© Copyright 2002 Zoeller Co. All rights reserved.
13
WATER SOFTENER TROUBLE SHOOTING
JUST INSTALLED UNIT AND WATER IS NOT SOFT
WATER TASTES SALTY OR BRINE TANK FILLS WITH WATER
WHAT TO CHECK
Has unit been properly installed?
Shut-off valves in piping haven’t been properly shut
off, causing hard water to by-pass unit.
Three valve bypass in service mode.
Is unit piped in backwards?
Hot water tank hardness.
Is there resin in the tank?
Valve head not working correctly and causing water
flow not to go through softener.
Softener has been undersized and does not effective-
ly remove the amount of hardness in your water.
Water flow rate going through the softener is not
allowing time for the unit to soften.
HOW TO CORRECT
Reread instructions to see that all steps were followed.
Make sure shut-off valves on piping going into and out of soft-
ener are open and the valve in between is closed.
Open inlet and outlet valves, close bypass valve.
Check arrows where pipe threads into valve head and make sure
water is flowing consistent with the direction arrows.
Allow sufficient time for hardness that has built up in your water
heater and pipes to run through the system. Repeated flushing of
the water heater tank can also be done.
Softeners ship with resin already in the tank. Make sure the resin
has not been emptied or dumped. Put a trouble light behind resin
tank and you should be able to see the resin through the mineral
tank. (approximately 3/4 full.)
Shut off water supply, depressurize the unit, unscrew the valve
head from unit and exchange it.
Draw a sample of untreated water before it goes through the soft-
ener and a sample of treated water after the softener. Have the
samples analyzed to see if any hardness is being removed.
Open an outside faucet and fill a measured bucket up with water
for 1 minute. The amount of gallons in the bucket tells you how
many gallons per minute is being run through the softener. Call
1-800-928-PUMP to see what the GPM limit is on the specific
unit you have purchase. Add a flow control accessory to your unit
if needed. Maximum flow through unit is 8 gallons per minute.
WHAT TO CHECK
Is backwash water flowing freely down to drain with
an air gap and no back siphoning?
Brine line and connections not allowing salt solution
into mineral tank to regenerate.
Injector or injector screen plugged.
HOW TO CORRECT
Inspect drain line. Where the drain line is elevated above the valve
(limit 8 feet) and/or exceeds 20 feet in length, 3/4” I.D. drain line is
recommended. Elbows and other fittings in the drain line must be
kept to a minimum.
Visually check tubing for cracks or kinks. Check fittings for proper
assembly and tightness.
Remove the 2 screws and clean screen and injector nozzle and
venturi.
