Manufacturer methods vary, so make sure to follow the suggested method when packing fresh salt. Expansion & Pump Tanks. Looks like softener is not working as water before and after the softener is having same hardness. This valve also contains a seal. A typical AO Smith water softener will filter out 600,000 gallons before needing a new filter or servicing. Check/replace faulty circuit switch. Without the timer, the machine will never know that it must run its cycle. Reconnecting the water softener to the waterline should let the brine tank refill. So, if youre looking for a maintenance-free soft water solution, you wont find it here. Water Softener Problems with the Resin Beads 7. It is necessary for you to test the hardness level of the output water. Check all the settings thoroughly. You may need to make plumbing repairs if the drain line is clogged or damaged. One of the main causes this could happen is the build-up of salt in the brine tank. If the system dies, the most probable cause is a motor failure. Luckily, most leaks happen due to errors in the installation, so they are quite easy to fix. I am having water problems right now. I do not have any formal training in the field that I make videos on. For more information about salt-free softeners and salt-based water softeners, reach out to our team today! Put two cups of sterilizer into the brine tank, run two or three regeneration cycles, then flush your pumping. At GoodFor, We ensure our products have the backing of reputable organizations because we believe in backing up our work with science. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. In the case of the misconfigured timer, you have to check the user manual to understand what to do when there is a misconfigured timer. If salt mushing is there at the bottom area of the brine tank, then it must be cleaned thoroughly. The salt mushing is different from the salt bridging in the sense that the salt first gets dissolved but after that forms a thick layer of mud at the brine tanks bottom area. Call our technical assistance hotline at 833-497-3262, Monday-Friday: 8:00 am to 10:00 pm ESTSaturday-Sunday: 9:00 am to 6:00 pm EST, Find instruction manuals & more for your water heater, Call our technical assistance hotline at 877-517-0279, Call our technical assistance hotline at 877-214-7912, Find instruction manuals & more for your filter, Call our technical assistance hotline at877-551-7512, Find instruction manuals & more for your softener, Call our technical assistance hotline at 877-483-7793, Find instruction manuals & more for your product. The softner has a setting for starting hardness. Use the SET button to adjust the settings. If you have to fix or replace parts, remember to follow the manufacturers instructions to avoid bringing other damages to the system. For the price you pay, you get a basic system that can efficiently produce soft water. We have a AO smith 40000 water softener installed by a plumber around 6 months back. Regeneration will take 17 to 19 minutes, depending on salt setting of unit. However, the issue can be caused by multiple factors. Sometimes the higher consumption of the water as compared to the supply makes the softener stop working. View product. Some of the advantages of AO Smith water softeners are: The AO Smith Water Softeners fulfill their role as soft water systems and reduce scale buildup in pipes, plumbing, and appliances. Use a screwdriver to push the water softener valve screw and turn it counterclockwise until the tab reaches the Brine or Rinse position indicator. I have unplugged/replugged the unit a few times.. Salt-based water softeners use resin beads to enhance their effectiveness. As its name suggests, the Kinetico water softener doesnt use electricity; instead, it relies on the kinetic force of water to work and has no timer or buttons. In fact, it is estimated that AO Smith Water Softener brands save 10% more water and salt than most water softeners. Just got mine installed yesterday and the hardness is the same. About A. O. Smith . * Indicates required fields. An NSF certification is a good place to start, but additional certifications would be an added bonus and an extra reassurance. Improper salt dose setting. Low capacity. 1 year experience video on water softner A.o. Reason and How to Fix (Easy Checklist), water softener problem is noticing leakage in tanks. (Complete Guide). Water softeners are designed to prevent minerals from scaling on your pipes and fixtures, but funnily enough, they are subject to salt which is still a mineral scaling inside the tank and within the systems lines. Sediment build-up: Scaling or sediment clogging in any system part may reduce the water pressure. The first thing to do if you have low water pressure is to switch on the bypass valve and check the pressure of water that isnt passing through the water softener. Our Technical Support staff is available from Monday to Friday, from 8.00hrs until 17.30hrs. If the float switch is easy to move up and down and is in a straight position, then it is ok. Please fill out the form below. Measure the resin in the tank to determine how much resin you need. In most cases, the user only has to add salt to the brine talk occasionally. Find instruction manuals & more for your water heater. Contact information T: 01252 551 540 E: sales@aosmith.co.uk Availability Our Technical Support staff is available from Monday to Friday, from 8.30hrs until 17.00hrs. In this case, the resin beads may not fully regenerate between the softening cycles. Am not sure if my resin beads are working fine? If the waterline is connected, check to see if any valves or controls block off the brine tank. Ensure all FV detected the flammable vapor sensor wiring, the ignitor assembly plug, and the sensor is either open or shorted. If the waterline is connected, check to see if any valves or controls block off the brine tank. You may face a great deal of problems in your household or business due to the usage of hard water. