function properly if it breaks.

Generally, you can troubleshoot your water softener with these steps. If the issue persists, consult your user manual or contact a professional. Constant draining is a clear indicator of a system stuck in the regeneration cycle, so you should switch on the bypass valve until it can be fixed. If you still experience issues, check for clogs in the tubes and replace them as needed.