Symptoms
- Soap doesn't lather well
- Spots and film on dishes and glasses
- Scale buildup returning on fixtures
- Skin feels dry or filmy after showering
Likely causes
- CommonHardness setting programmed too lowIf the control head isn't set to your actual water hardness, it regenerates before it should be needed, or not often enough.
- CommonResin bed worn out or fouledIron, sediment, or years of use can reduce the resin's ability to exchange minerals.
- CommonNot regenerating due to a salt or valve issueSee the salt-bridge and not-using-salt guides, since either stops the softening process entirely.
- PossibleBypass valve partially openSome hard water can mix in if the bypass isn't fully closed.
What to do
- Confirm the bypass valve is fully in the service (normal) position, not bypass.
- Test your water hardness with a home kit both before and after the softener to see if it's doing anything at all.
- Check and correct the hardness setting on the control head against your actual test result or utility's reported hardness.
- Rule out a salt bridge or empty salt tank (see those guides).
- Run a manual regeneration and retest water hardness afterward.
- If water is still hard after a full regeneration with proper salt, the resin bed may need cleaning with a resin cleaner or, if old, replacement.
Tools and parts
- Water hardness test kit
Resin bed cleanerSearch: “water softener resin cleaner”
When to call a pro
Call a water treatment technician if the resin bed needs replacing or if iron fouling is suspected, since that requires professional-grade cleaning or a resin swap.
Safety
Generally low risk
Generally low risk for a careful person. Stop if anything looks different from what this guide describes.