Water softener issues

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BigJ273

Minister of Fire
Feb 15, 2015
676
Maryland
Calling on any water softener experts. I have a Ecowater 3500R30 that is about 12 years old. Recently, after water usage, I can hear a small amount of trickling in what sounds like the resin tank. It sounds like it’s dripping from the control head down back into the tank. It last for a few minutes, then it stops. It doesn’t always do it, but it’s started again last night. Any ideas?
 

Highbeam

Minister of Fire
Dec 28, 2006
20,533
Mt. Rainier Foothills, WA
Calling on any water softener experts. I have a Ecowater 3500R30 that is about 12 years old. Recently, after water usage, I can hear a small amount of trickling in what sounds like the resin tank. It sounds like it’s dripping from the control head down back into the tank. It last for a few minutes, then it stops. It doesn’t always do it, but it’s started again last night. Any ideas?

My backwashing filter (same head as a water sorftener) would dribble to the backwash line when the seals and/or piston had begun to leak. I replaced seals but ultimately needed a new piston to stop the trickle.

You have a stack of like 6 seals inside the head that can leak.
 

BigJ273

Minister of Fire
Feb 15, 2015
676
Maryland
I’m now starting to get air in my water lines. Pretty sure it’s coming from the water softener somehow. Possibly a bad air check valve???
 

Highbeam

Minister of Fire
Dec 28, 2006
20,533
Mt. Rainier Foothills, WA
I’m now starting to get air in my water lines. Pretty sure it’s coming from the water softener somehow. Possibly a bad air check valve???
That's from your bad seals, the thing is sucking air during the draw cycle. You're lucky it's not overflowing the brine tank.... yet.
 

BigJ273

Minister of Fire
Feb 15, 2015
676
Maryland
That's from your bad seals, the thing is sucking air during the draw cycle. You're lucky it's not overflowing the brine tank.... yet.
Bad seals where? I had a tech come out and increase the backwash time, essentially making sure no air was left after the recharge cycle. He checked everything and said it appeared fine otherwise. No more air.
 

BigJ273

Minister of Fire
Feb 15, 2015
676
Maryland
That's from your bad seals, the thing is sucking air during the draw cycle. You're lucky it's not overflowing the brine tank.... yet.
I’ve been told all water softeners suck some air during the brine draw. It gets expelled out during the backwash cycle
 

Highbeam

Minister of Fire
Dec 28, 2006
20,533
Mt. Rainier Foothills, WA
Bad seals where? I had a tech come out and increase the backwash time, essentially making sure no air was left after the recharge cycle. He checked everything and said it appeared fine otherwise. No more air.
Inside the head unit you have a piston and a series of seals that determine what mode the softener is in. The piston moves and will tear up the seals over time. If the tech fixed your issue without replacing your seals then that’s great. The seals will eventually need to be replaced. Take a look at YouTube for some great examples.
 

BigJ273

Minister of Fire
Feb 15, 2015
676
Maryland
Inside the head unit you have a piston and a series of seals that determine what mode the softener is in. The piston moves and will tear up the seals over time. If the tech fixed your issue without replacing your seals then that’s great. The seals will eventually need to be replaced. Take a look at YouTube for some great examples.
I just had the head unit replaced last year. So I’m not sure that’s the issue.
 
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