Hard water getting through
- Salt bridge: Hardened salt crust above water level in brine tank. Push a broom handle through to break it up.
- Salt mushing: Fine salt particles forming a sludge at the bottom of brine tank. Drain and clean the brine tank.
- Bypass valve open: Check the bypass handle — should be in service position.
- Low salt: Check salt level in brine tank — should be kept at least half full.
- Fouled resin: Iron in the water can foul resin over time. Use resin cleaner.
Running constantly / water flowing to drain
Continuous drain flow usually indicates a stuck or worn valve. The Kinetico valve body uses a series of seals and O-rings that wear over time.
- Check the bypass valve — ensure it's fully in service position
- Listen for the meter — is the turbine clicking? If not, the flow meter may be stuck
- Contact your dealer for valve inspection — Kinetico valve repair typically requires dealer parts
Not regenerating
- Salt tank empty or bridged — check salt level first
- Meter not counting — the turbine in the meter tube may be stuck or fouled with iron. Remove and clean.
- Brine injector clogged — remove and clean the injector with a small pin
- Low water pressure — Kinetico requires adequate water pressure (minimum 20 PSI) to operate
Brine tank full of water / overflowing
- Float valve stuck open — the safety float in the brine tank controls water fill. Clean or replace.
- Drain line clogged — check the drain line for kinks or blockage
- Brine valve not closing — dealer service typically required
Kinetico won't stop regenerating
Continuous regeneration typically points to the turbine meter or regeneration piston. The meter may be reading a leak somewhere in the system as water usage, triggering constant regeneration.
- Check all plumbing connections for dripping faucets or running toilets — these trigger the meter
- Inspect the bypass valve seals
- Call your dealer — persistent regeneration cycles can exhaust your salt supply quickly
When to call your Kinetico dealer
Unlike the Fleck 5600SXT where almost any repair is DIY with parts from Amazon, Kinetico repairs that involve the control valve or piston assembly generally require dealer parts and expertise. Don't hesitate to call your dealer for:
- Continuous drain flow that doesn't resolve after basic checks
- Error codes or unusual behavior you can't diagnose
- Any repair requiring internal valve disassembly
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