Ok, I know a some of this has been covered in other post, but I wanted
to combine some issues in hopes of refining my problem solving and
educate myself. I'll try to be brief.

Culprit: Kenmore 625.348490 demand softener 1997 model.

Issues: High salt usage, static water level in brine tank is
increasing, final blow out...brine tank overflowed.

I noticed, within the last few months, the water level in the brine
tank had been getting higher and higher while at rest. Meaning, when I
would add salt or just check it, it seemed as if the brine tank was
holding more water than normal. (24-30" vs. 6-10" from the bottom)

In combination with this, it seemed as if I needed to add salt more and
more often. I could hardly keep up. Seemed like every time I checked
it, it needed more.

I thought the above two issues may have been attributed to a change in
water usage around the house as we had sporatic guests through the
holidays, did more laundry, and now have a new baby so I'm sure we're
using more water in other ways. Despite all that, I still thought the
salt usage and water level seemed odd, but I have nothing to compare it
to so I figured it must be doing its job.

Anyway, this weekend the brine tank actually overflowed. I walked
through the book, cleaned the valves and venturri which all looked
great! No junk or debris in the screens. I put the seals back with a
little silicone and ran manual regens. twice and finally got the brine
draw cycle to draw the water level down some, though it took 2x to get
the water level down by 2/3rds and it took forever.

One note in the manual said to make sure the drain line did not have
any substantial lifts or rises in it as it may cause slow brine draw.
I admit, my line is long and did have a 6" rise over a bump at one
point on the floor (though it is not clogged). I thought this might be
the problem so I elevated the rest of the drain line leading up to the
bump. This helped lower the water level in the tank, but I have two
issues with this. 1. It's been draining over this bump for almost 10
years without incident til now. 2. I still think it's drawing the
brine solution in very slow and using way too much salt.

Ok, this is getting long.
1. Why has my salt usage gone up so dramatically?
2. Are my seals going bad and did my silicone on the seals just give
me a temporary fix?
3. Is my problem bad seals, a worn out softener, or something else?

Thanks for any help.

njnovak wrote:
Ok, I know a some of this has been covered in other post, but I wanted
to combine some issues in hopes of refining my problem solving and
educate myself. I'll try to be brief.

Culprit: Kenmore 625.348490 demand softener 1997 model.

Issues: High salt usage, static water level in brine tank is
increasing, final blow out...brine tank overflowed.

I noticed, within the last few months, the water level in the brine
tank had been getting higher and higher while at rest. Meaning, when I
would add salt or just check it, it seemed as if the brine tank was
holding more water than normal. (24-30" vs. 6-10" from the bottom)

In combination with this, it seemed as if I needed to add salt more and
more often. I could hardly keep up. Seemed like every time I checked
it, it needed more.

I thought the above two issues may have been attributed to a change in
water usage around the house as we had sporatic guests through the
holidays, did more laundry, and now have a new baby so I'm sure we're
using more water in other ways. Despite all that, I still thought the
salt usage and water level seemed odd, but I have nothing to compare it
to so I figured it must be doing its job.

Anyway, this weekend the brine tank actually overflowed. I walked
through the book, cleaned the valves and venturri which all looked
great! No junk or debris in the screens. I put the seals back with a
little silicone and ran manual regens. twice and finally got the brine
draw cycle to draw the water level down some, though it took 2x to get
the water level down by 2/3rds and it took forever.

One note in the manual said to make sure the drain line did not have
any substantial lifts or rises in it as it may cause slow brine draw.
I admit, my line is long and did have a 6" rise over a bump at one
point on the floor (though it is not clogged). I thought this might be
the problem so I elevated the rest of the drain line leading up to the
bump. This helped lower the water level in the tank, but I have two
issues with this. 1. It's been draining over this bump for almost 10
years without incident til now. 2. I still think it's drawing the
brine solution in very slow and using way too much salt.

Ok, this is getting long.
1. Why has my salt usage gone up so dramatically?
2. Are my seals going bad and did my silicone on the seals just give
me a temporary fix?
3. Is my problem bad seals, a worn out softener, or something else?

Thanks for any help.

Hi,
When I had that same problem(almost flooded), There was a internal leak
inside the control valve. Also make sure your water usage sensor wheel
is not stuck.
I got rebuild kit from Sears.

Also make sure your water usage sensor wheel
is not stuck.
I got rebuild kit from Sears.

Water usage sensor wheel? Do you mean the Rotor and Disc? or the water
hardness sensor on the OUT side of the valve? The rotor and cam seem
to move smoothly through all cycles.

Thanks

nj,

On some Kenmore softeners there is a small wheel which carries 2 magnets.
It is on the input side of the softener and helps to measure your water
usage and thus the time to regenerate. I can't see this causing your
problem.
The rotor, rotor seal, and all of the rubber parts can wear out. So
disassemble and look at these parts. If you've been using this since 1997
then any or all of them could need replacing. I'd bet on the rotor or the
rotor seal.

Dave M.