Water Softener Leaking

Users who are viewing this thread

wadetrane

New Member
Messages
3
Reaction score
0
Points
1
Location
California
Hello,

I have a Pure Tel 2001 water softener and have recently discovered that the resin tank started leaking (pictures attached). I have been told that the unit is 10-15 years old, but I just bought this place and would like to fix it if possible.

Could someone give me some tips on how to track down the leak and how to fix it? Also, I'm seeing some white residue and foam along with the leaking water...what is that?

Thanks,
Jeff
 

Attachments

  • IMG_0439.JPG
    IMG_0439.JPG
    67 KB · Views: 2,840
  • IMG_0440.JPG
    IMG_0440.JPG
    68 KB · Views: 3,537
  • IMG_0441.JPG
    IMG_0441.JPG
    84.4 KB · Views: 1,321
  • IMG_0442.JPG
    IMG_0442.JPG
    63.1 KB · Views: 1,249
  • IMG_0444.JPG
    IMG_0444.JPG
    63.2 KB · Views: 1,355

Reach4

Well-Known Member
Messages
38,798
Reaction score
4,412
Points
113
Location
IL
You want to check the back side, where the water line connections are, to see where the leak is coming from.
 

Reach4

Well-Known Member
Messages
38,798
Reaction score
4,412
Points
113
Location
IL
White residue could be magnesium + calcium salts in the water if hard water is leaking, and would be sodium salt if soft water or brine were leaking. Foam? I have no theory about foam. Maybe post a picture of the foam.

What is that unit on the wall to the right of picture 439?
 

wadetrane

New Member
Messages
3
Reaction score
0
Points
1
Location
California
The foam and residue are together at the bottom of picture 440. The unit on 439 is a Rain Dial for the sprinklers. There are also carbon and silica filters on the system. I took a few more pictures of the connection areas...there are a few spots that have dried up water and residue...
 

Attachments

  • IMG_0445.JPG
    IMG_0445.JPG
    76.4 KB · Views: 1,252
  • IMG_0446.JPG
    IMG_0446.JPG
    71.2 KB · Views: 1,258

Reach4

Well-Known Member
Messages
38,798
Reaction score
4,412
Points
113
Location
IL
The area shown in 445 is your drain line which carries water during regeneration. So you don't see active dripping when not regenerating I think. Not much to worry about, but you could try tightening that black nut by hand.

Is the garage floor actually wet? It looks like it, but your pictures don't seem to indicate where that water comes from. That silver covering is not the tank. If you have an active leak, the water might appear at the base of that chrome cover.

446 -- is that your foam? It looks like that may have accumulated over many years. I suggest cleaning that area, maybe with vinegar.
 

DonL

Jack of all trades Master of one
Messages
5,205
Reaction score
72
Points
48
Location
Houston, TX
That is not foam, that is what you get when salt water comes into contact with concrete.

It could be that your head is loose. Or what Reach said.


Good Luck on your project.
 

Akpsdvan

In the Trades
Messages
1,542
Reaction score
15
Points
38
Location
Alaska
In photo 0445 there is a leak showing at the brass nut that is around the worm drive. It is a good time for a valve rebuild as if that o ring is going then there are some other internal parts that could stand to be replaced, 15 years is a good run and now time for some tlc .... nothing wrong there.

Look for Erie 2001 for your rebuild parts.
 

Gary Slusser

That's all folks!
Messages
6,921
Reaction score
22
Points
38
Location
Wherever I park the motorhome.
Website
www.qualitywaterassociates.com
IMO pic 0446 shows where the leak is. It is the top view looking down at the drain line connection elbow. Either the drain line itself or the white elbow fitting is leaking and allowing salt water to run down over the valve onto the floor and out under the garage door. BTW, foam is a collection of bubbles and over time they break and there is no more foam (See what DonL said).

I'm not sure but I think the (R & M) company is no more. BTW, that is a SS tank, not just a cover/jacket on a polyglass tank.

The prefilters.... what a terrible way to install them! To service them will be a nightmare because one, there seems to be no water shutoff valve(s) to isolate them but more so is the fact they are up high and over the softener and an electrical outlet. The big one will be very heavy with water and the cartridge full of 'sediment', and there are no handles on the sump. Ya haven't lived until ya drop one and bust it on the floor and have no way to turn the water on until you get a new one...
 

ditttohead

Water systems designer, R&D
Messages
6,088
Reaction score
455
Points
83
Location
Ontario California
You have an Erie 2000 based control valve. These were bought out by Aquion. From the pictures, the worm drive assembly is leaking. This is common. Your drain connection is also leaking. Simple fix, remove, retape, re-install.

