We've put together an Ecopure Water Softener Ultimate Guide to help you troubleshoot any problems you might be having with your softener.
This guide will give you solutions to some of the most common problems you might encounter, as well as maintenance and service tips.
You can trust WaterSmart to service your Ecopure water softener, as we have been proudly servicing all brands of water softeners, including Ecopure, in the Waterloo Region for over 25 years. We’d love to put our expertise to work for you.
Ecopure Water Softener Ultimate Guide
Image Source: Rob's Garage Woodworking
1. Common Issue #1: You Have No Soft Water
There are a number of reasons why you have no soft water. These include:
Salt bridge
No power
Manual bypass valve is in the wrong position
Not enough salt
The nozzle and venturi are clogged
Salt Bridge:
If you don’t have any saltwater and your salt level doesn’t seem to be going down, then you might have a salt bridge. A salt bridge is probably one of the most common problems. It occurs when your salt solidifies in an arc above your water level.
When this happens, the brine water is not able to reach the salt, so your water softener cannot do its job.
Solution:
Break up the salt bridge by tapping on the outside of the salt tank with a rubber mallet.
If this doesn't break up the bridge, then use a long tool, such as a broom handle, to chop through the solidified salt. You can also try pouring warm water over the bridge to help loosen it up.
If you live in a humid area, it is a good idea to keep your salt levels lower and refill your tank more often to help prevent salt bridges from forming.
No Power
Your Ecopure water softener needs power to work. If it has come unplugged accidentally or if a fuse or circuit breaker has blown, then it won't be getting any power.
Solution:
Check that your unit is plugged securely into the outlet. If it is, then check your fuse/breaker box to make sure that you haven't blown a fuse or breaker for that outlet. If it has, then you need to replace the fuse or flip the breaker switch back on.
You can also test the outlet itself by plugging in a small lamp that you know is working in the outlet. If the lamp lights up, you know that the outlet is working properly.
If the lamp does not light up, then you know there is a problem with the outlet. In this case, it is best to contact a professional.
Manual Bypass Valve Is in the Wrong Position
If your bypass valve is in the wrong position, then your water softener will not be functioning properly.
Your bypass valve lets you turn off the water to your softener while still allowing water in your house pipes.
Solution:
Your bypass valve is located behind your water softener. Pull out your bypass valve to get soft water. If it has been pushed in, you won’t get soft water.
Not enough Salt
If you don't have enough salt or if you have run out of salt, then you won't have soft water.
Solution:
If you use up all of your salt, then you won’t have soft water. Slide open the salt storage lid inside your softener and check the levels frequently.
Add more salt if the level has dropped lower than 1/4 of the tank.
Make sure that the brine well cover is on when you are adding salt so that you don’t accidentally dump salt into the brine well.
the Nozzle and Venturi are clogged
Your venturi creates the suction required to move the brine from your brine tank into the resin tank.
If it gets clogged, your softener won't work. If you get any debris, scratches, etc. in the venturi passages, then this will cause you to have hard water.
Solution:
To fix this, start by turning off the water to your water softener and taking the nozzle assembly apart. You can refer to the "Cleaning the Nozzle and Venturi Assembly" section in your owner's manual to see how to do this.
Inspect the parts carefully and clean and replace anything that is dirty or broken. Make sure that the holes in the gasket are properly centred over the holes in the housing.
Cleaning your nozzle and venturi is a more complicated procedure than the previous problems. If you would like a professional to do this for you, contact us.
2. Common Issue #2: You Sometimes Have Hard Water
There are a couple of possible reasons why you sometimes have hard water. These include:
Your Water Softener Setting Is Too Low
You Are Using Hot Water While Your Softener Is Regenerating
Your Water Softener Setting Is Too Low
The Kitchener-Waterloo region has particularly high levels of water hardness. This is because most of the area’s water supply comes from groundwater that absorbs minerals like calcium and magnesium.
These minerals enter your water, which can:
Cause mineral buildups on your hot water appliances
Cause buildups in your pipes
Leave your hair and skin dry after you bathe
Leave a nasty scum on your kitchen and bathroom fixtures
If your softener has not been programmed properly to handle the high level of hardness in your area, or if the hardness setting has been adjusted too low on your Ecopure water softener, you won't have soft water.
Solution:
Press the SELECT/MENU button on the control panel until you see the words "SET HARDNESS". Press the Up or Down buttons until the desired water hardness level displays.
If you would like help determining what your water hardness level is and would like help programming your water softener, contact the local experts at WaterSmart.
You Are Using Hot Water While Your Softener Is Regenerating
If you use hot water at the same time as your water softener is recharging, then your hot water tank will automatically fill up with water that hasn't had a chance to get soft.
Solution:
Try not to use hot water while your softener is regenerating. Set the time for regeneration to occur when no one is using hot water, like in the middle of the night.
If you would like help setting the time for regeneration on your water softener, contact us at WaterSmart.
3. ERror codes and what they mean
Here are the different error codes that you might see displayed on your screen and what they mean.
Error Code 1: There is a fault in the wiring harness or connections to the position switch.
