WATER SOFTENER CLOGGED with SALT?

Has your water softener stopped using salt and softening your water? When you look inside your brine tank, is there a solid mass of salt in there? Is it hard as a rock? Your water softener is clogged! There must be a better way to remove that salt clog and get your water softener working again without bashing it with a chisel and hammer? Relax, there sure is and I’ll show you how starting right now!
Hi I’m Gary the water guy and I simplify water filtration to help you conquer crappy water for your family.
If you’re a DIY homeowner or plumber, this video is for you. You’ll learn how to safely and easily remove that salt clog from your family’s water softener to get it working again and be sure to keep watching to the end where I’ll share some tips for preventing that salt clog in your familys water softener!
With the purer water softener salts most of us are now using for our water softeners I’ve noticed a new problem that occurs fairly often. When that salt gets wet often without being totally used up the salt begins to compress and bind together. Over time the salt forms a solid mass at the bottom of the salt tank which stops water from flowing into or out of the salt tank. The softener stops softening water and stops using salt to make brine. Without brine, the resin bed does not regenerate and you ‘ll have hard water.
Shop HUM Water Softeners here waterestore.ca...
When this happens the salt pellets on top will probably look normal, but dig down a little and you’ll find underneath them is a hardened mass of salt. How do you know if you have this problem? Your water will be hard and you will not be using up any of your salt.
Another way to check is to get a broom, mop or something else with a long handle. Turn it upside down and put it inside the water softener. If the end of the broom goes through the salt right to the bottom you do not have the salt problem, just stir up the salt with the handle and you are done. If, however, the broom only goes into the salt a short way and then stops your water softener brine tank is clogged with salt and needs to be cleaned out!
To fix this problem, start by turning off the water to your water softener. You can turn it off at the incoming faucet or by using the bypass valve. Tap the salt with the handle until you break up what ever salt that you can. Remove the loose salt pellets from the top with a plastic container or pet food scoop. Chink away at the salt crust but be very careful not to puncture a hole in your softener. Stay away from the sides. Break up small chunks and remove them by scooping them up and putting it into a bucket. There will usually be water in with the salt so vacuum the water out of the bottom of the softener with a wet/dry vacuum.
Once you get to a solid block of salt, pour about 2 gallons of hot tap water over the remaining salt mass and about a quart into the brine well (the smaller cylinder inside the salt tank) after removing its cap. Turn the water to your softener back on. Let it sit for about 4 hours.
Follow the instructions in your water softener instruction manual for regenerating your softener. The next day after the softener has regenerated try breaking up the salt again with the stick. Do not add any more salt until this salt clog has been totally removed! You may need to repeat pour the hot water over the salt clog and regenerating several times before the salt clog is removed.
Once the salt clog is gone fill the salt tank 2/3 full of new water softening salt but do not top up the salt again until it is down to the ¼ full level. This will minimize the chances of this happening again in the future. If you're not sure how much salt should be in your brine tank, you can check that out in this video • How Much Salt Should b...
Also, the salt you choose is a major factor in having a salt clog form. This video will help you choose a salt that won’t clog your water softener. • BEST WATER SOFTENER SALT
Click here for your next video on Water Softeners and I’ll see you there! • Water Softener Basics
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[@water_estore]

Getting rid of that dreaded water softener salt clog is easier than you think, if you know how!

[@markrush8071]

Hi will low water pressure be a factor as well of hard salt I had to bypass the filter to get pressure back in house the company talking about the problem in the tank not the salt tank please help

[@rickschiaffo618]

@@markrush8071 Water pressure generally has to do with bladder tank. I had a pressure problem from whole house filter when the 'in head valve' broke.

[@emagowan]

Really appreciate your videos. I'm a DIY type with a background in chemistry and have used ion exchange resins in chemical laboratories. In the past I did some of the things you describe out of 'common sense' re: clogs, salt bridges; had to scoop out and clean my brine tank after a storm blew the lid off. Reassuring to know I was on the right track. Fortunately my installer recommended the pellets on day one. Thanks for taking the time to make these.

[@pliccut]

I just bared down and poked at it with a broomstick and a sturdy stainless steel scoop. The further I got into it, the tougher it got. I finally got to the ‘mushy’ salt and finally the looser mixture. I was able to remove the ‘table’ near the bottom and remove the remaining brine and salt. There was about 6” of mushy salt at the bottom of the well. A few gallons of hot water removed whatever was left. One time through with the regen and the Kinetico system was up and running again. I wouldn’t have gone this far without your clear instructions. I’m going back to Duracube pellets too. I just seem to have better luck with this type. Thanks for making this video!

[@water_estore]

Thanks for watching, please share video with friends and family.

[@BillDaleyPSU]

How long did it take you to break through the salt bridge with the broom handle?

