What does the turbine do in a water softener?

As water exits your softener, it spins a turbine that communicates with a magnetic sensor. That sensor sends the water flow pulse to control panel, allowing the unit to track your water usage.

How does GE water softener work?





Inside the softening system is a resin tank which is a bed of thousands of small plastic resin beads. As hard water passes through the resin bed, each bead attracts and holds the minerals in the water that make it “hard”. This is called “ion-exchanging” and works much like a magnet attracting and holding metals.

What should the flow rate be on my water softener?

about 5 gallons per minute

What Flow Rate Can A Softener Handle? The general rule of thumb is that for every 1.0 cubic foot of softener resin that a system is built with it will perfectly soften a flow rate of about 5 gallons per minute.

How long does GE water softener last?

between 10 and 15 years





Just like any other appliance, a water softener will only last for so long. Eventually, components break, electrical problems occur, and it just stops working. While they can last much longer if well maintained, water softeners have a typical lifespan of between 10 and 15 years.

How do I reset my GE water softener?

Be sure to reset your salt level indicator each time you add salt to the system. Press the RECHARGE button and hold for three seconds, until “RECHARGE NOW” begins to flash in the display, starting a recharge. This recharge draws the sanitizing bleach or brine into and through the water softener.

How do you bypass a GE water softener?

Turn the handle bypass valve to stop water entering your softener

  1. Locate the large turnable bypass knob(s) or handle(s) on your unit. …
  2. Turn the knob or handle clockwise (or if there are arrows on your handles then turn in the direction of the arrows) all the way until it stops turning.

How do I know if my GE water softener is working?

How to tell if your water softener is working

  1. Check if your “softened” water is still easy to lather. …
  2. High-quality laundry work. …
  3. Clean pipes, faucets, toilet, tiles, and sinks. …
  4. You still experience the unique taste of soft water. …
  5. Leaks. …
  6. No regeneration cycles. …
  7. Low pressure. …
  8. Resin beads problems.


How do I know if my water softener is regenerating?

The only way to find out if your water softener is regenerating normally is to check the softness of your water. You’ll notice a difference in the water while taking a shower. Or you’ll see limestone deposits in your bathroom walls or taps, and the appliances using water.

How often does GE water softener regenerate?

about every 3-6 days



The water softener will regenerate about every 3-6 days. The water softener uses several factors to determine when to regenerate: The total capacity of the water softener in GPG (grains per gallon).

How long do the resin beads last in a water softener?

10 to 15 years

If your water softener doesn’t put out any soft water or it regenerates and runs out of soft water quickly (in just a day or so), you probably have a damaged “resin bed.” A water softener resin bed normally lasts 10 to 15 years.

Why is my GE water softener full of water?

If there is high level of water in the brine tank (salt tank), check the following: A restriction in the drain hose will prevent the salt water from draining. Make sure the drain hose is not pinched or plugged. If the drain hose is elevated too high, the unit cannot drain.

How often should a water softener be serviced?



Besides adding salt to your softener and occasionally cleaning out the brine tank, most water softener manufacturers recommend that you service your softener annually.

Can I shower while water softener is regenerating?

No, it is not recommended to use water during water softener regeneration. Water can be used during the regeneration process, but the water drawn from the tank will be hard. The best thing to do is to wait for it to finish the process. The regeneration process takes about ninety minutes to two hours.

How often should you change the resin in a water softener?

Water softener resin will usually need to be replaced every 10 years. Resin that’s exposed to high levels of chlorine, iron, or water hardness will only last around 5 years. The lifespan of the resin depends on the quality of the water it is treating.

Can bacteria grow in a water softener?

It is very important to sanitize your water softener, whole house water filtration system and your interior pipes as well. Coliform and other bacteria can remain trapped in water softeners and filters and grow and multiply.

Can I put peroxide in my water softener?



Frankly unless you’re an expert we recommend staying away from hydrogen peroxide for water softener sanitation. Run the water softener through a normal or manual regeneration cycle. This will cycle the bleach-solution out of the brine tank and through the resin tank.

What is the black stuff in my water softener?

If you’ve owned your water softener for a few years or more you may notice some dark stains near the water line in the brine (salt) tank. You guessed it, that’s mold. It’s a good idea to clean that out so your water softener has a nice, fresh start.