Kenmore Water Softener Problems: Salt Tank Full of Water
Now that Sears is officially closed, many customers are left with void warranties and even more questions about the Kenmore water softener they purchased there, like what to do if the salt tank is full of water.
At WaterSmart Systems & Plumbing, we often get calls like this. If you have standing water in your water softener salt tank, we can help!
Contact us for solutions to all your Kenmore water softener problems.
How do I tell if my Sears Kenmore water softener tank is full of water?
A properly functioning water softener uses water and salt to remove hard minerals, but sometimes excess water can build up in the brine tank, leading to performance issues. Here are four clear signs your water softener might be overfilled with water:
1. Your Water Tastes Salty
If you notice an unusually salty taste in your tap water, it’s a strong indicator that too much salt is making its way into your water supply. This often happens when excess water dilutes the salt in the brine tank improperly, causing undissolved salt or overly salty brine to flow into your home’s water lines.
2. Brine is Entering Your Water Lines
Brine is a mixture of salt and water used during the regeneration cycle of a water softener. If brine appears in your household water, it could mean the system isn’t draining properly and is instead pushing salty water into the plumbing. This might be due to a stuck float valve or a clogged drain line in the brine tank.
3. Reduced Water Flow or Clogged Faucets
When the water softener isn’t operating as it should, salt buildup and mineral residue can start clogging faucet aerators and internal plumbing. You may notice weaker water pressure in showers, sinks, or appliances like dishwashers and washing machines.
4. Frequently Clogged Toilets
A malfunctioning softener filled with excess water can lead to salt and mineral residue being deposited in your toilet tanks and bowls. Over time, this buildup can interfere with flushing mechanisms or even block water flow altogether, leading to repeated clogs.
Why is my water softener full of water?
If your water softener is filled with water, you're experiencing a common problem with Sears Kenmore units. Let's look at the different reasons why water in brine tank can get too high.
1. Water softeners begin to degrade / become unusable after 8 years
The life expectancy of a water softener starts to rapidly decline after eight years. This may be the main cause of your water softener problems and water in the salt tank.
You can have it repaired if the issue is a non-essential component like an o-ring You will, however, need a water softener brine tank replacement if it's a more serious problem. Contact a specialist to make sure before taking action.
2. The valve that controls water entry in the home is broken
If the valve that controls the water is broken, it may not be able to stop water from entering into the compartment. This is a major reason why your water softener is full of water.
The entry valve can be found on the back of the unit and unplugged to inspect for debris and other issues.
Once the valve has been cleaned and placed back in its original position, water will begin entering again at normal rates.
3. The water softener float valve is set too high
If your water softener is full of water, another potential solution is to change the Kenmore water softener float setting.
The water softener float valve controls the water levels in the brine tank. If it is set too high, excess water may build up, and your unit may not be able to release all the water after each discharge cycle.
Remove the water level indicator (entire component in the image above), disassemble it, and determine if the valve itself requires cleaning due to clogging.
After the water level indicator is disassembled, check the water level valve to see if it needs to be cleaned or has debris within it.
Once it is clean, reassemble the water level control valve and place it back into the water softene
We have covered a lot of ground quite quickly here - if you still aren't sure what to do when your water softener is full of water and how to drain, watch this handy video:
Are there other problems affecting the function of your water softener?
Here are a few ways you can prevent your Kenmore water softener tank from becoming gull of water or even overflowing:
Allow the salt to be completely depleted before adding more salt
Check both valves that mediate the entry and exit of water from the salt tank for issues
Use a mirror and flashlight to help you look closely at the valves
Kenmore water softener tank full of water? WaterSmart can help!
Trust WaterSmart with your Kenmore water softener repair. We service the cities of Kitchener, Waterloo, Cambridge, Guelph, and the surrounding areas.
We have been in operation for over 30 years and have have extensive knowledge in everything from Kenmore water softener installation to Kenmore water softener repair and replacement.
The average lifespan of a water softener is about 10 years; if it is well maintained, however, it can last up to 20 years!
If your water softener tank is filled with water, we can fix it. If there are other issues with your softener, whether it be a motor issue, resin issues, blockages, leaks, or some other less common problem, we can also take a look and get it back up and running.
Simply give us a call or send us an email to book a free estimate, or visit one of our locations today.
"My wife and I recently purchased a home that did not have a water softener since the house was built. One company advised us to use the plumbing stack for drainage because of the location of the main water pipe, this was understandable. However, Watersmart advised us with a better alternative. Since they were licensed plumbers, they were able to find a location to cut some water pipes, and install the water softener near our laundry drain. 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."
- William