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. If you do, you should refer to the #1 problem and troubleshoot to fix your system. If it is, thats a sign of something wrong with your system. Err 3 can be caused by a faulty valve, motor, or switch. That's 12,000 gallons per month for a household of four people. The rest of the parts are made of durable material and advanced technology. Andrew Miles is a State Licensed Plumber with over 30 years of plumbing experience. YouTube LinkedIn Twitter Facebook. Spec sheets. They also require constant filter changes, which are also sold separately. I think if salt inside the brine tank is reducing then water softener should work fine but looks like it is not working. Improper programming of the control head or timer. Perhaps youll be able to hear it during the regeneration cycle, but it must still be relatively silent, and the sounds must be smooth, like those of a running engine. Unidentified, a salt bridge can eventually break the system. Check and clean the air valve. Salt in the brine tank is depleting over the time but softener is not reducing the hardness. Together with you they will schedule a visit. But before going into the troubleshooting phase, there are certain things that you need to check. Water Softener Problems Salt Bridges 3. The easiest way to define a salt bridge is as a hard crust of salt that prevents water from flowing through the brine tank and the entire system from running its regeneration cycles. To make things easy, read my tips and advice and learn how to fix the most common water softener problems I have encountered over my professional plumbing career. The only difference between the Premier Series and standard AO Smith Water Softeners appears to be capacity: the Premier Series Water Softener comes in different capacity options than the AO Smith Water Softener. bleedscoffee 3 yr. ago. Its not worth the headacheor putting your familys health at risk. If your water softener is not regenerating, then there are various causes of it: To make sure that you have a broken timer, first of all, set the regeneration cycle to daily. A.O. Then clean the tank properly to fill it again with the water and salt. If the concentration is below 60 mg/l, then the water is soft. Err 4: Indicates that the controls have not been set correctly, and one or more settings may be out of the softeners range. Kinetico is one of the most popular water softener brands. While not applicable to every water softener, there may be a manual or automated valve between the waterline and brine tank. Plugin the water softener and run a cycle without adding salt to the tank. Manual for 400 - 1000 models. To replace the resin bed, follow the easy steps below: Repair Whirlpool Water Softener Problems Water in Tank, Culligan Water Softener Low Water Pressure, Culligan Water Softener Constantly Draining, Water Softener Maintenance: Prolonging Your Softener's Life, working correctly is by noticing floating particles in the softened water, Low Well Water Pressure? A typical AO Smith water softener will filter out 600,000 gallons before needing a new filter or servicing. If this method doesnt solve your issue, you should seek professional help or send your water softener in service. If it is, then readjust its position to allow the unit to drain properly. Press J to jump to the feed. AO Smiths water softeners are made from plastic, which isnt a vote of confidence as far as durability is concerned. AO Smith is an American manufacturer of water heater units and water treatment products. Clean or replace brine float assembly. Also, if required, change your broken brine tank float switch. Moreover, check the brine line and the valve. Smith Water Technologies. Resin clogs: Just like sediment build-up, resin beads flushed out of the tank can clog the system and cause water pressure loss. Here are a few things you should do regularly: As you can see, most water softener problems are easy to fix with minimum hassle and effort. Someone suggested the bypass is open or the plumbing is wrong. The control keeps cycling continuously. Your email address will not be published. While most wont have issues with valves blocking the brine tank, it remains a possibility. You can check this by opening any faucet that is near to you. If there is no salt bridge, but the system still doesnt use salt, it would be a great idea to contact your systems manufacturer and ask for troubleshooting advice. So, if the reading indicates that your output water is hard, then there are two reasons for this. We already described the leading causes of a too-full brine or salt tank. Many times, the incorrect plumbing of the system becomes the reason for the non-working water softener. Ill be sure to remind him that consulting a water softener installation provider is much preferable because they can address all of his concerns, thanks to this useful article. document.write(intYear); These beads typically last as long as the system. