Waterside water softener model MC250 Dear Sir, Salt level did not go down during regeneration. I poured 2 pints of warm water to break solidified tablet salt, I found moist salt, but very little water in salt tank. I regenerated. I hear water going down the drain. Please could you tell me which pipe brings water in the salt tank, and what level of water should be visible, How is the water replenished in the salt tank? and how that level is maintained. Would you be kind enough to give me a water flow drawing to the salt tank, and from salt tank to the barrel to wash resin, and after washing resin to a drain pipe.

Help here

Why a softener is using too much salt? Often the culprit is that higher than necessary concentrations of brine flow through the resin during regeneration, or the brine flows through for too long of a time period. In these cases, the excess salt just ends up wasted down the drain.

Is My Softener Wasting Salt? ' Water Treatment

Salt is typically used in a dishwasher to regenerate the water softener. The water softener is a device that helps to remove hard water minerals, such as calcium and magnesium, from the water that is used in the dishwasher. When the water is soft, it can more easily remove food particles and stains from dishes, resulting in cleaner dishes. The salt that is used in the dishwasher is typically added to the water softener compartment and is used over time to regenerate the water softener.
If you are observing that the salt in the dishwasher compartment is being flushed away in a single cycle, it could be caused by a few different issues:

1. Overfilling: If the water softener compartment is overfilled with salt, it can cause the salt to be washed away during the wash cycle.
2. Leak: If the water softener compartment is not properly sealed, water can leak out and flush away the salt.
3. Incorrect type of salt: If the wrong type of salt is being used, it may not be compatible with the water softener and can wash away during the wash cycle.
4. Water pressure is too high: High water pressure can cause the salt to be washed away.
5. Clogged filter: If the filter in the water softener compartment is clogged, it can cause the salt to be washed away.

It's important to consult the manual of the dishwasher to understand if this is a common issue or if the problem is specific to your dishwasher. If the problem persists, it is best to consult a professional for repair or maintenance.

Hi Katie,
There are times when it may be necessary to break up the water softener salt in the salt tank. When a "Salt Bridge" occurs moisture has been drawn up into the salt and formed a crust on the water softener salt. When a salt bridge occurs there are two ways to correct it. You can lightly tap away at the salt bridge with a broom handle or stick until it dislodges and all falls down to the proper salt or water level. You can also pour about a gallon of hot water across the salt bridge to break it down. DO NOT poke the stick all the way to the bottom of the salt tank as this can potentially damage some parts of the salt tank. Frequently using some hot water and a stick will easily dislodge the salt bridge. Salt bridging is a common problem with water softeners and is usually caused by using pellet-type water softener salt and/or the water softener not working properly.

Using a better grade of water softener salts like Hardi Cube or Dura Cube salt will alleviate this problem. After fixing a salt bridge always manually regenerate your water softener two days in a row to assure you have soft water again.

Actually it is regenerating if it is filling the salt tank with water. It is just not drawing out the water/brine during the brining cycle. Check the eductor assembly it is most likely plugged with iron or debris. Clean thoroughly and manually cycle unit to brine draw. Usually second cycle, until the water level is back to normal then do a manual regeneration from beginning. Then regen 3 consecutive days.

Hi Joey,

There could be several reasons why your softener is not using salt. If it has a Demand Control the turbine that meters the water may be blocked and stuck so the softener doesn't realize that you are using any water, so it won't try to regenerate.

Your injector may be plugged, although this would cause the salt tank to become more full with each regeneration.

If you initiate a manual regeneration and regeneration does not happen you may need to replace the softener.

Knowing what make, model and age of your softener would help greatly in assessing. The best quality softeners last 15 to 18 years unless you have an Autotrol Turbulator in your softener, in which case add 25% more time; 19 to 23 years. There are a few brands that don't seem to last longer than 10 years...

Steve Scott CWS, CI

If you are referring to the salt tank filling with water, then the problem is the eductor assembly. This is where the brine is drawn from the salt tank. If it is plugged no brine or very little brine will be drawn during regeneration. You will need to clean the eductor assembly and manually regenerate the softener to regain softened water.
What model softener is it? It would help to bail most of the water out of the salt tank. How much depends on the model.
RJH2O

Salt bridging can occur in any water softener "salt tank". A salt bridge occurs when a hard crust of salt develops across the salt tank when the salt wicks up moisture. The salt does not fall down in the salt tank in between regenerations and a "bridge" occurs. It may look like the salt tank is full but there will be a hollow area at the bottom of the salt tank and not enough salt to develop the proper brine for regeneration of softener. This generally happens when the salt tank is a least 1/2 full of salt. If the system has a separate salt tank, shaking the tank will break the bridge usually. Gently poking a stick at the bridge can break it up also but can damage the salt grid if you poke the stick too far down in the salt tank. Certain salts, such as pellet salt are highly prone to this problem. Using Dura Cube, Hardi Cube or Solar salt will greatly reduce the chance of bridging. Any time a salt bridge occurs it will take 3 regenerations of the water softener (in 24 hrs), after fixing it, to regain the reserve capacity and totally soft water.
RJ

Hi grey_spark from retired Englishman in SW France,

I've just spent some time trying to assist you and have come across the Culligan/Waterside web site below :-
http://www.culligancommercial.co.uk/Pages/contact.html

and another site which may be of interest to you!
http://www.reviewcentre.com/reviews121510.html

Good luck, John C

This could be due to several things. The system may not be drawing brine (salty water), there could be a salt bridge (solidification of salt in brine tank),or the resin could be worn out.
Start by checking the salt tank, if it looks like the salt has solidified, use a broomstick or piece of pipe to break up the salt. A rubber mallet can also be used to beat on the sides of the tank, thus breaking up the salt.
As far as the other possibilities are concerned, it would be wise to contact a licensed professional.

I have the same problem... did you find out what was wrong???