Do you own a Rainfresh Water Softener and would like some help troubleshooting common issues? Well, then this guide is for you.
You can trust WaterSmart to service your Rainfresh water softener, as we have been proudly servicing all brands of water softeners, including Rainfresh, in the Waterloo Region for more than 25 years. Let us put our expertise to work for you.
This guide will give you solutions to some of the most common problems you might encounter with your softener, as well as maintenance and service tips. So, let's get started!
Learn how to troubleshoot issues with your Rainfresh water softener or contact WaterSmart if you need expert help!
Part 1: Your water is not softening
There are a number of reasons why your water is not getting soft including:
1. There’s No Power Going to Your Softener
Your Rainfresh water softener needs power to work. If it gets unplugged by mistake, is not plugged securely into the socket, or if a fuse or circuit breaker has blown, then it won't be getting any power.
Solution:
Check to see if your softener is plugged securely into its 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.
If you aren’t sure how to replace a breaker, here’s a helpful video
2. You have a Salt Bridge in Your Softener
A salt bridge is probably one of the biggest reasons why you may not be getting soft water. A salt bridge happens when the salt in your tank solidifies in an arc above the water level creating an empty cavity between the salt and the water. This can occur due to humidity or using the wrong kind of salt in your tank.
When this happens, the brine solution is not able to reach the salt in your tank, so your water softener cannot do its job.
Solution:
You can get rid of a salt bridge by breaking it up. Start by softly tapping on the outside of the tank with a rubber mallet to loosen the bridge. You can also try pouring some warm water over the bridge to dissolve it. If this doesn't break up the bridge, then use a long tool, such as a broom handle to chop through the salt bridge.
Once you have broken up the bridge, you should use up the leftover salt and then clean out your brine tank. Before you begin to clean your tank, wait 4 hours until a brine solution has been produced and then manually regenerate your softener.
You can pour warm water over the bridge and then BREAK it UP WITH A BROOM HANDLE
How to do a Manual Regeneration:
Step 1: If the screen is locked, press the MENU for 3 seconds (The first button on the left). This will unlock your screen.
Step 2: Press the SET /REGEN button for 3 seconds (The one with the black square symbol). You will see an option for "Delayed" or "Immediate" Regeneration.
Step 3: Press the SET / REGEN button again and “Delayed” will begin flashing.
Step 4: Press the down arrow so that "Immediate" will start flashing instead.
Step 5: Press the SET / REGEN button and then press the MENU button and the valve will immediately start to manually regenerate.
3. You Have Your Manual Bypass Valve in the Wrong Position
If your manual bypass valve is in the wrong position (if it is in the OPEN position), then your water softener will not be functioning properly.
Solution:
The bypass valve is located at the back of the control. In order to have soft water, your bypass valve needs to be open. To do this, your ON/OFF knobs should be in line with the inlet and outlet pipes. If your valve is closed, you can open it by turning the knob counter-clockwise.
In an emergency situation such as your brine tank was overflowing, you could cut off the water supply to your softener by turning the bypass valve clockwise.
4. You Don’t Have Enough Salt
If you don't have enough salt in your water softener or if you have run out of salt then it won't work properly.
Solution:
The salt tank should never be empty. To add salt to your Rainfresh water softener, slide off the cabinet lid and pour the salt directly into the brine tank. Be sure the brine well cover is on and fill only to the height of the brine well.
You also don’t want to overfill your tank. Once you add salt up to the water level in your tank, don’t add any more than 2 or 3 bags of salt.
Make sure your salt level is always above your water level
5. YouR Water Pressure is low
Your water pressure may be low due to iron or scale buildup in the water supply line that lets water into your softener or you may have an iron buildup inside your valve or tank.
Solution:
If the buildup is in your water supply line, you can try cleaning it with a solution of vinegar and water to get rid of the scale or you may have to replace it.
If the buildup is inside your tank, then you can add a resin cleaner to clean it out. Follow the instructions on the resin cleaner package.
6. YouR Water Softener Cycles continuously
Your water softener should only cycle during the scheduled regenerations, not all the time. If this happens, then you may have a faulty circuit board.
Solution:
You will need to contact a professional to replace your circuit board.
If you need help with more difficult repairs, contact a professional
Part 2: You sometimes have hard water
There are a few possible reasons why you sometimes have hard water. These include:
Your Water Softener Is Set Incorrectly
Your Softener Is Regenerating When You Are Using Hot Water
You Have a Mechanical Defect
1. Your Water Softener Is Set Incorrectly
The Kitchener-Waterloo region has extremely high levels of water hardness. In fact, this area has some of the hardest water in all of Canada. This is because most of the area’s water supply comes from groundwater that absorbs minerals like calcium and magnesium.
