Care of Your Water Softener
SALT BRIDGE
Sometimes, a hard crust or salt “bridge” forms in the brine tank. It is usually caused by high humidity or the wrong kind of salt. When the salt “bridges,” an empty space forms between the water and the salt. Then, salt will not dissolve in the water to make brine. Without brine, the resin bed is not recharged and hard water will result.
If the storage tank is full of salt, it is difficult to tell if you have a salt bridge. A bridge may be underneath loose salt. Take a broom handle, or like tool, and hold it next to the water softener. Measure the distance from the floor to the rim of the water softener. Then, gently push the broom handle straight down into the salt. If a hard object is felt before the pencil mark is even with the top, it is most likely a salt bridge. Gently push into the bridge in several places to break it. Do not use any sharp or pointed objects as you may punc- ture the brine tank. Do not try to break the salt bridge by pounding on the outside of the salt tank. You may damage the tank.
Push tool into salt bridge to break 
1” - 2”
Pencil
Mark
Broom
Handle
Salt
Salt Bridge
Empty Space
Water Level
Figure 40
Service Information
ALWAYS MAKE THESE INITIAL CHECKS FIRST 1. Does the time display show the correct time of day? = If display is blank, check power source to the sof-
tener.
= If time is flashing, power was off for a long peri- od. The softener resumes normal operation but regenerations occur at the wrong time.
= If an error code (example: “Err3”) shows in the dis- play, go to “Troubleshooting”.
2. Are bypass valve(s) fully in service position?
3. Are the inlet and outlet pipes connected to the sof- tener inlet and outlet respectively?
4. Is the softener’s transformer plugged into a “live”, grounded wall outlet, and the power cable fastened securely to the controller?
5.Is the valve drain hose free of kinks and sharp bends, and not elevated more than 8 ft. above the floor?
6.Is there salt in the storage tank?
7.Is the brine tubing connected? Brine tubing connects to nozzle/venturi and brine valve assembly.
8.Press the SELECT button twice to display the hard- ness setting. Make sure it is correct for the house- hold’s water supply. Perform a hardness test of the untreated incoming water and compare with the hardness setting. Also test a soft water sample to verify if a problem exists. Press the SELECT button several more times to return to present time display.
Questions? Call the Kenmore Water Line
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