Water Softener: Why does my water softener overflow?

A faulty brine valve assembly or damaged rotor valve can cause a water softener's salt tank to overflow.

The brine valve assembly should shut off water flowing into the salt tank when brine water reaches the correct level. Replace the brine valve assembly if it doesn't shut off fill water causing brine water to overflow the tank.

A damaged rotor valve can leak water into the salt tank causing water to overflow the tank. Check the rotor valve for damage and replace the rotor valve if it leaks water into the salt tank.

water softener

THESE REPAIRS MAY HELP SOLVE YOUR WATER SOFTENER PROBLEM

JC-WS-Replace-the-water-softener-brine-valve-assembly

Replace the water softener brine valve assembly

The brine valve assembly inside the brine well controls the brine water level. The brine well won't fill properly if the brine valve assembly is damaged. Replace the brine valve assembly if it's broken or damaged.

Water softener brine valve assembly

Find the required part specific to your product.

JC-WS-Replace-the-water-softener-rotor-valve

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.

Water softener rotor valve

Find the required part specific to your product.

Symptoms for water softeners

Choose a symptom to see related water softener repairs.

Main causes: faulty brine valve assembly, bad rotor valve
Main causes: lack of electrical power, bad power transformer, faulty timer
Main causes: clogged drain hose, faulty rotor valve, leaky rotor valve seals
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: 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

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
By Lyle Weischwill
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
January 1, 2015
By Lyle Weischwill
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 5, 2022

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

By Lyle Weischwill

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

By Wayne Archer

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

January 6, 2015

How to clean a water softener

By Lyle Weischwill

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