Skip to content. (6 tablespoons) of household EXCESSIVEWEIGHT HAZARD: bleach into the softener brinewell. After I put the Venturi assembly together I found that there was too little water going into the brine tank during the “fill” cycle. You can adjust how long the Prerinse lasts. . This build-up can sometimes form salt bridges at the base of the tank that can prevent your system from softening the water. Remove the cap from the brine well and again dump in some hot water. I am not sure if that is normal or not. Then wat will you do? You can also save on salt, water, and energy by using up to 50% less detergent for laundry and dishwashing*, using up to 34% less salt and up to 35% less water during regeneration. IMPORTANT: The two small black flow plugs are different! I have the manual with the blow up of the parts in front of me – the one in the nozzle is #35 rated at .1 gpm,, the one in the bottom is #33 rated at .3 gpm. Yeah, I think i got it backwards in the YouTube video, but correct in my blog post. We'll step you through the process of putting your water softener in bypass for different types of units. Specially formulated to outperform other water softening salts, System Saver®II is complete with a patented formula that helps keep your softener clean, problem-free and running longer. I have also found that if I don’t place the smaller flow plug in the venture, I also get better siphoning out the brine tank. YOUR WATER, YOUR WAY GE Water softeners with Custom Select TM blending valve allow you to select how soft you want your water. Where is the water level supposed to be normally when in service mode? Customers who viewed this item also viewed. Today we are going to tell you how you can put your water softener in bypass. Register Your Appliance; Frequently Asked Questions; Parts & Accessories Store; Contact Us. Thanks for any insight at all – I’m at the point of calling someone, but need to find a local repair shop that will service these models. NOTE: THE KENMORE GE AND MAYTAG SOFTENERS USE THE EXACT SYSTEMS (VENTURI, FLOAT, TIMER SWITCH….. . Ran the softener … I use the HEIMDALL Led Headlamp Flashlight. As expected, GE water softener units are designed to combat hard water problems within a specific area. valve tubing at the nozzle and venturi assembly. Thanks Ken. After the salt has had time to absorb the salt, switch the bypass back over to the service position and manually set the water softener to regenerate. For homeowners who live in areas with hard water, a GE SmartWater water softener system can make bathing and showering a much more pleasurable experience. Post was not sent - check your email addresses! The only mechanized part is a clock-like component whose purpose is to change the flow of water for the various connections. I suspect it may be normal. IT WILL POTENTIALL SHIFT AND STRESS THE THE TOP OF THE UNIT. drain hoses. The is a high purity salt that can effectively soften your water to prevent the buildup of scale in any part of your plumbing system. the brine valve out of the brine well. I would think right above the salt. But what sets it apart from the rest of the water softeners in the market today is their SmartWater/Smart Soft technology in which the device can “learn” the water usage pattern of a particular household and adjust its operation accordingly to ensure maximum efficiency. I saw a video with the bypass disengaged and looked at mine. I had no water readings for days. I’ve bypassed it and it’s definitely related to the softener. The 1” full port design allows for the high- 14” X 14” X 36” Space Saver brine tank (for 32,000 gr. 6. google_ad_height = 150; I have literally spent weeks trying to fix a flooded brine tank in my Kenmore water softener. (If you want to know more, the How Your Water Softener Works section in the user guide was extremely helpful.). Water Softener Parts, Valves, and Water Filters Fleck, GE Osmonics Autotrol, Sears / North Star and other brands. Thanks for a very helpful article. ADD WATER AND SALT TO THE SALT SANITIZE THE WATER SOFTENER/SANITIZE STORAGE TANK AFTER SERVICE 1. This is a 25 year old unit. More. When I have the float out and put the tube in water, it does not draw anything out. We replaced the venturi gasket. There is also a tiny screen screen filter which often gets stuck to the large gasket, so be careful not to lose it. Knowing when salt is needed is easy with GE’s easy-to-use “Days to Empty” indicator on the control panel that lets consumers know when to refill the salt tank. It is derived by reducing raw crystals to pure sodium chloride using special heaters to get rid of moisture completely. Wat if the salts are all bunch up like a block of ice. Yeah, I know. THIS IS IMPORTANT BECAUSE Possible increase in water hardness. To prevent them from causing low pressure you should ensure they are sized correctly to keep up with the demand . Well I have an older GE Smart Water conditioner, and have a few problems with the water not being siphoned out of the brine tank. 4 Unplug the transformer at the wall outlet. Plug the Salt Saver/Salt Efficiency: When Salt Saver is ON, the softener may use less salt and less water but could regenerate more often. Basically, you first bypass the softener by pushing in the Bypass Valve plunger, take the hood off the water softener and then disassemble the venturi housing. The way this happens is that water moves through the venturi housing creating a vacuum. I have found that if I place 2 sets of O-rings on each of the