Have you ever heard a humming or squealing sound coming from your water softener and wondered what it was?
It might be that the unit is just doing its job, but there are many other reasons for this type of noise to come from your system.
A normal sound that a water softener makes is a humming noise. This usually indicates that the unit is working properly. If you hear this noise, it is nothing to worry about; however, a squealing or hammering sound could indicate that something is wrong.
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What may cause a water softener to make a loud noise?
There are a few reasons why your water softener may be making loud noises. Some of the most common reasons are given below.
- The resin bed inside the softener is full and needs to be replaced.
- The salt in the tank has not been replenished in a while and will need to be topped off.
- There is too much water pressure on the system and it is causing the valves to bang closed.
- The float valve is stuck and not stopping the water flow when it is supposed to.
- The inlet/outlet pipes are loose and banging against something else in the cabinet.
- There is a build-up of minerals or lime on the inside of the softener and it is blocking the water flow.
- The water pressure is low, which could be caused by a broken pipe or a kink in a line somewhere.
- The bearings on the motor are going out and causing it to make noise when it turns.
- The brine overflow tray needs to be emptied because the salt there is causing it to overflow.
Of course, this is not an exhaustive list of every cause for a water softener making noise, but it is halfway there. If your water softener is making strange noises, it is best to troubleshoot the problem before it gets worse.
How to troubleshoot a water softener that is making noise?
If your water softener is making strange noises, it is best to consult your owner’s manual or call a professional to help you troubleshoot the issue.
In the meantime, here are some general tips that might help.
- Make sure the salt in the tank is at the correct level.
- Check to see if any of the hoses or pipes are loose and need to be tightened.
- Make sure the inlet/outlet valves are in the open position.
- Try cleaning out the resin bed with a soft brush.
- If there is a build-up of minerals or lime on the inside of the softener, try draining the brine tank and cleaning it out.
- If you hear the softener making a hammering noise, this could mean that there is not enough water pressure to fill up the hoses completely. So make sure the pipes are properly connected and that you have good water pressure coming into your house.
Tips for preventing future problems with your water softener
Follow the below-mentioned tips to help prevent any problems with your water softener in the future.
- Periodically check the softener to ensure everything is in good working order.
- Don’t be afraid to call a professional if you are not sure what is wrong with your softener or how to fix it. There is no need to try and diagnose an issue yourself when you can have someone who knows what they are doing take a look for you.
- Keep an eye on the salt level in the tank and refill it as needed.
- Make sure no kinks or breaks exist in any of the water lines coming into your house.
- If you have low water pressure, try to troubleshoot the issue yourself or call a professional to help you identify the source.
- Regularly clean out the resin bed and brine tank to help prevent any build-up from occurring.
Conclusion
In summary, the most common reasons a water softener will make noise is because it needs to be refilled with salt or because there is a buildup of minerals inside. In rarer cases, the motor or float valve could need repairs as well. If your water softener makes noises that seem out of the ordinary, it is best to consult your owner’s manual or call a professional for help. In the meantime, you can take some steps to troubleshoot the problem yourself as well.