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My water softener is making noise! Can you help?
Is it the regeneration cycle? It should be making noise at that time.
No, it isn't the regeneration cycle. I know what that sounds like because I manually regen
it from time to time.
If the water softener sounds as if water is flowing through it but you don't see water
flow, the sound could be coming from a hose bib leak. You could confirm that it is not
the water softener by unplugging it and listening for the sound.
The water meter isn't spinning like crazy, though the noises sometimes drive me crazy.
If the water softener isn't in use but you hear the sound of flowing water, you may have
a leak. This is certainly true if the unit is off but the water meter is still moving.
Where could it be leaking? I don't see water on the floor.
There could be a leak in the valve assembly in the top of the tank. In that case, the
water meter won't move as water flows into the tank.
What needs to be replaced in that case?
The rotor disk might need to be replaced, or the valves or the seals. If one of these
is worn, there is a fair chance all of them need to be replaced.
Sometimes the water softener sounds like it is screeching. Is it possessed?
Well, actually, the cause could be the timer motor getting stuck or rubbing against itself
during the regeneration cycle. So it is more like a banshee wail of death.
Is there another possible cause?
The water softener can't soften water until it gets into the softener system. A build
up of calcium or magnesium on the intake valves can make them noisy.
I got a water softener so that I wouldn't have mineral build up like that.
Frustrating, isn't it?
At least I know to call a repair tech, instead of wondering if I'm going crazy.
That's what the bill is for.