These minerals cause your water to be hard 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 this area, or if the hardness setting has been adjusted too low on your Rainfresh water softener, you won't have soft water.
Solution:
It may not be easy to determine the best setting for your water softener. It will depend on the amount of hardness in your water and the amount of water that your household uses. You can check the water hardness levels for the Waterloo region here.
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.
Source: DanaMaps
The Kw Region has some of the hardest water in all of canada
2. You Are Using Hot Water While Your Softener Is Regenerating
If you use hot water at the same time as your water softener is regenerating, then your hot water tank will automatically fill up with water that hasn't had a chance to get soft. Your Rainfresh water softener’s regeneration cycle lasts about 2 hours, after this time, your soft water service will be restored.
Solution:
Try not to use hot water while your softener is regenerating. Set your softener to automatically regenerate at night when no one needs to use hot water. If you perform a manual regeneration make sure that you do this at a time when you don’t need hot water.
3. You Have a Mechanical Defect
Generally speaking, your water softener will function properly for many years, however, as with most small appliances, you may eventually encounter a mechanical problem.
Solution:
Call a professional to repair your water softener.
If you notice that your water is hard sometimes, make sure that your softener is regenerating properly
Part 3: How to Clean Your Injector Assembly
If there is any salt, silt, or sediment build-up in your softener's injector assembly, it will get clogged and prevent your system from working properly. Here are some simple steps to follow to clean your injector assembly:
Step 1: Turn off the water supply to your softener.
Step 2: Release the water pressure by turning on a cold soft water faucet.
Step 3: Take a screwdriver and unscrew the two screws that hold the injector cover to the control valve body. (Page 12 of your owner's manual will show you a diagram displaying the location of all of these parts).
Step 4: Carefully remove the injector assembly and take it apart. Lay each part on a clean surface as you remove them in the order that you took them off so that it will be easier to reassemble.
Step 5: Remove the injector orifice and throat from the valve body with a large screwdriver.
Step 6: Gently rinse all of the parts, including the screen, to remove any debris. You can use a mild acid such as vinegar or Pro-Rust Out to clean out the tiny holes in the orifice and throat.
Step 7: Put the injector assembly back together in the reverse order that you took it apart.
*Note: Take a look at page 12 of your owner’s manual to see images of this process.
*Tip: Using pure water softener salt will help to keep it free from debris and will cut down on clogging.
You should Only use pure water softener salt in your Rainfresh water softener
Part 4: How to Sanitize Your Softener
You may wish to sanitize your water softener from time to time. If so, here are the steps to follow:
Step 1: Pour 3/4 ounces of common 5.25% household bleach into the brine well.
Step 2: Start a manual regeneration. If the screen is locked, press the MENU for 3 seconds. This will unlock your screen.
Step 3: Press the SET /REGEN button for 3 seconds. You will see an option for "Delayed" or "Immediate" Regeneration.
Step 4: Press the SET / REGEN button again and “Delayed” will begin flashing.
Step 5: Press the down arrow so that "Immediate" will start flashing instead.
Step 6: Press the SET / REGEN button and then press the MENU button and the valve will immediately start to manually regenerate.
Note: This sanitizing regeneration will take about two hours to complete. Once the sanitizing has happened, you will have soft water again. It's best to do the sanitizing at a time when you aren't using your soft water.
You can sanitize your brine tank periodically using household bleach
Part 5: Water Softener Maintenance Tips and Tricks
Use only pure salt, specially designed for water softeners. Never use regular table salt; it has too many impurities.
Don't add more salt until almost all of the salt has been used up.
Don't add too much salt when you are refilling it. The salt level should come up about two-thirds in your tank.
Clean your brine tank once a year with mild soap. Avoid abrasive cleaners.
Before you replace a water softener, have it checked out to see if it can be repaired instead. Most water softener repairs are relatively inexpensive.
You should get the injector assembly cleaned or replaced every year depending on your inlet water quality and water usage.
Learn the do’s and don’ts of adding salt to your water softener
Part 6: Rainfresh WATER SOFTENER REPAIR Services
If you need your Rainfresh 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 would 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.
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
“
”I went here for a second opinion and to have my water hardness tested after terrible service (and multiple visits) from another company. This place has unbelievable customer service. Very knowledgeable and informative, not to mention generous with their time. They truly went above and beyond, and sent me home with a zero dollar bill -and the knowledge needed to fix my water softener myself.” ”