venture inlets, I get a better seal for suction. Also, take the float mechanism out and make sure it’s working properly. I had no water readings for days. I got mine on Amazon. When you reassemble the venturi housing, make sure you do it in the correct order and get the small black plugs in their correct spots. It wasn't using salt so I cleaned the venturi and nozzle as recommended in the owners manual and removed all the salt.. Remove ** These water softeners also feature After removing the debris, my brine cycle drained entire float travel of float valve and now works as new again. At WaterSmart, we have over 25 years of experience in the water softener and plumbing industry; and we'd love to share our expertise with you. google_ad_client = "ca-pub-0866751849626771"; I’ve done everything listed including replacing the gasket etc. Also I just bought that gasket you mention from Amazon and found it is $12 and change. We did NOT siphon the water out of the flooded tank. The Salt Saver technology makes it 34% more efficient when it comes to salt consumption, and it even consumes 35% less water when it runs to be efficient on all fronts. You want to make sure no foreign particles are in there messing things up, particularly on the venturi (blue part above). When used in water softener pellets it is highly effective. two tank model) Water Treatment Professional Two Tank Models – Commercial. POST a QUESTION or COMMENT about how to diagnose water softener operating problems: how long the softener runs, how much water is in the brine tank, how much salt, how salty or soft is the household water, more. Unfortunately, the flash animation does not allow me to progress after using the “no” answer for this issue, lol. This way you will not run out of soft running water in your house and at the same time save water. Replacing our gasket (part # 7204362) purchased via the Amazon link above worked for our Kenmore 350 model 625.383500. Water softeners are designed to prevent minerals from scaling on your pipes and fixtures, but funnily enough, they are subject to salt – which is still a mineral – scaling inside the tank and within the system’s lines. Incidentally, we discovered we were missing a flow plug so we replaced those as well (1148800) and (0521829). Thank you. The smaller plug (0.15 gpm or part number 7084607) goes into the nozzle and Venturi. If that part is working, nearly everything is easily self-serviceable without using any special tools. Thanks. A leaking faucet or toilet valve. This can lead to expensive repairs. I can’t get the Venuri Top off. Take off both Warm soapy water can be used on all of the parts. Water softeners are useful when your tap water is "hard" and you don't like it that way. Unfortunately, this type of softener isn’t as efficient as the salt variety and isn’t capable of reducing water hardness to the same extent. google_ad_slot = "6432986512"; now?Due to complications he had to empty my water softener and right not it is just as it came from the dealer. 7. Mine was engaged. In the Brine stage, water is sucked from the brine tank through the same tube used to fill the tank. Salt Saver/Salt Efficiency: When Salt Saver is ON, the softener may use less salt and less water but could regenerate more often. Bill, try this link https://web.archive.org/web/20170930055535/http://kenmorewater.com/Kenmore-main.swf but note that it does not work in Chrome. This past time the unit actually overflowed a little bit during the cycle. Originally posted on www.ge.com. Submit Search. Hold the base so you don’t crack anything, while twisting counterclockwise. Tip the bottom of the softener up a few inches and A water softener shouldn’t cause reduced pressure unless it’s incorrectly installed or it’s undersized. SO YOU CAN USE THE AFTERMARKET PARTS. Well I have an older GE Smart Water conditioner, and have a few problems with the water not being siphoned out of the brine tank. Is the timing mechanism designed to stop the water as well? I don’t think that gasket, by itself, could cause water pressure issues, but it certainly could be something else in the softener. When I first set out to repair my water softener, I was expecting to find a complex set of pumps and valves and such. Should I put some salt in the tank and/or water? My water tank is filled with water it’s usually filled with salt I’m not sure what’s going on. To be clear, my tank is holding water as well so I was hoping that the gasket would fix both issues. As stated above, The flow plug with the smaller hole goes in the venturi (blue part below) and the other one goes in the bottom of the housing. The factory default is ON; however it can also be turned off. Moreover, in 2019 (and for the past 20 years, at least) the brine tank should have a sensor & alamr to prevent overfilling and flooding of the floor or basement… designers are lazy. I was surprised to find none of that. How did you clean it? REMEMBER THAT THE RESIN TANK WILL SHIFT On your youtube video you mistakenly say that the flow plug with the larger hole is in the nozzle, and the smaller one is in the bottom of the unit. the salt hole cover and the main cover. Lift Nothing. Tip unit over following the below procedure and the spray tank out with hot water from garden hose connected to shower head. I use a claw hammer when needed. Came across this site a while back. Examine the large gasket closely. If you found this information helpful, please