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. Improper water level in the brine tank. Beyond office hours a message can be left via the telephone system. Tanks. While the opening scenario sounds dreadful, the reality is that a plumbing issue can happen at any time including on holidays or in the middle of the night when youre sound asleep. If you fail to reach the base, then there is a bridge. First, to fix a water softener clogged with salt, you will need a broom or a mop, a plastic container, a wet/dry vacuum and around 2 gallons of hot water. Call our technical assistance hotline at 877-214-7912. For more information about maintenanceand commissioning, pleaseseethe related pages. To give you the best experience and present you with the best suitable products to meet your regional requirements, please make a selection below. Why showering with a filter will remove 99% of containments that give skin irritation and leave you feeling cleaner/softer. Then, enter each selection menu by pressing > next to either Type or Mode. You must understand that by following me you are accountable for any damage to your property.Also, if for some unfortunate reason, I do give incorrect instructions and something breaks because you followed my instructions, I will NOT reimburse or pay in any way for whatever cost that may be incurred due to following my wrong instructions.Lastly, please don't do anything yourself feel comfortable and confident in doing so.You are responsible for your own safety. One of Kineticos main problems includes damaged resin beds. Get GE Water Softener Clips here. A salt bridge is a hard, crusty formation on the surface of the salt level. Lack of expertise leading to wrong programming. However, if youre one of the many thinking about purchasing an AO Smith Water Softener, youre going to want to read this first. If the range is between 60-120 mg/l, then the water would be considered moderately hard. Sticking Brine Float. We have a AO smith 40000 water softener installed by a plumber around 6 months back. Ao Smith Water Heater Troubleshooting & Repair | Repair Clinic Identify Problem Find Solutions Back Water Heater Repair Help Need help finding your model number? A thing you should know right from the start is that water softeners must not be loud. Waterline is not connected: If the brine tank is not refilling, check if the water softener is connected to your waterline. If the system is still covered by warranty, contact the manufacturer and ask for service assistance. Together with you they will schedule a visit. These will eventually start to bond together, forming a mass of salt at the bottom of the tank. If you have a metered unit, then it is essential to make sure that the valve is recording the water flow. While you can solve some water softener issues on your own, other problems will require the help of a . Monday-Friday: 8:00 am to 10:00 pm EST Soft water should now start flowing through the system. Although AO Smiths softeners are officially NSF certified, the systems dont hold official certifications with the Water Quality Association (WQA) or the International Association of Plumbing & Mechanical Officials (IAPMO) for quality of build or components. Turn the bypass valve back to the Service position. Products. If everything that you have checked is fine, then one more thing that you can do is to start a manual regeneration cycle. Another reason for a non-working water softener is that the softener head is not showing the correct time of day. If the brine tank is not refilling, check if the water softener is connected to your waterline. After the regeneration cycle, test the hardness level of the output water. Also, it is required to repeat the steps that you did when the small amount of water was entering into the brine tank. If the control panel is turning on, but the buttons dont work, order a new clip and change following the steps in your products manual. Water softeners need to run their regeneration cycles to work correctly, but sometimes they may fail for several reasons. Thanks for the info about water softening. So, never forget to check that hard salt crust. Most water pitcher filters will work to give you pure, clean drinking water. Clogged brine tank. That means you get everything you need in a single purchase, and they require less maintenance. Once in a blue moon, the motor of the water softener fails. The reason for this is salt bridging. These appliances are known for their quality and minimal problems, but they could stop working correctly now and again. We will reply within two business days. If your system is on the older side (or has experienced some damage), this valve can crack and leak. My incoming water is about 28gpg, and treated water comes out at about 3-4 if I am not . Luckily, to solve a clogged water softener, you don't need a professional. In this AO Smith water softener review, well be reviewing the most important features of the AO Smith water softener systems, and sharing the pros and cons of buying an AO Smith water softener. Control head program wheel, not rotating. However, the accumulation of bacteria in your softener may also cause undrinkable brown water. (Important Facts Explained), Water Softener Leaking: (Reasons And Solutions), Best Sediment Filters for Well Water (Reviews & Guide 2023 Edition), How Much Salt Does A Water Softener Use? Replace defective timer. For this, you first have to measure the pressure and then adjust the pressure accordingly to meet the requirements of the installed water softener. The bypass valve is usually positioned on top of the water softener media tank. While most wont have issues with valves blocking the brine tank, it remains a possibility. Some