Solution: You will need to replace the wiring harness or connections to the position switch.
Error Code 2: There is a fault in your switch.
Solution: You will need to replace your switch.
Error Code 3: There is a fault in the valve that is causing high torque.
Solution: You will need to replace the rotor/seal.
Error Code 4: Your motor is inoperative.
Solution: You will need to replace your motor.
Error code 5: There is a malfunction in the electronic control.
Solution: You will need to replace your electronic control board.
The above problems are more difficult to solve on your own. If you would like help with any of these, contact us.
We repair all makes of water softeners, and we will even repair a unit that we haven’t installed.
Contact WaterSmart for more difficult water softener repairs
4. Water Softener Maintenance Tips and Tricks
Keeping your water softener in good working condition doesn't have to be complicated, but regular attention can make a big difference in how well it performs and how long it lasts. Here are some essential tips and tricks for water softener maintenance:
1. Use the Right Type of Salt
Always use high-purity salt that is specifically designed for water softeners, such as evaporated salt pellets or solar salt. These salts are formulated to minimize buildup and reduce the risk of clogging. Avoid using table salt or rock salt, as they often contain additives and impurities that can interfere with your softener’s performance and cause internal damage over time.
2. Wait Until the Salt Is Low Before Refilling
It may be tempting to top off your salt regularly, but it's best to wait until the salt level is nearly depleted before refilling. This allows you to monitor salt usage more accurately and reduces the chance of salt bridging or clumping—two common issues that can prevent your softener from regenerating properly.
3. Don’t Overfill the Brine Tank
When it's time to refill the salt, only fill your brine tank about two-thirds of the way. Overfilling can compact the salt and create bridges or blocks that interfere with the water softening process. A moderate fill level allows the system to function smoothly and makes it easier to spot any potential issues.
4. Clean the Brine Tank Annually
Over time, sludge or sediment can accumulate in the bottom of your brine tank. To keep everything running efficiently, plan to clean the brine tank at least once a year. This involves draining the tank, removing any residual salt and grime, and wiping it down with soapy water before rinsing thoroughly and refilling with fresh salt.
5. Consider Repairs Before Replacing
If your softener stops working properly, don’t assume it needs to be replaced right away. Many water softener problems can be solved with minor repairs, like replacing a valve, cleaning out a clog, or updating the timer mechanism. Have a technician evaluate the issue first, as repairs are often much more affordable than a full replacement.
With just a bit of routine maintenance, your water softener can provide soft, scale-free water for years to come. Always follow the manufacturer’s guidelines and don’t hesitate to call in a professional if you suspect a problem.
Only use pure water softener salt in your Ecopure water softener
How to Clean Your Water Softener
Your Ecopure water softener will need to be cleaned from time to time to keep it running properly and well-maintained.
You can take the following steps to clean your softener yourself:
Step 1: Unplug your water softener.
Step 2: Push in your bypass valve to redirect the water so that it doesn't go into your softener.
Step 3: Remove the lid of your softener.
Step 4: Remove the nozzle and take it apart to clean all of the pieces in warm, soapy water. You can remove and replace the 2 flow plugs with a toothpick to clean them as well.
Step 5: Put all of the pieces of your nozzle back together again, replace the lid and plug in your softener.
Tip: As you are taking the components apart, lay them out in the order that you took them out so that you can easily remember how to put them back together.
The following video will show you how to clean out your brine tank.
Your water softener needs to be cleaned periodically to work properly
5. Ecopure WATER SOFTENER REPAIR Services
If you need your Ecopure water softener repaired, contact WaterSmart. Our fully trained technicians are highly experienced and are able to work on any make or model of water softener you may have.
We will always try our best to repair your water softener before we recommend replacing it.
If you do, however, need to replace your softener, we can recommend the right type and size of softener that you need for the size of your household.
Ecopure Water Softener Troubleshooting and Replacement
Even if you didn't purchase your water softener from us, you can still rely on us to fix it for you at an affordable price. You can trust WaterSmart for your water softener repair, purchasing, and installation, as well as all your plumbing needs.
WaterSmart has been serving the Kitchener region, including Kitchener, Waterloo, Cambridge, Guelph, Brantford, and surrounding areas since 1994 with innovative water softening products and excellent service.
We are committed to helping you improve the quality of your home's water. We live and work in the Kitchener-Waterloo region, so we understand the hard water challenges of this area.
We know how to program your water softener for maximum efficiency and are familiar with the types of water softener repairs that you might need.
Contact WaterSmart today to book an appointment.
WaterSmart also offers a full range of plumbing services that include, but are not limited, to:
Kitchens and Bathrooms
Leaks
Toilets and Taps
Clogged or Slow Drains
Dishwasher Installations
Tankless Hot Water Heaters
New Plumbing and Renovations
Master Plumber and Gas Fitter
Here's what WaterSmart customers are saying:
"My wife and I recently purchased a home that did not have a water softener since the house was built.…They are very skilled professionals and have great customer service. We also bought a reverse osmosis from them. They gave us detailed instructions on how to operate the softener and reverse osmosis. I would recommend these guys. Thank you Watersmart…[Read more]”
- William
