TSPORT
Member
Hi all. Looking for some guidance on what to do next. I am an avid DIY'er but almost zero water softener knowledge (but eager to learn!).
System/background: Culligan Medalist. new in 2005. We bought the house in 2010. Other than clean out the salt tank a few times and replace a seal on the head once, never an issue and water always felt soft/slippery up until last month. We are on public water.
Water was no longer feeling soft (slippery). Soap not lathering well. I tested it w/ Hach AquaChek Total Hardness test strips. It was in the high range (250-400ppm range on strip). I was thinking maybe salt bridge but tank was recently filled to top so I was reluctant to empty. Tried some resin cleaner and did a manual regen, seemed to get softer for a day then was hard again. We had a power outage for 30 hours and it regen'd again when power came on. I tested w/ strips again, it's in the 25 ppm range but still feels "hard" and soap is not lathering great (but better than before). Went to remove eductor/nozzle to check/clean, did not want to come out and I was afraid I would break it so I left in. The screen around it came off easily. It looked pretty dirty and I cleaned it. I can probe through center of educator/nozzle so I know it is not clogged. Another regen. Still in the 25 ppm range and not felling soft like did before. I emptied and cleaned the salt tank today. No evidence of salt bridge. I only added a couple inches of salt for now. Did not regen yet. Note: On prior regen's I can see the level change in the brine well so I assume it is drawing correctly.
Questions: What should I check next if still not feeling soft after another regen?
Would replacing the resin be a logical next step (it's 13 years old)? This is something I can do myself but will still cost me about $200 for the resin I need (10 x 54 tank).
I realize Culligan parts are proprietary. I'm afraid if I have them come out for a service call it will cost me more than a new system I could install myself with mainstream components (Fleck, etc).
I appreciate any advice/input.
Thanks! - TSPORT
System/background: Culligan Medalist. new in 2005. We bought the house in 2010. Other than clean out the salt tank a few times and replace a seal on the head once, never an issue and water always felt soft/slippery up until last month. We are on public water.
Water was no longer feeling soft (slippery). Soap not lathering well. I tested it w/ Hach AquaChek Total Hardness test strips. It was in the high range (250-400ppm range on strip). I was thinking maybe salt bridge but tank was recently filled to top so I was reluctant to empty. Tried some resin cleaner and did a manual regen, seemed to get softer for a day then was hard again. We had a power outage for 30 hours and it regen'd again when power came on. I tested w/ strips again, it's in the 25 ppm range but still feels "hard" and soap is not lathering great (but better than before). Went to remove eductor/nozzle to check/clean, did not want to come out and I was afraid I would break it so I left in. The screen around it came off easily. It looked pretty dirty and I cleaned it. I can probe through center of educator/nozzle so I know it is not clogged. Another regen. Still in the 25 ppm range and not felling soft like did before. I emptied and cleaned the salt tank today. No evidence of salt bridge. I only added a couple inches of salt for now. Did not regen yet. Note: On prior regen's I can see the level change in the brine well so I assume it is drawing correctly.
Questions: What should I check next if still not feeling soft after another regen?
Would replacing the resin be a logical next step (it's 13 years old)? This is something I can do myself but will still cost me about $200 for the resin I need (10 x 54 tank).
I realize Culligan parts are proprietary. I'm afraid if I have them come out for a service call it will cost me more than a new system I could install myself with mainstream components (Fleck, etc).
I appreciate any advice/input.
Thanks! - TSPORT
