Jennifer Posted on Mar 20, 2014

Softener not filtering water through the salt and not draining water from tank

Tank of softener is about 75% full of water. Doesnt seem to want to go anywhere. I can press the cycle button, and it runs, but nothing is happening with the water in the tank or the salt. The salt is just dissolving on its own in the tank with time. It doesnt seem to be filtering any water through the salt pellets. Any suggestions? Serious hard water going on. All appliances are being affected.

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Rolly North

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Posted on Jun 16, 2014

Rolly North

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Joined: Jan 09, 2010

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What model of water softener do you have ? The one you have on here is for a chemical, not a water softener. Usually it is the brine injector or commonly called the nozzle/venture that gets clogged and will not create a vacuum to draw out the brine water. If you can put a picture of your water softener on here. I'd be more than happy to help you out.

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1helpful

2answers

Break up salt in water softener

Hi Katie,
There are times when it may be necessary to break up the water softener salt in the salt tank. When a "Salt Bridge" occurs moisture has been drawn up into the salt and formed a crust on the water softener salt. When a salt bridge occurs there are two ways to correct it. You can lightly tap away at the salt bridge with a broom handle or stick until it dislodges and all falls down to the proper salt or water level. You can also pour about a gallon of hot water across the salt bridge to break it down. DO NOT poke the stick all the way to the bottom of the salt tank as this can potentially damage some parts of the salt tank. Frequently using some hot water and a stick will easily dislodge the salt bridge. Salt bridging is a common problem with water softeners and is usually caused by using pellet-type water softener salt and/or the water softener not working properly.

Using a better grade of water softener salts like Hardi Cube or Dura Cube salt will alleviate this problem. After fixing a salt bridge always manually regenerate your water softener two days in a row to assure you have soft water again.

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May 16, 2022 • Dishwashers

tip

Water softener salt bridging

One of the most frequent problems with water softening systems is salt bridging in the salt/brine tank. There are several reasons for salt bridging to occur. This generally occurs when pellet type salts or potassium chloride is used to regenerate the water softening system. Pellet type salts contain binding agents that in turn give the salt a very starchy consistency when wet. As water evaporates in the brine tank the pellet salts partially dissolve, bind together and form a "salt bridge" in the tank. Potassium chloride (Kcl) acts in the same way. Excess water in the salt tank, with high salt levels, can also cause salt bridging. Improper softener brining and lack of proper brine refill will cause bridging to occur as well.

What is the best way to alleviate these problems?

1. When using pellet type salts or potassium chloride only keep the salt tank about 1/2 full. This prevents too much compaction of the salts and helps to prevent bridging. When using potassium chloride get the salt tank off the floor on a wooden platform to prevent wicking of moisture from concrete floors.

2. Use a high grade of salt. Most water treatment dealers use either
DuraCube or HardiCube water softener salts produced by Cargill Corp.
Cargill has a link to find dealers in your area.
https://saltapps.cargill.com/cargillsalt/product_locator_new.asp

Solar Salt is another option as the crystal structure is very hard and virtually impossible to bridge. This is also available from many Cargill salt dealers and in stores.

3. Let the salt tank run down to 80-100lbs of salt or potassium a couple times per year to help prevent buildup of dissolved salts in brine tank.

4. Yearly maintenance of the water treatment system helps also. Restrictions in the brining system (injector/eductor assembly) caused by sediment and oxidized iron buildup cause improper brining and too much water in salt tank during refill. Have this assembly cleaned yearly. Have the water tested to see if the water chemistry or usage have changed and adjustments to the system are necessary.

5. Avoid using rock salts to prevent buildup of sediment in brine tank (which causes service problems).

Practice these tips and you will have fewer water softener problems and more consistent quality softened water.

I wish you good water!
H2O Services

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on May 17, 2011 • Water Dispensing & Filtration

0helpful

2answers

My water boss salt tank is full of water is that normal or is something else going on

No, too much water in the brine tank is NOT normal. The water level only be should 6-12 inches under normal settings. This may be caused be caused by an air link some where in the brine valve assembly or a loose connection. Check any drain line blockage or call Tampa Water Treatment Aquias for repair if you live in Florida.
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aquiasmainlogo1-1024x506-j4tdqlkgtyqxjygjlxtuv1ih-2-0.png

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Oct 13, 2018 • Dishwashers

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1answer

Kenmore Water Softener does not advance through cycles

You can send to the company for repair too ! If it sill under warrenty to fix it and aslo don't try the step anymore it might cause some parts damage that the service provider my charge you more.

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Dec 09, 2013 • Washing Machines

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1answer

Water in salt tank looked bad so i drained it should i put a couple of gallons of water in the salt tank after draining it to get circulation back again ?

The main problem in water softening units is that people continually use pool salt because it is cheaper. Most find eventually that it is not as it blocks the medium in the tank with sediment and rubbish. You may have to replace the medium in the system and restart the regeneration process Best policy is to use only kiln dried water softener salt It IS different.

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Feb 10, 2013 • Tools & Hardware - Others

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1answer

Waterside water softener model MC250 Dear Sir, Salt level did not go down during regeneration. I poured 2 pints of warm water to break solidified tablet salt, I found moist salt, but very little water in...

the salt in use should water softener salt and nothing else
there is water added to the salt crystals up to the overflow hole
during regeneration that salty water (Brime) is drawn into the unit and upon finishing the process that reserve is refilled for the next time
there is little salt actually used during the regeneration process ( around 4 regenerations to a 25 kg bad )

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Apr 13, 2017 • Dishwashers

5helpful

2answers

What is Salt Bridging in a Culligan Water Softener

Salt bridging can occur in any water softener "salt tank". A salt bridge occurs when a hard crust of salt develops across the salt tank when the salt wicks up moisture. The salt does not fall down in the salt tank in between regenerations and a "bridge" occurs. It may look like the salt tank is full but there will be a hollow area at the bottom of the salt tank and not enough salt to develop the proper brine for regeneration of softener. This generally happens when the salt tank is a least 1/2 full of salt. If the system has a separate salt tank, shaking the tank will break the bridge usually. Gently poking a stick at the bridge can break it up also but can damage the salt grid if you poke the stick too far down in the salt tank. Certain salts, such as pellet salt are highly prone to this problem. Using Dura Cube, Hardi Cube or Solar salt will greatly reduce the chance of bridging. Any time a salt bridge occurs it will take 3 regenerations of the water softener (in 24 hrs), after fixing it, to regain the reserve capacity and totally soft water.
RJ

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Oct 27, 2011 • Culligan Sediment Water Filter

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1answer

My water softener emptied im not sure how long it was empty for but I dont think it was too long I filled it with salt and now it doesnt work. It still regenerates but im getting hard water still any...

Do you mean the salt tank was empty? If so fill salt tank half way wait about 6 hrs for brine to develop. Manually regenerate softener 2x within 24 hrs. When the salt runs out the resin becomes saturated with hardness minerals. It takes at least 2 regeneration cycles back to back to completely restore soft water. Also the hot water will take some time to get soft. It will help to flush water heater after cold water is consistently soft.
I hope this helps,
h2oservices

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Feb 26, 2011 • Culligan Compatible S7011C RS23SED5...

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