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  • Answered by:Plumbing Pro
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Customer Question

I have a rainsoft water softener model # XXXXX that is over 10 years old. When the system regenerates it fills the brine tank with water and doesn't draw it back down.


Sometimes the timer will stick in a mode as well?


I am a mechanical engineer and can do the repairs as needed. Having a difficult time in locating parts and support for this system as a DIY'er.


Home is for sale and we don't want to replace system.


Please advise parts source if possible.


 


Thank you,


Bruce

 

Optional Information:
Brand: Rainsoft
Type of Appliance: Other

Submitted: 339 days and 2 hours ago.
Category: Plumbing
Value: $30
Status: CLOSED
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Expert:  Plumbing Pro replied 338 days and 23 hours ago.


Plumbing Pro : Welcome to Just Answer, I will do my best to Answer your question to the best of my professional ability.You can respond by typing in the box.  I do understand that you are a mechanical  engineer , and can most likely out fix things I'm not capable , but all considerations are needed to draw a conclusion. Water softerners these days do not last as long as the ones made 20 years ago as things are not built as well . Water softners only have a life span of 10-15 years and even less depending on water quality . Now since you are cableable of doing the labor and fixing it your self you have to ask your self the pros and cons . Yes you could most likely fix the unit , but you will have to replace the control board and timer . Then the reason it's filling with water is A the float is stuck and not telling the system to shut off . Or B on of the solenoid   valves are stuck or not closing all the way . Based on how cheap you can get all the parts, is it really worth fixing something that is towards the end of its usfull life span as only the parts you replace will be new . often it's better to just buy a replacement unit and replace it in another 10 years or go with a commercial grade leased or sold from a company that will maintain the equipment  over the term of the contract . To find one of those company's you need to search in your local yellow pages for a water treatment company.  One thing you can try is to add iron out and start using it regularly as directed on the instructions and do a manual by pass to see if it will free or in stick any frozen parts. Also you can take the brine tank apart and clean all moving parts and the float . Thank you for choosing Just Answer
Plumbing Pro : If the home is for sale and you don't want to replace the system you can just leave it on by pass , and or tell the sellers that you have a 4-600 dollar allowance towards the sale of the house .

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Expert:  Plumbing Pro replied 338 days and 23 hours ago.

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Customer replied 338 days and 23 hours ago.

I thought that your would or could provide specific information on this particular Rainsoft system and Rainsoft parts??? I had already found most of this general information on water softeners online without asking an expert.
Thanks for your reply but not what I thought that I would be paying forFrown

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Expert:  Plumbing Pro replied 338 days and 22 hours ago.

These are the diagnosis of the conditions . Try this , you say the timer is sticking , clean all contact and use compressed air to remove dust and dirt . If the timer is getting stuck then it might not be telling the solnoide  valve to be closing and that's why the brine tank is filling up with water. Investigate the timer as its the controller . I f the controller is acting up the rest of the softener might be fine . You can test the controller and timer if you have a multi test meter . The other thing is the float in the brine tank might be sticking causing the problem . Taking apart the brine tank and cleaning the inside and float will be a start . Then if you have access you can also test the float to see if it too is sending receiving power .  Also using iron out and doing a manual regeneration can do wonders .  

 
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