Question about Kinetico softener 60

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Mihomeowner

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I have a Kinetcio water softener... "60" I believe is the model.

Was in the house I bought about 3 years ago. Has worked pretty well for the time we have been here, but recently I think it developed a "salt bridge". Our water was getting worse, and the toilet, sinks, shower, etc. started getting a rusty deposit on them. Anyway, I researched and figured it might have been a salt bridge, and it was. But just hitting the side of the brine tank didn't do it. It was a pretty solid mass of salt that was at the bottom of the tank, it required me to take out a bunch of salt and break up the big part with a crowbar.

Anyway, our water is slowly returning to normal, it seems. I manually regenerated a few times to help the process.

It got me thinking that I don't really know much about this system. I read the manual and couldn't figure out the question - I have a "3" on the grey disk at the top of the unit. What does that 3 mean? Also, how many gallons should pass though this to start the next cleansing?

Thanks!
 

Mialynette2003

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The #3 disc is based on the amount of hardness that is in your water. It will start a regen every 400 gallons. The higher the hardness, the higher # disc. I have a manual with the specs and exploded view of the parts. Send me an email and I'll send it to you.
 

Mihomeowner

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Thanks for the reply, sent you a private message.

If the regen starts every 400 gallons, and there seems to be roughly 4 "clicks" in between each one, is each click 100 gallons? The reason I am asking is because I am not sure if the little dot is moving or not. Only been monitoring it a couple days.
 

Mihomeowner

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After a salt bridge, I've had to clean all my toilet tanks out because the hard water was sitting in them leaving sediment everywhere.

But how do I clean the inside of my hot water heater? It's not even possible, is it? I know there is sediment in there because our hot water is discolored (slightly). I've tried to flush the hot water heater twice. It helped just a little bit. It's still definitely dis colored.

Does this mean I need to replace the hot water heater?

Also, will a salt bridge stop the regen cycle from occuring? Or does it still occur, it just doesn't do anything? I was assuming the latter was correct.
 
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Reach4

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After a salt bridge, I've had to clean all my toilet tanks out because the hard water was sitting in them leaving sediment everywhere.

But how do I clean the inside of my hot water heater? It's not even possible, is it? I know there is sediment in there because our hot water is discolored (slightly). I've tried to flush the hot water heater twice. It helped just a little bit. It's still definitely dis colored.

Does this mean I need to replace the hot water heater?
Easy answer, yes...

What color was the sediment?

But that is not what I did. I removed the anode with a 5/8 pneumatic impact wrench (1-1/16 socket). I drained the tank. Sprayed water around inside to wash out what I could. Drained. Filled and let solution of phosphoric acid sit inside. Flush and spray wash again. Maybe a round of Iron Out-- don't remember. Filled and let solution of dish washing soap sit. Flush and spray wash again, and again, and again and again.
Replaced anode with a powered anode. Used teflon tape, and tightened much less than original -- maybe 10 ft-lb.

So how much messing around do you want to do? How much do you value your time for such things?

Also, will a salt bridge stop the regen cycle from occurring? Or does it still occur, it just doesn't do anything? I was assuming the latter was correct.
Regen cycle will occur regardless.
 

Mihomeowner

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Easy answer, yes...

What color was the sediment?

But that is not what I did. I removed the anode with a 5/8 pneumatic impact wrench (1-1/16 socket). I drained the tank. Sprayed water around inside to wash out what I could. Drained. Filled and let solution of phosphoric acid sit inside. Flush and spray wash again. Maybe a round of Iron Out-- don't remember. Filled and let solution of dish washing soap sit. Flush and spray wash again, and again, and again and again.
Replaced anode with a powered anode. Used teflon tape, and tightened much less than original -- maybe 10 ft-lb.

So how much messing around do you want to do? How much do you value your time for such things?

Thanks for reply. The sediment is a brownish/yellowish thing, much like the look of the inside of the toilet tanks.

I used to live in a area with heavy lime so I know about cleaning hot water tanks out and what a pain it can be. I think I will probably just replace this one as it's about 12 years old. Also I don't think the anode rod has ever been replaced. We bought the house two years ago. So I know there is some corrosion going on in there. I think your average home owner doesn't replace the rod or even know what it is.

Thanks again for the response.
 

Reach4

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You may have rust. Iron out can help clean up the toilet tanks.
 

Mihomeowner

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Yeah iron out did the trick on the toilets, but the water heater got replaced. Thanks for your help, appreciate it.
 
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