[@pliccut]

@@BillDaleyPSU I mainly used the stainless steel scoop. I used the broomstick in the tight spots where I couldn’t get at it with the scoop along the sides to get it loosened up. It took about a half hour total. It’s been 2 months now and the Duracube pellets are keeping my Kinetico softener “regular”. No more bridging, no more mush. Lesson learned.

[@BillDaleyPSU]

@pliccut thanks

[@floormaestro9581]

Thank you so very much for the professional advice it truly saved a family of 6 living on a super tight budget from yet another homeowner repair bill.🎉

[@water_estore]

Glad it was helpful! Please share video with friends and family.

[@petenicholls718]

I used to do all of that.... I finally got my steel crow bar, yes crow bar.. very carefully to not damage sides of tank nor the bottom plastic insert. I twist it while applying downward pressure. It breaks through the salt bridge. Sometimes I have to twist it through several areas of the bridge. Saves a lot of steps to get back to treated water. I make sure to clean all debre off the crowbar before and after use with a 3m scotch pad. Much less time consuming. But BE CAREFUL while doing it!

[@water_estore]

Yes, verey risky but I'm sure if you are careful it will work.

[@rickschiaffo618]

Thanks Gary! Looks like I got a couple of days of unclogging to do...

[@water_estore]

Yes, but it will be worth it in the end.

[@kbrown5218]

Thank you. Now that I'm a widow and my hubby handled all that, today I called a repairman. I bet this is my problem. Hope not. Yikes I miss my soft water.

[@water_estore]

Hopefully he gets it resolved for you

[@kbrown5218]

@@water_estore he did. And the problem was I needed a new water softener. Mine was 21 years old and he said I set a record. Iron is my problem. The resin bed was corrupted by iron. So I guess I'll invest in a iron tank next.

[@thehoneybadger9262]

All fine and dandy if it's the house you live in. If it's a tenant's house, they want if fixed right way, and you don't want to be going back three times to fix the problem. I just empty the damn thing and put new salt in it. And yes, it is a major pain in the butt. Been there, done that. Oh, and I just had a riser tube basket fail and resin went into the entire house plumbing. That took two days to clear. I just LOVE water softeners.

[@water_estore]

Like everything else there will be maintenance and repairs. But think of the grief you would have without it

[@steveolsted6378]

I'm a retired engineer and hears my handy man solution. First, clean it all out as was described above but, when it comes time to put the salt back in, take the bag and poke a bunch of holes in it. I use a small garden tool with four pointy claw like things. Anyway, poke it full of holes from the top to the very bottom of the bag. Then put the entire bag in the tank. WHY? The reason the salt clogs the intake ports is because when the salt breaks down it gets past the Sive at the bottom of the tank and starts collecting around the intake port. When that first bag gets low pour its remnants into a second previously used bag that has holes too but has an open top. The residue bag also stays in the tank. A few things this does. A) it prevents the intake ports from getting clogged from partially dissolved salt B) if you ever need to get all the salt out of the tank for inspecting it makes it really easy. C) it uses all the salt more efficiently (no waste from cleaning clogs) Note; there is only so much salt that can be dissolved in the water so filling the tank to the top with salt is actually promoting the clog problem. Oh, a 1/2 cup of bleach once in while on regen day can also helpful. My water is perfect since started doing it this way.

[@water_estore]

I've never heard of this approach but it makes sense.

[@annmariezarzecki5787]

Should I unplug the softener while trying to loosen the hardened salt so the system doesn’t go on?

[@water_estore]

You can, but really not necessary and I never have.

[@hellothere8972]

Another great video --- thank you Gary

[@water_estore]

Glad you liked it, please share video with friends and family.

[@AlwaysElvis]

The unit we utilized the manufacturer manual recommends block salt or solar salt...which do you recommend?

[@water_estore]

Between those two, the solar salt is a better choice.

[@KatieRobertson-k3w]

Hi! Thank you so much for all the helpful videos!! Our softener was full and we scooped all the salt out to get rid of the clog at the bottom. Can we re-use the salt from the top of the tank (somewhat dissolved but still separated and in a solid form)? We threw out the sludge at the bottom.

[@water_estore]

Yes, but add it gradually to the new stuff.

[@MustangCoastie]

GREAT info - BUT, you said to REGEN, "press and hold for 5 seconds, and then you'll hear the motor start up, and go through a cycle. Once it starts counting down, push button again for brine cycle." Do you let the regen cycle run in it's entirety?