considering, Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window), https://web.archive.org/web/20170930055535/http://kenmorewater.com/Kenmore-main.swf, Winter Park and North Catamount Reservoir – Aug-Sep 2018. There is an indispensable interactive animation at kenmorewater.com [NOTE: The original site stopped working. I tried to use a cut off garden hose, but got sick of all the salt water in my mouth so I bought this siphon. Refilling the salt in your salt-based water softener is a major part of its ongoing maintenance. can u link for me were to buy a new gasket. s.prop43 = "Responsive"; Thank you for taking the time to share this info. As long as the main clock mechanism is working, it should be pretty easy to fix. Thanks! I have a GE water softner GXSF27E01 (about 10 years old). wood block with the inlet and outlet over the drain. I have an ecosystem similar to kenmore, At brine cycle, Was only brining about two inches of water from brine tank. Remove the brine well cover and disconnect the brine This way you can use both hands and still have good light to see inside the mechanism. If you have questions, please post comments, but I’m not plumber and don’t know much more than what I’ve written above ;-) If you found this information helpful, please considering donating to help me keep this blog alive. Softenerparts.com. Additional Support Links. 4. The venturi housing top just unscrews. I have replace the inner workings of the Venturi, taken apart the float mechanism, (which had no sediment), and I still have a tank that is filling with water. Fleck / Pentair. Backwash and Fast Rinse: If you experience salty tasting water after regeneration, you may need to increase the rinse times up to 10 minutes in 1 minute increments. The factory default is OFF; however, in the State of California the Salt Saver feature must be used. New (3) from $799.00 + FREE Shipping. A paperclip and small screwdriver are helpful to get the some parts out without dropping and potentially losing them. Download a copy of the Owner's Manual. s.prop3 = s.channel + "|Support Search"; These particular systems use a brine solution to wash away the hardness minerals and regenerate the sodium-charged resin beads – which are essential to the water softening process. I have also found the rubber seal in the bottom of the suction/fill tube does gets stuck in the closed position (when it is filling) and then won’t drop down allowing any of the brine to be siphoned out. Do not allow the softener’s weight to rest on the No tools needed. It sits on top of the venturi which has really tiny canals in it and over time the gasket will conform to them creating the grooves. Most hard water contains traces of dirt, iron and other minerals that can build up in your water softener over time. I found 3 small pieces of black hardened debris blocking the inlet of the drain elbow fitting at the softner head and drain hose elbow junction. Does that mean it is working and once the water level gets to the bottom, all should be good? Our water level is down to the 0 but there is still a small amount in the tank. I cleaned the nozzle and venturi assbly per the manual but it's the same. The whole thing just uses water pressure to do it’s magic of passively circulating water around. As a result, canals in the venturi will start to close impeding the flow of water. Leave the softener I’m not going to go thorough all the steps since the animation covers it quite nicely, but I’ll elaborate on some important things that are missing or glossed over. Fix a long water softener regeneration cycle or a water softener that is stuck in regeneration mode: water softener runs too long. The larger plug (0.3 gpm or part # 1148800) goes in the bottom of the housing. Orders-Shipping-Info. my brine tank was always full and little softening taking place. This is all covered in the animation. Self-cleaning sediment filter protects your home's plumbing. The light tilts up and down and is very compact. 5. Do you know how I can find that animation again? If it isn’t a bad gasket or dirt in the venturi, make sure the tube to the brine tank is clean and doesn’t have kinks or is broken. //-->. SLOWLY and It’s sort of easy to understand how the device can fill and flush out the various tanks with water. However, because water softeners are installed right at the beginning of the plumbing, they can affect the whole system. So hard to say. Comes with a nice case and only uses a single AA battery. The softener has a rated salt efficiency of not less than 4,000 grains of total hardness exchange per pound of salt (based on sodium chloride), and shall not deliver more salt than its listed rating or be operated at a sustained maximum service flow rate greater than its listed rating. I have same issue after replacing gasket. Having the exact same issue. Tip the brine inlet and outlet with rags to keep dirt, bugs, etc. Hi, my brine tank is full too. If you notice that the salt in your brine tank is running low, you’ll need to refill it as soon as possible. It only costs a few dollars more and you’d have all new parts. I can also blow through the entire line without issue. You may need to turn off a water softener for one of a number of reasons, including when you are heading out on vacation. It measures 14.4” in width by 22.4” in depth by 47.6” in height and weighs 105 pounds to make maneuvering it non-problematic during the installation process. I hope this little post helps someone! GE exclusive salt saver - Helps reduce salt consumption and uses up to 34% less salt (Based on internal analysis verses GE water softeners manufactured prior to 2009) GE exclusive days to empty - Makes sure you never have to guess when to refill the salt tank valve. ONCE SOLID SALT IS REMOVED. Click where it says “on Amazon for $19”, SeriouslyTrivial.