How to tell if my water softener is working?

Question

I just bought a house with an older kenmore softner. I put pellet type salt in (as recommended on unit) but not for sure if it works. I set the timer to regeinate or whatever it's called every night, but the thing constantly makes a ticking kind of noise. Shouldn't it only make noise at night. And should I be able to run water in my house and see water coming or leaving from the unit?

Answer 1

the ticking noise could be the timer running or the main gear is worn out....to see if it is working otherwise go to the unit and do a manual regeneration or backwash, if it draws water out of the salt tank and replaces it then it is possible it is working... once you have started the regenation cyle or backwash cycle if it runs through the cycle most likely every thing is ok......all of these units have a timer clock that determines when it regenerates automatically...you will never be able to see the water going through the unit that goes into your home....

Answer 2

this is your lucky day,, i work for sears, i am a service technician, and the main gear is worn out, , if the unit is over about 10 years old ,it will be cheaper to just replace the unit, it should have a by pass valve on the back side of it, just by pass it until you can get it replaced, ,and as for seeing the water, you cannot, but you can look at the drain line and a little water should be coming out when it is in charge mode, more than likely the screen is stopped up on it to,, there is a little hat shaped fitting underneath the cover on the left side near the back,, take it off and clean out the screen . well anyway,,,hope this helps.

Answer 3

Gear may be worn, but check to make sure the system is not in by-pass. Could be the easiest fix. Just put it back in service.

Answer 4

sounds like the drive gear is wore out, try manually running it thru a cycle, and no when you use water you will not see it going thru the unit,