How to Repair a Water Softener

In this video, This Old House plumbing and heating contractor Richard Trethewey refurbishes an old water softener.

Steps:

1. Remove the control head from the water softener and pull out the tank.

2. Dump the old resin beads from the tank, and flush the tank clean using a garden hose.

3. Place new manifold tube inside of tank; temporarily seal top end of tube with piece of electrical tape.

4. Dump several inches of gravel into tank; fill remainder of tank with resin beads.

5. Remove tape from top of tube, then thread new control head onto manifold tube.

6. Install a new valve onto the control head.

7. Make plumbing connections joining cold-water supply to tank, and water-supply line to the house.

8. Install a second tank next to the water softener, and fill it with blocks of sodium to create a brine solution.

9. Make the pipe connections joining the brine-solution tank to the water softener.

10. Connect the discharge hose to softener.

11. Once all connections are made, turn on the water and check for leaks.