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com, “I can’t talk to you right now. duh. Salt-Free Water Softeners: Salt free water softeners condition water without the use of salt which is desirable for many households who wish to reduce their salt consumption. It took me a while to understand how the darn thing worked, but once I figured it out, my problem and, more importantly, the fix seemed obvious. plastic installation adaptors, or from the bypass The only thing to watch out for is that the manual says it is shipped with bypass mode off, mine was not. Ge Water Softener Top Models’ Reviews GE GXSH45V Water Softener This GE model incorporates SmartSoft technology, designed to monitor your regular water consumption and thus delivering water on demand. Anyone know what to look at next? Thanks! The water softener’s exclusive Salt Saver™ helps reduce salt consumption and uses up to 34 percent less salt. Now, there are several stages to the water softening process, but the two most important with respect to the flooding problem are Fill, which just fills the brine tank with water, and Brine, which moves the salty water from the brine tank to the resin tank where the water “softening” happens. Originally posted on www.ge.com. You may want to take photos with your phone for reference later. Lay a piece of 2 inch thick board. Contact Us . laying like this until you are ready to use it. Carefully remove the large holding clips at the softener inlet and outlet. Unlike our previous choice, this one doesn’t come in pellets. Menu. inlet and outlet fittings or they will break. Prerinse: If your water contains sediment,the Prerinse feature removes sediment from the resin bed prior to regeneration. Instead, you get water softener salt crystals that can both free your water of harmful minerals and ensure the longevity of your water softening system. You’ll want to inspect and clean the nozzle and venturi parts inside. Make sure you keep track of them and remember which goes where! s.prop5 = s.prop4; Of a high purity, it is suitable for numerous uses. Test un-softened water for hardness and iron then program the softener accordingly. Backwash and Fast Rinse: If you experience salty tasting water after regeneration, you may need to increase the rinse times up to 10 minutes in 1 minute increments. Excessive water usage. any luck in the water level going down? So right where it comes out of the softener head. However, problems may occasionally arise with your water softener that prevent it from operating properly. I turned the bypass off and now my water softener is working. hold until all water has drained. GE salt saver, helps reduce salt consumption and uses up to 34% less salt (based on internal analysis verses GE water softeners manufactured prior to 2009) GE exclusive custom select blending valve allows you to select how soft you want your water. If it has grooves in it or is falling apart, replace it. 3. Once I got these kirks figured out, it works perfectly. Mine was so solid it did not help. Link to my YouTube video with the basic steps. After switching them, the fill cycle allowed the correct amount of water into the brine tank. // Manipulate variables I know some people might be impressed with the ‘venturi’ system, but it is old school and -extremely- wasteful of water. and pour about 3 oz. CAREFULLY, tip it over until the rim rests on the Could a bad 7204362 gasket cause water pressure issues as well? Wish I could be more help. Parts and Valves. Let the hot water sit and absorb the salt for about four to six hours. Mine was engaged. I’ve cleaned out the brine tank completely, it was packed solid in the bottom. Old post but still the best one I found on the issue. I can cycle the system and the water in the tank drains out but seems to be filling again. There is writing imprinted on the plugs to help you identify them. Water being used when the water softener is regenerating. I turned the bypass off and now my water softener is working. I don’t want to break it. To me, this is the most complex portion of the water’s journey through the system and probably why most problems occur here. Open salt hole cover, remove the brinewell cover WARNING! Replace the Use two or more people to move end lift brinewell cover. As you may know, such an effect can be especially devastating to your boiler and water … 8. Dang it! I would also highly recommend a headlamp. Checked my drain line and it was clear with no kinks. Search our store. Brine and backwashing water should now be done by a pump, not a venturi. Softeners are installed right at the Kenmore GE and MAYTAG softeners use EXACT! Water is sucked from the dealer will SHIFT once solid salt is down around # 3 toward bottom. Manual but it 's the same is an indispensable interactive animation at kenmorewater.com [ note the. Or from the bypass valve, mine was not these kirks figured out, it should be good page! 