[@water_estore]

No, as soon as it starts counting down you push it again to fast forward

[@pencesonthemove1221]

I can see a large amount of salt and water in the tank, but the salt and water level has not changed. What is the possible issue? I put the softener into regen mode, but I don’t see anything changing. I changed a couple lines and they don’t appear clogged. Just trying to save some money, and fix it myself

[@water_estore]

Could be a lot of things. Check out this troubleshooting video kzbin.info/www/bejne/mXfcXoBsnpySg9U

[@Tom-Fisherman]

Gary, If I bought a unit that can go nearly two weeks between Regens (an oversized unit) is it possible that with slightly overfilling the brine tank with salt SITTING TOO LONG-- immediately began a salt clog?---Meaning the lack of regens allowed the salt to make muck of itself and SEVERELY retard the effectiveness of the regen, and leaving the capacity to need regens every couple of days--or the water was hard again.

[@water_estore]

Yes, which is one of the many reasons why I don't recommending oversizing your water softener.

[@zillmc]

Thanks Gary - Great videos and I've learned a lot! My water softener seems to be working and not clogged, but what happens is that after my water softener regenerates (once or twice a week), there's a bunch of air in my water pipes. So if I turn on the shower or faucets - it'll spurt some air/water for about 30 seconds until the air comes out. Do you know what might be causing this?

[@water_estore]

Yes, the air check valve at the bottom of the float in the brine well is failing. We have replacement floats here waterestore.ca/products/waterite-water-softener-float-assembly

[@seanh2390]

Hi Gary - great video … thanks for posting it. A question - can a drop in water pressure also be a symptom of a salt clog?

[@water_estore]

No, it means that the water softener is clogging inside the media tank. See this video kzbin.info/www/bejne/qnS0gqufiZKtpcU

[@seanh2390]

@@water_estore thank you for your help

[@phb2787]

Hello. This has been very helpful. I’m removing my clog right now. My question is did you say once done add the salt and the pour 4 gallons on top of the salt or put the water in first ?

[@water_estore]

Doesn’t matter which one goes in first

[@phb2787]

@@water_estore Thank you. It was quite the job removing all the salt that was clogged but got it and back in business thanks to your help.

[@fabianbirarda]

Hey Gary thabks for your videos. I cleaned everything but now I get no watwr in the salt tank. Any thoughts Thanks

[@water_estore]

Even after you put it through a regeneration?

[@johnthelen7042]

Where can I buy a new brine well

[@water_estore]

We have them. Email us at [e-mail] and we can help you.

[@jiwaskow]

My softener was working but water was hard, there was an issue with the brine tank so I installed a new one and ran a regen but the water is still testing at 640 tds (normal is 1000). What could be the issue? Do I need to run regen again?

[@water_estore]

When water is softenerd by a water softener it does not reduce the TDS. See this video kzbin.infoNwSnZBIp-x8 Have your softened water tested for hardness, not TDS, to see if it is softening your water.

[@ChristianZahnow]

I have a 2 year old Water Boss 900. 2 adults in the house. The water hasn't seemed soft at all to me. Had a tech come out. He said the system checks out fine. Since his visit, I am suddenly going through a bag of salt each week!! Still doesn't feel soft to me either.

[@water_estore]

Something is wrong. I would have the water tested before and after the softener. Then make sure the settings are correct for your hardness.

[@ChristianZahnow]

@@water_estore found out the tech left the Power wash on. Went over all the settings with a Water Boss tech. My only issue is the water still does not feel soft to me. It registers soft using their tests, but I don't feel it.

[@shaneflegal3861]

Hi Gary. I'm currently using a clack water softener at home, it is approximately 8yrs old (45K unit) with water hardness at 54gpg and the system set at 75gpg. I'm experiencing periodic hard water at times, probably more often than not. How do I tell if my system/bed is a sanitizing type? I'm currently using Premium solar salt but would like to switch to your recommended type, Windsor Clean & Protect. I suspect that I may have a salt clog do to keeping the salt level too high. I've never cleaned the brined tank. Great channel! Love the informative videos! Thanks Shane

[@water_estore]

The only way of knowing what media is inside the brine tank is by contacting the manufacturer

[@K-Rex589]

Great video, Gary. I have a Krystal Pure water softener, and the screen says "maintenance, call for check-up." Would this likely be displayed for a clog?

[@water_estore]

No, but not really sure why you are getting that, likely just for some "routine maintenance". I would contact them.

[@K-Rex589]

@GarytheWaterGuy thanks for the response. Looking in the user manual, there is no mention of that remark in there. I noticed the screen also displays a lock symbol, so it probably is some scheduled maintenance. I will reply back here once I do get it figured out in order to help others out.

[@water_estore]

Likely just programmed in for "Regular Maintenance" that you probably don't need.

