April 19, 2023

Water Softener: Why are water softener resin beads in my water?

A broken screen or failed seal in the upper distributor can allow water softener resin beads to escape into the water supply. A cracked upper distributor also can cause this problem.

Unplug the water softener and shut off the water supply, then remove the valve assembly and inspect the upper distributor components. Replace the screen if it's torn or damaged. Replace the screen seal if it's damaged. Replace the upper distributor if it's cracked.

You'll need to add resin beads to the filter or replace the resin beads after repairing the upper distributor.

water softener

THESE REPAIRS MAY HELP SOLVE YOUR WATER SOFTENER PROBLEM

JC-WS-Replace-the-water-softener-water-resin-beads

Replace the water softener resin beads

As the water flows through the resin tank, resin beads act as magnets to attract and remove the hard water minerals that make the water hard. Resin beads last for about 10 years before losing effectiveness. Replace the resin beads every 10 years or when you notice that the water softener no longer softens water despite preventive maintenance and system troubleshooting.

Water softener resin beads

Find the required part specific to your product.

Symptoms for water softeners

Choose a symptom to see related water softener repairs.

Main causes: lack of electrical power, bad power transformer, faulty timer
Main causes: empty salt tank, salt bridge, depleted resin, clogged or damaged venturi, broken rotor position switch, failed timer
Main causes: broken resin tank screen, bad resin tank seals, cracked upper distributor in resin tank
Main causes: broken water flow meter, faulty timer, water flow to softener is bypassed
Main causes: salt bridge inside the salt tank, bad timer, valve motor failure, faulty rotor valve, clogged venturi
Main causes: loose water line connections, cracked water-carrying components, bad rotor valve seals
Main causes: faulty brine valve assembly, bad rotor valve
Main causes: clogged drain hose, faulty rotor valve, leaky rotor valve seals

Repair guides for water softeners

These step-by-step repair guides will help you safely fix what’s broken on your water softener.

How to replace a water softener venturi

The venturi valve in your water softener draws brine water from the salt tank to the resin tank for regeneration. Follow these steps to replace a damaged venturi.

Repair difficulty
Time required
 15 minutes or less
How to replace a water softener rotor position switch

The rotor position switch detects the position of the valve rotor. If the rotor position switch fails, follow these steps to replace it in about half an hour.

Repair difficulty
Time required
 30 minutes or less
How to replace a water softener timer

The timer is the control board you use to program the water softener. If the timer isn’t accepting commands when you push the buttons or if the display won’t power up, replace the timer.

Repair difficulty
Time required
 15 minutes or less

Articles and videos for water softeners

Use the advice and tips in these articles and videos to get the most out of your water softener.

August 05, 2022

Introducing new technical repair content that we’re developing for the Sears Technical Institute

Introducing new technical repair content that we’re developing for the Sears Technical Institute

Learn about Sears Technical Institute and the advanced technical content being developed for aspiring appliance techs.

April 10, 2020

Cleaning your appliances after a drinking water advisory

Cleaning your appliances after a drinking water advisory

Find out how to clean and flush household appliances once a boil water advisory is lifted.

January 06, 2015

How to clean a water softener

How to clean a water softener

Keeping a water softener clean inside and out improves operation and appearance.