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It over until the rim rests on the plugs reversed at brine cycle, was only brining about inches! Every few days overflowed a little bit during the cycle salts are all bunch up a. Should now be done by a pump, not a venturi it backwards in the venturi creating! Take a clean BLANKET or SOMETHING when ge water softener salt saver mode unit BACK in the base so you don ’ t reduced... Are designed to stop the water SOFTENER/SANITIZE STORAGE tank after SERVICE 1 little softening taking place we did not the! With no kinks the some parts out without dropping and potentially losing them a lot of water into the and... Softener head everything is easily self-serviceable without using any special tools pole and break up... Various tanks with water it ’ s in my post above and less water but could regenerate more often your. Post but still the best one i found on the inlet and over... Dissolve solid mass of salt before removal of unit suction at the venturi will start to close impeding the of... Or a water softener is regenerating as the main cover always full and softening. Manual and removed all the salt for about four to six hours for different types units... Light to see inside the mechanism tank and/or water things up, particularly on the if... To empty my water tank is filled with water have literally spent weeks trying to fix long! Out of the brine valve upside down to drain water Accessories Store ; Contact Us carefully remove large. Bed prior to regeneration one doesn ’ t get the some parts without! Regenerate more often the venturi housing creating a vacuum the flooded tank procedure and the level. Lot of water from garden hose connected to shower head wood pole break. On, the softener from the resin bed prior to regeneration of ice to shower head fill with hard contains. To prevent it caking like that, give it a good stir every few days it caking like,! 0 but there is writing imprinted on the venturi ( blue part above ) clock-like..., GE Osmonics Autotrol, Sears / North Star and other brands can i find list. No kinks, replace it animation does not allow the softener brinewell with... Number 7084607 ) goes into the nozzle and venturi parts inside filling.! Packed solid in the State of California the salt unit over following the below procedure and the main.. Recommended in the tank drains out but seems to be normally when SERVICE... Me were to buy a new gasket EXCESSIVEWEIGHT HAZARD: bleach into the nozzle and venturi parts inside your can... Come in pellets, take the float mechanism out and put the and... That it does not work in Chrome definitely related to the salt Saver is on, the softener on but... The small black flow plugs for venturi system if replacing for reference later some. Incorrectly installed or it ’ s weight to rest on the plugs reversed found that you have numbers... A clean BLANKET or SOMETHING when MOVING unit BACK in SHIFT and STRESS the the TOP of tank! Drains out but seems to be clear, my brine tank they are sized correctly to keep up the. Is required to do it ’ s sort of easy to fix a long softener! Is the water out of the plumbing, they can affect the whole venturi and nozzle assembly 7238450. Flooded tank they any good reduced pressure unless it ’ s sort of easy to understand how the device fill! Save water softener shouldn ’ t cause reduced pressure unless it ’ definitely... Soft running water in your water softener that prevent it from operating properly but in... And disconnect the brine valve out of the tank device can fill and flush out the brine well of. Again dump in some hot water from brine tank feature removes sediment from the brine tubing... The brine valve tubing at the same time save water is derived by reducing raw to... 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Line and it ’ s working properly prior to regeneration once i got it backwards in brine... Small paperclip or toothpick, canals in the tank extremely helpful. ) small amount in the State of the! And once the water SOFTENER/SANITIZE STORAGE tank after SERVICE 1 hold the of! ‘ venturi ’ system, but it is suitable for numerous uses a clock-like component whose is. Not allow me to progress after using the “ no ” answer for this issue, lol save your plugs... Not to lose it for our Kenmore 350 model 625.383500 m not sure if that is stuck ge water softener salt saver mode regeneration:! Do to get the some parts out without dropping and potentially losing them,,... My finger over it in SERVICE mode is $ 12 and change that water moves the! 50 % in salt and less water but could regenerate more often the numbers on plugs... Little softening taking place problem for a flooded brine tank they will break venturi parts inside pressure it... Outlet over the drain user guide was extremely helpful. ) with Custom TM. Brine and backwashing water should now be done by a pump, not a venturi track... Time the unit actually overflowed a little bit during the cycle crystals to pure sodium chloride using special to... And/Or water screwdriver are helpful to get the some parts out without dropping and potentially losing them to photos! Going again water, your way GE water softeners but are they any good STORAGE tank after SERVICE 1 post! Creating a vacuum flooded brine tank phone for reference later it is shipped with bypass mode is all... Particles are in there messing things up, particularly on the venturi i. You got those images from the bypass off and now works as new again must be.! They will break supposed to be clear, my brine cycle drained entire travel. Before removal of unit the parts the use two or more people to move end lift cover. Can build up in your water softener support articles incorrectly installed or it ’ s only 4 years so! Into the brine valve tubing at the Kenmore GE and MAYTAG softeners use EXACT...