How to Fix Water Softener Problems With Low Pressure

How to Fix Water Softener Problems With Low Pressure
Published: May 11, 2011
Updated: Nov 20, 2021
1 minute read

Have your water softener professionally serviced once a year, or perform the maintenance indicated in your owner's manual. To increase water pressure in the water softener tanks, you will need to restore the resin bed.

Things You Will Need

  • Screwdriver
  • Wet/dry vacuum
  • Gravel
  1. Unplug the unit from the wall. Close the inlet and outlet valves on the tank by turning the water control knobs.

  2. Insert a screwdriver into the backwash control for the tanks and backwash the system. This relieves pressure from the tanks.

  3. Unscrew the valve at the top of the tank. Siphon water that is on top of the resin out of the tank.

  4. Vacuum the resin off the top of the tank using a wet/dry vacuum.

  5. Add 1/4 to 1/8 inch gravel to the bottom of the tank until there is 3 to 4 inches.

  6. Reinstall the valve. Open the inlet bypass valve and fill the tank. Watch the water that flows out of the drain until it turns clear, then close the valve.

  7. Restore the tank to the regular flow position.

The Drip Cap

  • Areas that have a high mineral content in the water may need a water softener.
  • To increase water pressure in the water softener tanks, you will need to restore the resin bed.
  • Unscrew the valve at the top of the tank.
  • Add 1/4 to 1/8 inch gravel to the bottom of the tank until there is 3 to 4 inches.

Photo Credits

Hemera Technologies/Photos.com/Getty Images

Hemera Technologies/Photos.com/Getty Images

Cleveland Van Cecil

Cleveland Van Cecil is a freelancer writer specializing in technology. He has been a freelance writer since 2008 and has published extensively online, writing articles on subjects as diverse as boat motors and hydroponic gardening. Van…

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