As Gary mentioned, the electrical below the filter needs to be relocated or properly protected. See the picture below for an example. These are wet location electrical outlet covers. There are 4 water proof electrical devices in close proximity to my system.

The Erie 2000 is a fairly simple valve but syncing up the main internal gear is a bit tricky if you have never done it before.

Put the system into a regeneration cycle and see if that creates a noticeable leak. I have all of the old manuals for these valves if you need them.

index.php
 

IsopureWater

Water Filtration Specialist
Messages
12
Reaction score
1
Points
3
Location
Santa Ana, CA
Website
www.isopurewater.com
Hello,

I have a Pure Tel 2001 water softener and have recently discovered that the resin tank started leaking (pictures attached). I have been told that the unit is 10-15 years old, but I just bought this place and would like to fix it if possible.

Could someone give me some tips on how to track down the leak and how to fix it? Also, I'm seeing some white residue and foam along with the leaking water...what is that?

Thanks,
Jeff
Most likely it's a seal issue if it isn't the tank itself. It could be the seal on the bottom of the valve; also it's hard to tell from the pictures but it could a drain fitting leak. Try throwing it in a backwash and seeing if that causing the leak to exacerbate. If it's the drain fitting, just simply either tighten or retape the fitting.

As far as the white foaming residue, it's nothing to be scared of - just a mixture of salt/calcium/magnesium. The water has a high concentration of salt so the foam will most likely be mainly that.
 

CoolTeach

New Member
Messages
1
Reaction score
0
Points
1
Location
Utah
Jeff, I don't have any info for you on your leak problem, but I do have the same softener as you.

We purchased the house with it already installed, but there is no owners manual. Do you have one? If so is there any way you could scan the pages in it and post them?

I want to reset the settings on the softener because it is running in the middle of the day, but I have no idea how to do this.
 

Reach4

Well-Known Member
Messages
38,798
Reaction score
4,412
Points
113
Location
IL
Jeff, I don't have any info for you on your leak problem, but I do have the same softener as you.

We purchased the house with it already installed, but there is no owners manual. Do you have one? If so is there any way you could scan the pages in it and post them?

I want to reset the settings on the softener because it is running in the middle of the day, but I have no idea how to do this.
See if http://www.softenerparts.com/v/vspfiles/assets/images/erie_ecprogramming.pdf helps.
 

John F

New Member
Messages
2
Reaction score
0
Points
1
Location
Utah
You have an Erie 2000 based control valve. These were bought out by Aquion. From the pictures, the worm drive assembly is leaking. This is common. Your drain connection is also leaking. Simple fix, remove, retape, re-install.

As Gary mentioned, the electrical below the filter needs to be relocated or properly protected. See the picture below for an example. These are wet location electrical outlet covers. There are 4 water proof electrical devices in close proximity to my system.

The Erie 2000 is a fairly simple valve but syncing up the main internal gear is a bit tricky if you have never done it before.

Put the system into a regeneration cycle and see if that creates a noticeable leak. I have all of the old manuals for these valves if you need them.

index.php
 

John F

New Member
Messages
2
Reaction score
0
Points
1
Location
Utah
I have a Pure-Tel 2001 and I have a problem and need some advice. My timer will not allow me to enter the reprogramming phase to make any adjustments. When I plug the timer/controller in, the display keeps cycling through all of the setting values but will not get rid of the arrow by the Reg.Cycle button. I've pushed button 3 and 5 simultaneously to manually return to the programming screen, but no luck. I cannot get the display to stop running through the settings display over and over. Any ideas or solutions will be GREATLY appreciated. The company that sold me the unit won't help me and just wants to sell me a new softener. Thanks!
 

Reach4

Well-Known Member
Messages
38,798
Reaction score
4,412
Points
113
Location
IL
I have a Pure-Tel 2001 and I have a problem and need some advice. My timer will not allow me to enter the reprogramming phase to make any adjustments. When I plug the timer/controller in, the display keeps cycling through all of the setting values but will not get rid of the arrow by the Reg.Cycle button. I've pushed button 3 and 5 simultaneously to manually return to the programming screen, but no luck. I cannot get the display to stop running through the settings display over and over. Any ideas or solutions will be GREATLY appreciated. The company that sold me the unit won't help me and just wants to sell me a new softener. Thanks!
Did you try step 4 from page 1 of the manual?

I have never seen one of those controllers.
 
Top
Hey, wait a minute.

This is awkward, but...

It looks like you're using an ad blocker. We get it, but (1) terrylove.com can't live without ads, and (2) ad blockers can cause issues with videos and comments. If you'd like to support the site, please allow ads.

If any particular ad is your REASON for blocking ads, please let us know. We might be able to do something about it. Thanks.
I've Disabled AdBlock    No Thanks