Repair help > Water Softener repair > Water Softener symptoms

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

Choose a symptom to see related water softener repairs.

Resin beads in water

Main causes: broken resin tank screen, bad resin tank seals, cracked upper distributor in resin tank

Water overflows

Main causes: faulty brine valve assembly, bad rotor valve

Salty water

Main causes: clogged drain hose, faulty rotor valve, leaky rotor valve seals

No display

Main causes: lack of electrical power, bad power transformer, faulty timer

Leaks water

Main causes: loose water line connections, cracked water-carrying components, bad rotor valve seals

No soft water

Main causes: empty salt tank, salt bridge, depleted resin, clogged or damaged venturi, broken rotor position switch, failed timer

Not using salt

Main causes: salt bridge inside the salt tank, bad timer, valve motor failure, faulty rotor valve, clogged venturi

Water meter isn't working

Main causes: broken water flow meter, faulty timer, water flow to softener is bypassed

Repair guides for water softeners

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

January 1, 2015

How to replace a water softener rotor position switch

By Lyle Weischwill

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

January 1, 2015

How to replace a water softener venturi

By Lyle Weischwill