When it comes to the water softeners, yes, salt is a necessity. But when the salt is too much or you add salt too frequently, you might see that your softener is not working properly. Also, iron can be the reason of this complication.
In this case, it is always better to settle for a water softener repairing procedure where you can get back the softener just like the new one! Let us check out how to repair a water softener and take it back to use!
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Step by Step Guide Water Softener Repairing
If you plan to drink and shower with clean water once again, your water softener needs a fix. Here is a step by step guide to show you how you can repair the softener without paying a lot to the professionals!
Equipment you need [Water softener repair]
- Iron-Out
- Bucket
- 4-in-1 Screwdriver
- Shop Vacuum
So you should follow the below steps for water softener repair

Solution 1: Salt Tank Cleaning
If your water softener is not as perfect as before, the first thing you should try is to clean the tank. Salt tank refers to the brine tank. In some cases, the salt usually forms a hard dome. The crust in the inner portion can ruin the flow of the water pressure.
If you keep adding a lot of salt or add salt too frequently, this can end up creating salt dome. Get a broomstick inside and all you have to do is break the salt. After that, you must dispose of it. A shop vacuum is very helpful for removing the sediment.
After the cleaning brine tank, you have to get your hands on soapy water for cleaning the brine tank properly and then rinse it again.
Solution 2: Resin Bed Cleaning
At times, the water might include iron. This might affect the resin bed. As a result, it won’t be able to remove the hard water particles. Also, it can’t replace the sodium.
All you need to do here is refresh the resin bed. For this work, get your hands on the iron-out. Run it through your hard water system. Go through the directions and apply it on the tank. After that, run the water softener so that it can purge the wastewater.
For this, take off the cover of the control valve first and search for the regeneration knob. With the help of a flat-blade screwdriver, you have to loosen the knob and then go for it.
Solution 3: Resin Tank Injector Cleaning
If there is dirty salt, the injector will get plugged with sediment. In such cases, you have to shut off the water first. For this, go through the water softener’s bypass valve. Go through manual regeneration of the softener and take off the water pressure.
Go through the both sides and remove the caps from the head of the softener bypass valve. The resin tank injector screen and the resin tank should be cleaned thoroughly now.
Frequently Asked Question on repairing a water Softener
How much does it cost to fix a water softener?
Yes, cleaning a water softener will cost you a good sum of money. In most cases, the repairing will cost you about $150 to $735. If you go through the average range of fixing a water softener, it will be about $442. In some cases, people search for a lower budget payment. You might also find professionals within $65. But it is always better to do it yourself!
What would cause the water softener stop working?
If the salt is below the adequate amount of salt that your softener requires, the softener bypass valve will not work properly. On the other hand, if you add too much salt or add salt too frequently, you might see that there is a salt dome inside which will keep away your softener from working accurately. If there is iron in your soft water, this can also be the reason behind this. It is necessary that you add an optimal amount of salt to avoid these complications with the softener.
What happens if water softeners go bad?
If your water softener system goes bad, the taste of the soft water will be bad too! If you see changes in the taste of your soft water, you have to understand that the softener is not weeding out minerals. On the other hand, slowly, you will be able to see that there are hard water spots on the glass. If you see this, you will learn that the water softener requires repair. In this case you can go through the method we have mentioned and fix it to get clean water pressure once again!
How water softener works?
When untreated water goes to the brine tank then it becomes saturated with salt (sodium). This saturated sodium water enters the resin tank. In which tiny beads attract the salt molecules and extra salt water is vanished. After entering the softened water into the resin tank the brine tank is refilled. Minerals produce water hard calcium and magnesium. It beads until zero sodium molecules existing to make the trade. The hole cycle start over again when the water softener regenerates the hard minerals.
Wrap Up
So, you have already learned how to repair a water softener! All you need now is get ready with the equipment and start working! You don’t need to invest money on the professionals for this if you can do it yourself!
If you have tried it once, leave a comment below and let us know how you did it. Also, what problems are you facing? Share it with us!