water softener filter failure

[MudMoney]

Just want to know how many other members have had the resin filter @ bottom of tank break off .2nd time in my 30 years this has happened, what a mess.I install new tubes and screens when I change out the resin bed 2 years ago. Last time this happened was 2007 day before vacation. A very expensive repair and down time.

 

[PaulLovesJamie]

Yeah, happened to me once 20 years or so ago, I think caused by broken down resin gumming things up.

 

[MEP001]

I've seen it happen a number of times. It's sometimes caused by the tube being too long. It can also be caused by a weak tank or really high water pressure. If the tank expands vertically when pressurized, gravel will fall under the filter, then it eventually crushes the filter when the pressure drops. Make sure the tube isn't so long that it's butting up against the stop when it's assembled, and lubricate the o-ring and tube with silicone o-ring lube. That will let it move instead of pulling the filter up off the bottom.

 

[cantbreak80]

I've seen it happen due to extreme water hammer.
The IBA water tank had a float switch/solenoid valve that would wake the dead when it closed.
Before they could get a large enough expansion tank installed, it destroyed the resin and broke the distributor.

IIRC, the facility had an undersized water main and to keep the IBA from starving they simply cranked up the pressure reducing valve to 85psi. Yikes!

 

[mjwalsh]

IIRC, the facility had an undersized water main and to keep the IBA from starving they simply cranked up the pressure reducing valve to 85psi. Yikes!

That tells us that when we had an undersized water main back in 1987 ... we enlisted the help of a friend (in our youths) mechanical engineer. After discussing the alternatives ... we decided to "face the music" & put in a 4 inch pipe from the closer newer main out in the street just before the crews shut down during the winter. This is the first time I found out about another unintended possible softener consequence of going the boosting pump add pressure route!