Hard water is common in Murrieta, so many homes here have a water softener in the garage or side yard. When one starts leaking, water can spread across the garage floor, run under storage boxes and keep the meter spinning. This guide covers the 6 most common causes of a leaking water softener, the checks you can make safely and when to call. Need help now? Call (951) 299-3473, 24/7.
If the puddle isn't coming from the softener at all, our leak detection Murrieta CA team can trace where the water is really coming from.
Why is my water softener leaking?
Most softener leaks come from one of six places: the bypass valve, the inlet or outlet connections, the control valve seals, the brine tank, the drain line or a cracked resin tank. Leaks often start after the unit is moved, after a pressure spike, or when old O-rings dry out and shrink.
| Where the water is | Likely cause | DIY check |
|---|---|---|
| At the pipe connections | Loose fitting or worn O-ring | Look for drips at the inlet and outlet |
| At the bypass valve | Cracked or worn bypass seals | Put the unit in bypass and watch |
| Around the top valve head | Control valve seals or piston | Dry the head, then watch during a cycle |
| Brine tank overflowing | Stuck float or brine valve | Check the water level in the brine tank |
| Near the drain hose | Loose or kinked drain line | Follow the hose to the drain |
| At the base of the tall tank | Cracked resin tank | Look for a hairline crack or seep |
