My 15 year-old Kenmore water softener decided to spring a leak early this morning (I have a water alarm, thankfully so was able to shut off the water before too much water escaped).
I suspect the plastic valve body has cracked as I DID remove the top cover yesterday just to remind myself how to clean out the regeneration valve (I gave it a test twist to see how tight it was on but did not notice any leakage at that time). I did not actually remove the cap to clean it. I did have to play about to get the top cover back on, though. I don't see how that could have broken anything but who knows...
None-the-less, I am just going to purchase a new water softener and wondered what you all would recommend.
I want a salt based system as I have non-softened water at my cold kitchen tap and outside faucets so there is no worry about drinking or watering with softened water.
It seems that there are three manufacturers of these systems - just with different brand names attached.
All the reviews I've read so far on different brands are all over the board - some say they are great while others say they only lasted months or a couple of years before breaking.
When we moved into this house in 1970, there was a Culligan 2 tank unit installed (salt tank and resin tank).
When it died, I got my first Kenmore unit. After many years, the resin tank let loose and I had resin beads coming out of the faucets. The unit that just died is my 2nd Kenmore (which I installed myself since it was the exact same dimensions as my old Kenmore unit). Kenmore is still sold but only on Amazon, it seems and I doubt they are of the same quality as my 2009 unit.
Thanks for your advice, all!
I suspect the plastic valve body has cracked as I DID remove the top cover yesterday just to remind myself how to clean out the regeneration valve (I gave it a test twist to see how tight it was on but did not notice any leakage at that time). I did not actually remove the cap to clean it. I did have to play about to get the top cover back on, though. I don't see how that could have broken anything but who knows...
None-the-less, I am just going to purchase a new water softener and wondered what you all would recommend.
I want a salt based system as I have non-softened water at my cold kitchen tap and outside faucets so there is no worry about drinking or watering with softened water.
It seems that there are three manufacturers of these systems - just with different brand names attached.
All the reviews I've read so far on different brands are all over the board - some say they are great while others say they only lasted months or a couple of years before breaking.
When we moved into this house in 1970, there was a Culligan 2 tank unit installed (salt tank and resin tank).
When it died, I got my first Kenmore unit. After many years, the resin tank let loose and I had resin beads coming out of the faucets. The unit that just died is my 2nd Kenmore (which I installed myself since it was the exact same dimensions as my old Kenmore unit). Kenmore is still sold but only on Amazon, it seems and I doubt they are of the same quality as my 2009 unit.
Thanks for your advice, all!