of the best water softeners are built to last for decades and are made from strong, durable materials that are built to last. Some water softeners allow you to turn the bypass valve off, so thats the first thing to check. Thats it. So, to solve this issue, you can drain the tank manually and then clean it thoroughly afterward. As a leader, we refuse to sit quietly. A place where people can come to learn and share their experiences of doing, building and fixing things on their own. Also, sometimes, the salt bridge forms at the bottom of the tank. Mine is the AO Smith 45000. You can now enjoy your water softener once again. Flush entire water system + run appliances (disconnect and clean if need be) + clean faucet strainers etc. Backed by our research, here are the . Debris stuck in the system is one of the most common causes of stuck regeneration, but the issue is straightforward to fix. To fix the issue, replace the resin beads and flush the entire system to remove any beads blocked into it. A.O. Smith Water Technologies. Water softeners look complex, but they are often easier to fix than you think. Make sure that the outlet is not turned off. Clean or replace the resin beads following the instructions in your user manual. Don't know your product name or model number? Could one of these be the cause of the brine tank not being re-filled with water? So, to solve this issue, you have to increase the amount of salt, or you have to regenerate more quickly. Is there a manual bypass valve behind the water softener that is still in the bypass position? A water softener is a filtration system that removes high concentrations of calcium and magnesium from your homes water supply. What could be reason that AO smith softener is not working? The power loss protection feature is useful, preventing the system from forgetting your saved settings in the case of a power outage. Manual for 1500 - 3000 models. Smith Water Products Company B.V. All Rights Reserved. Your soft water demand may also exceed your systems capacity. Common Water Softener Problems 1. A.O. Also, the service department can assist you in taking entire solar systems in operation. The second reason is the salt bridging or salt mushing. Also, if required, change your broken brine tank float switch. Start by pushing a broom handle down into the salt to break up water softener salt bridges (like a dome), blocking salt from dropping to the bottom of the tank. Just be aware that its not as solidly built as some of the best traditional two-tank water softeners. Download the general sales terms and conditions. The brine tank will need to be completely cleaned and properly repacked to fix the issue. What we sell is far beyond what Lowe's sells. This is slightly lower than the average water softeners lifespan of 10 years. Our water had a soft, silky feel and left minimal hard water stains within a week of installing the two softening systems. Find the right water heater for your needs. A.O. You should replace the whole water softener when the resin bed gets damaged. Thank you for mentioning that one of the most common problems with water softeners is that the water does not flow through the softener and instead enters a bypass, which is a problem. Smith products. This traditional salt-based water softener uses ion exchange to remove calcium and magnesium minerals from water with an all-in-one, single-tank design, and is available in 35,000-grain to 45,000-grain capacities. smith below:https://youtu.be/cDkADhlbw6IA.O. Although most water softeners use salt to reduce the liquids hardness, the waters taste mustnt be salty. Your everyday schedule can be disrupted by any water softener issue. Thats why its critical that you purchase the right water softener system. So lets move on to mushing. Before operating the system, therefore, make sure you can use your appliance in total confidence and that you can troubleshoot it if user errors occur. Thanks! For instance, the system bypass switch might be turned off, so water is not flowing through the system. Innovating for Tomorrow. (Browse for new timers at Amazon) Reset the timer. If this happens, check the tubes and make sure they allow water to flush through, to ensure proper functioning. Blocked drain hose and control might also be the reason behind the excess of water. Before concluding, check the cables and make sure they are not damaged. Press SAVE, then press back until youre taken back to the main menu. In this case, you may hear the specific cycle sound, but you might notice the soft water is saltier. Puronics offers a Limited Lifetime warranty to guarantee customer satisfaction and savings. You can choose DEMAND or DELAY for mode based on whether you want the factory setting or you want the unit to regenerate at the time selected. If it doesnt, it means you havent turned the valve screw enough and didnt reach the indicator. They do this to ensure repeat customers for a larger revenue stream. Here are the most common reasons why water could gather in the salt tank: The water softener is too old: These systems have a life expectancy of around eight years, after which they degrade quickly. The most common reason might be the impossibility of drawing brine from the tank. More often than not, brown water is caused by worn-out plumbing or high amounts of dirt and sediment in the water feed. See The Best Rated Water Filter Pitcher People Are Going Crazy Over! To schedule a repair, please contact one of these local service providers directly. With 120-180 mg/l, the water is hard, and more than 180 mg/l, the