water softener leak

  • Netguy
    Minnetonka
    Posts: 3175
    #2025826

    My water softener started leaking on the inlet fitting. I know there is an O-ring in there. Maybe it is cracked.

    It’s a Kenmore. I bought this because it replaced a Kenmore and the inlet/outlet fittings were supposed to be the same height off the floor for my plumbing, hard plumbed (not the cleanest soldering but there are no leaks!!), no flexible tubing. However, the height of the inlet was a little off and didn’t line up quite right. I installed this ~8 years ago and it just started leaking now.

    I will close the valves that go to the softener and remove the softener from the fittings. If the O-ring is cracked, I’ll replace that. If it’s not, then I will add braided stainless supply lines. Are there supply lines that connect the silver fitting on the end of the copper to the plastic fitting that goes into the softener? Is it OK to have a loop in them. The majority of the water in the house goes through the softener so there is not a lot of water sitting. What is code? I would like to keep the bypass valving.

    Attachments:
    1. connections-2.jpg

    2. connections-close-up-2.jpg

    3. valves-2.jpg

    4. connections-close-up-1.jpg

    5. valves-1.jpg

    6. connections-1.jpg

    nailswi
    Waunakee, WI
    Posts: 165
    #2025858

    Cut the copper pipe and install a flexline with sharkbite ends(make sure and do a nice job de-burring the pipe after your cuts) That should take the strain off the inlet and outlet connections. With new o-rings you should be up and running unless the plastic head on the softener has a stress crack.

    Mike W
    MN/Anoka/Ham lake
    Posts: 13294
    #2025878

    Most likely plastic warped. Seen plenty of these start leaking in the same spot. New o rings and they still leak. New adaptors and they still leak. Time for a new water softener.

    Netguy
    Minnetonka
    Posts: 3175
    #2041680

    Thought I’d give an update.
    I did what nailswi said. Cut of copper and put on corrugated shark bite supply lines. The corrugated can be formed somewhat where the braided lines can’t. This helps take off the strain to the plastic connectors which I also replaced. It’s been over a month with no leaking.

    Attachments:
    1. IMG_0864.jpg

    Jeremy
    Richland County, WI
    Posts: 701
    #2041686

    I just had to fix mine in May, I replaced the bypass valve assembly and it quit leaking, next time it leaks it is getting replaced with something different

    nailswi
    Waunakee, WI
    Posts: 165
    #2041757

    glad that worked for ya netguy

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