April 19, 2023

Water Softener: Why are water softener resin beads in my water?

A broken screen or failed seal in the upper distributor can allow water softener resin beads to escape into the water supply. A cracked upper distributor also can cause this problem.

Unplug the water softener and shut off the water supply, then remove the valve assembly and inspect the upper distributor components. Replace the screen if it's torn or damaged. Replace the screen seal if it's damaged. Replace the upper distributor if it's cracked.

You'll need to add resin beads to the filter or replace the resin beads after repairing the upper distributor.

water softener

THESE REPAIRS MAY HELP SOLVE YOUR WATER SOFTENER PROBLEM

JC-WS-Replace-the-water-softener-water-resin-beads

Replace the water softener resin beads

As the water flows through the resin tank, resin beads act as magnets to attract and remove the hard water minerals that make the water hard. Resin beads last for about 10 years before losing effectiveness. Replace the resin beads every 10 years or when you notice that the water softener no longer softens water despite preventive maintenance and system troubleshooting.

Water softener resin beads

Find the required part specific to your product.

Symptoms for water softeners

Choose a symptom to see related water softener repairs.

Main causes: clogged drain hose, faulty rotor valve, leaky rotor valve seals…

Main causes: broken water flow meter, faulty timer, water flow to softener is bypassed…

Main causes: faulty brine valve assembly, bad rotor valve…

Main causes: broken resin tank screen, bad resin tank seals, cracked upper distributor in resin tank…

Main causes: salt bridge inside the salt tank, bad timer, valve motor failure, faulty rotor valve, clogged venturi…

Main causes: lack of electrical power, bad power transformer, faulty timer…

Main causes: empty salt tank, salt bridge, depleted resin, clogged or damaged venturi, broken rotor position switch, fai…

Main causes: loose water line connections, cracked water-carrying components, bad rotor valve seals…

Repair guides for water softeners

These step-by-step repair guides will help you safely fix what’s broken on your water softener.

How to replace a water softener rotor position switch

How to replace a water softener rotor position switch

The rotor position switch detects the position of the valve rotor. If the rotor position switch fails, follow these step…

Repair difficulty
Time required
 30 minutes or less
How to replace a water softener timer

How to replace a water softener timer

The timer is the control board you use to program the water softener. If the timer isn’t accepting commands when you pus…

Repair difficulty
Time required
 15 minutes or less
How to replace a water softener venturi

How to replace a water softener venturi

The venturi valve in your water softener draws brine water from the salt tank to the resin tank for regeneration. Follow…

Repair difficulty
Time required
 15 minutes or less

Articles and videos for water softeners

Use the advice and tips in these articles and videos to get the most out of your water softener.

Top questions about Sears and Sears PartsDirect

Top questions about Sears and Sears PartsDirect

Get answers to frequently asked questions about Sears and Sears PartsDirect.…

How to read a wiring schematic video

How to read a wiring schematic video

Learn how to decipher symbols so you can buy the right part for your problem.…

How to use a multimeter to test electrical parts video

How to use a multimeter to test electrical parts video

Learn how to use a multimeter to check for wiring problems in an appliance that's not working…