[@neftali764able]

Hi Gary, Why is my water softener drawing water into the brine tank during the brine cycle? (The one that is about 60 mins. Long) Since I am trying to correct a water low pressure issue, yesterday I checked and cleaned all the valves, connectors etc. and cleaned out the brine tank and float system. After I put everything together again, yesterday afternoon I ran two manual regen cycles, one last night and another one early in the morning. The water level ended up normal after each one. But today after I did a manual regen the water in the brine tank went up too high that it overflowed. Any tips?

[@water_estore]

If the drain line was clogged you would get that situation.

[@davedresser4602]

While adding the hot tap water to loosen and dissolve the salt clog, should the system be on bypass till salt clog completely gone?

[@water_estore]

No, you leave it in service.

[@JDDe65]

Our water softener has been turned off for over a year, since we moved into this house. I only just realized it. Now the tank is half full of solid salt. How do I get it out? It's not just a bridge.

[@water_estore]

Follow the advice in this video, it is meant for exactly that concern, this video is not for dealing with a salt bridge. It won't be easy but with time effort and water you can get that clogged removed.

[@nunosapunso6239]

Can a salt grid help stop clogs?

[@water_estore]

No, but they sure make getting rid of the clog more difficult

[@OLB45a]

My tank was making a loud noise should I be concerned? Had codes c4 5 and c1

[@water_estore]

At what point does it make these loud noises?

[@robingeorgetowntx]

Maybe it’s going thru the “regen cycle”? My softener is loud during regen

[@water_estore]

Yes, exactly

[@boicutt]

Hi Gary! Ive noticed everytime my softener regens, water in the home is extremely yellow. If we run the water for a while it eases out and stays much clearer until the next regen where it is yellow again. Unfortunately it remains yellow in the brine tank. What could be the cause?

[@water_estore]

Oxidized iron. You either need to regenerate it more often or get an iron filter.

[@Einlanzir]

Hi Gary. Firstly thank you for making these informative videos. My question is, since I busted up the hardened layer of salt that was present at the base of my brine tank, I cannot quite see what the slits of the bottom of the brine well. I don't want to get a vac to suck out the water I poured in to loosen the salt bridge. Does it hurt anything to do a regen with all the briny water in there?

[@Einlanzir]

Also, can I add the salt that I scooped out back into the brine tank?

[@water_estore]

No it does not hurt.

[@water_estore]

Yes, but I would use new salt at first and then add the old stuff gradually to use it up

[@Einlanzir]

@@water_estore thank you!

[@lauralogan645]

My standby light is flashing after having an error code 1001 and regeneration, backwash and fill

[@water_estore]

I am not usre what you mean by a stand by light. What make is your water softener?

[@anagongs6353]

Hi- do we unplug the salt tank?

[@water_estore]

No need

[@NOYBidness]

Hello, my softener softens the water for the first 600 gallons after a regen but when I have 700 gallons remaining the water suddenly turns hard. Could this be because I don’t have it set high enough on the grains?

[@water_estore]

definitely either a problem with the settings or the media is worn out.

[@NOYBidness]

@@water_estore thanks for the reply Gary. I doubt it’s the media because the unit was just installed 10 months ago. I cranked up the grains and I’ll see it or help. Thanks!!

[@frankcurley-l3k]

I have a noise in house at night mumming I am beginning to think it is the spring soft water softener used for thermal heating system

[@water_estore]

It could be your water softener regenerating kzbin.info/www/bejne/n2rTempsmdBnkNU

[@water_estore]

Never heard of this but hopefully it will work for you.

[@mohdafzal3306]

Our whole water line about 200 pipes are blocked by hard water coming from a natural source. Sir please give solution

[@water_estore]

a water softener like this waterestore.com/products/hum-deluxe-water-softener-30-000-grain

[@pamelaosborn3214]

My Softener does not have hard salt. However it has not used salt in a couple of months. I took most of the salt out and sucked the water out. I checked to make sure that the slits in the bottom was not clogged. Now what

[@water_estore]

I suggest you follow my troubleshooting video here kzbin.infoLr3jyGiJdC0

[@alexengstrom4503]

I emptied my salt tank completely of water and salt. Filled with the hot water and let sit for about 3 hours. Did a regen and nothing seems to have changed. Was that not long enough or did I miss something?

[@alexengstrom4503]

Did the same process and observed water being drawn out and then refilling but still feels like water is hard. Guess I’ll see if the salt level goes down or stays same for a while.

[@water_estore]

You will need to do this several times. Each time you do it the new water is absorbing some of that salt and eventually it will remove the clog.

[@HildaPerez-f1r]

I’m having low water pressure issues and it’s not on the city side. City checked that already, we haven’t used it in about two years when my wife added a bag in it. Seems like ever since our water pressure is low. Any suggestions.

[@water_estore]

Did you try to test it as shown in the video?

[@MrFlynn-bt6mt]

Appreciate you.

[@water_estore]

Thank you! Please share video with friends and family.