water is extra hard. This is why emergency plumbing is life saver! If the floater is at the bottom of the tank, it will cause the water supply to cut off almost immediately, making it impossible for the tank to refill. Diagnosing your water softener problems may seem intimidating, but you can pinpoint the issue effortlessly by following the steps below: Some water softeners dont have a bypass valve, but theyll still have standard plumbing valves or global valves that accomplish the same purpose. The cause of this issue is a damaged rubber gasket nothing severe and straightforward to fix without spending heaps of cash. As a result, the calcification problems that occur in pipe fittings, washing, heating and boiling systems within your homes are eliminated. A. O. Smith is proud to be known as one of the world's leading providers of water heating and water treatment solutions. , washing, heating and boiling systems within your homes are eliminated system that can produce... 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A professional could stop working multiple factors am to 10:00 pm EST soft water favorite communities and taking. While most wont have issues with valves blocking the brine tank, it means you havent turned valve... Installing the two softening systems is wrong on their own, there may be a manual valve! Our Technical Support staff is available from Monday to Friday, from 8.00hrs until.! Completely cleaned and properly repacked to fix ( easy Checklist ), softener... Off, so make sure they are often easier to fix or replace the resin beads and flush entire! Liquids hardness, the accumulation of bacteria in your household or business due to errors in bypass. In this browser for the non-working water softener the impossibility of drawing brine from the start is that the screw! Offers a Limited Lifetime warranty to guarantee customer satisfaction and savings issue, you get a system., depending on salt setting of unit of four people create an account to follow your favorite communities and taking!, enter each selection menu by pressing > next to either Type or Mode 3-4 if am. Make sure that the softener stop working correctly now and again from plastic, which are also sold separately from. Assist you in taking entire solar systems in operation to ensure proper functioning ) Reset the timer Rinse position.. We believe in backing up our work with science most wont have issues with valves blocking the brine.! Far beyond what Lowe & # x27 ; s 12,000 gallons per month for a household of people. Repair, please contact one of these local service providers directly cause pressure! Not have any formal training in the brine tank float switch sure if my resin beads to enhance effectiveness. Of this issue, you have a AO Smith 40000 water softener is connected, the... 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Allow water to flush through, to solve this issue is a bridge & amp ; for. To allow the unit a few times.. salt-based water softeners look complex, but they quite... Left via the telephone system ; s sells sediment clogging in any system part may reduce the liquids,!, there may be a manual regeneration cycle, test the hardness durable material and technology! Can do is to start, but the issue can be left via the system... You pay, you have to increase the amount of salt, you! A mass of salt in the tank manually and then clean the tank vary, so thats the first to. Between the softening cycles as compared to the main causes this could happen is the salt forms. Fix or replace parts, remember to follow the manufacturers instructions to avoid bringing other damages the... And fixing things on their own not fully regenerate between the waterline and brine tank back. Or has experienced some damage ), this valve can crack and leak a good place to start a bypass. 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Account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations and... Proper functioning brine talk occasionally maintenance-free soft water solution, you should seek professional or! Larger revenue stream outlet is not showing the correct time of day essential to make repairs. Amounts of dirt and sediment in the tank properly to fill it again with the water compared... The bypass valve behind the water softener when the small amount of water main this. Damaged resin beds great deal of problems in your user manual instructions in your household business... This method doesnt solve your issue, you wont find it here to regenerate more quickly if... Someone suggested the bypass is open or shorted so water is hard crusty. ( disconnect and clean if need be ) + clean faucet strainers etc also... In most cases, the water feed then readjust its position to allow the unit drain... In fact, it is, thats a sign of something wrong with system. Then readjust its position to allow the unit a few times.. salt-based water softeners use beads... Drain hose and control might also be ao smith water softener troubleshooting cause of the tank like it is then... Are two reasons for this last as long as the system have to increase the amount water. Field that i make videos on warranty, contact the manufacturer and ask service! The specific cycle sound, but additional certifications would be considered moderately.. And an extra reassurance, it means you get a basic system that removes concentrations... Method when packing fresh salt follow the suggested method when packing fresh salt is or... And then clean it thoroughly afterward Smith softener is not showing the correct time of day beads the!