Is your water salty? Salty softened water is usually caused by incorrect settings, a partial block in your drain line, or a leaking seal. Follow the steps below and we’ll confirm your softener is programmed and cleaned correctly to resolve this issue. Together we’ll get your water back to normal.
Click each step to expand directions.
1. First, you'll need to find the model code printed on the rating decal on your unit (usually under the lid), or in the Specifications chart in your Owner’s Manual:
2. Go ahead and hold the Program/Select button for 5-6 seconds until a model code appears. Confirm it matches your softener's code. If it doesn’t, use the Up and Down arrows to scroll through the codes to find yours.
3. Now push Program/Select to lock your code in.
Step 2 - Clean the Drain Route
1. Next, remove the top cover. Check out our article Removing the Top Cover for detailed instructions if needed.
2. Bypass the water softener by pushing the handle in on the back of your unit. This will stop water from coming in or out of the softener while you work.
If you have a blending valve, make sure it's closed so no hard water is coming through. Refer to What is a Blending Valve for instructions.
3. You'll see the Venturi hanging off the left-hand side of softener head. The venturi is a gray plastic base with a white cone cap (pictured below). We'll need to take that apart.
4. You’ll remove the white cone cap by twisting it counter-clockwise. Take all of the pieces out, until you’re left with the empty gray housing (pictured below at the bottom.)
5. Now you'll clean all those parts you took out with warm, soapy water. Feel free to use a paper clip or similar tool to clear any debris from the center of the HDVC black circular flow plug at the bottom of the base (pictured above).
6. Locate the red or blue plastic disc that you took out. Inside that disc, you'll find a small rubber flow plug. This small part can sometimes swell which leads to less water flow through the system. Because of this, we recommend you replace the Venturi. You can purchase replacement parts here or check out our article What is My Warranty to see if you're still covered.
To help with the water flow right now, you can remove that small rubber flow plug and keep it out. Once your new Venturi comes, remove the old Venturi and replace it with the new one. For now, you can continue on with the steps to keep troubleshooting for the salty taste issue.
7. Reassemble the internal parts, making sure to leave that upper flow plug (from the red or blue disc you removed) out of the Venturi disc.
*Please note: some parts have numbers or letters printed on them – these should face UP when reassembling.
Step 3 - Clear the Drain Hose
1. Now, you'll find the drain hose adaptor located on the backside of the softener head (pictured below.) Go ahead and remove the black rectangular clip that holds the drain hose elbow to the softener head (pictured below.) The clip pulls straight up and out.
2. Pull the entire white plastic elbow out to the right, disconnecting it from the softener’s head. Try wiggling it while you pull it to get it out.
3. Now clean inside your drain elbow port to remove any sediment or salt residue using a towel. Blow air through the elbow that you took off to confirm there are no obstructions in it or the drain hose. Make sure your setup meets the requirements in our Drain Hose Requirements article.
4. Now you can reconnect your drain elbow back to the valve head with the black rectangular clip. Pull your bypass handle back out to put it back into service.
5. Optional next step: Sanitize Your Softener. It can help reduce bacteria build up. Otherwise move on to step 6.
6. We'll run a full recharge to check our work. You’ll hold the Recharge button until you hear the motor starts to turn, then let go. You should hear it turn within about 3-5 seconds.
7. The recharge will take about 2 ½ hours. After the system finishes, check a softened cold water faucet for a salty or odd taste.
- If the salty taste is gone, great work you did it!
- If the salty taste is still there, the Distributor O-ring Kit most likely needs replaced. To see if you're still under warranty, check out What is My Warranty. Otherwise, replacement parts can be purchased here.
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