Water Softener: Salty water
A clogged drain hose, faulty water softener rotor valve or leaking rotor valve seals can cause salty output water from the water softener.
A clogged drain hose can prevent brine water from being flushed from the resin filter during regeneration, causing salty water. Clear the drain hose if it's clogged.
A bad rotor valve won't direct water through the softener properly and can cause salty output water. Use the diagnostic test in the owner's manual to check the operation of the rotor. Replace the rotor valve if it won't move when the valve motor runs.
If the drain line is clear and the rotor valve moves properly in the diagnostic test, then leaking seals in the rotor valve are likely causing salty output water. Examine the rotor valve seals and replace any damaged seals.
These repairs may help solve your water softener problem
Replace the water softener rotor valve
The rotor valve directs water through the water softener to complete functions such as softening water and flushing the resin filter. A defective valve leaks water or locks up and doesn't move. Replace the rotor valve if it leaks or it's damaged.
Replace the water softener rotor valve seal
The rotor valve seal on the bottom of the rotor valve prevents water from leaking out of the valve and allows water to flow through the proper opening at the bottom of the rotor valve.
Symptoms for water softeners
Repair guides for water softeners
The valve motor rotates the valve rotor to operate the water softener. If the valve motor fails, follow these steps to replace the valve motor.
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.
The venturi draws brine water from the salt tank to the resin tank for regeneration. Follow these steps to replace a damaged venturi.
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