The most common causes are a failed timer or control board, a stuck bypass valve, a clogged injector, or salt bridging in the brine tank that prevents brine from being drawn into the system. Academy Air can pinpoint which of these is affecting your unit.
Need Emergency Service?
We’re available 24/7 for plumbing, heating, cooling & electrical emergencies.
PROFESSIONAL PLUMBING SERVICES NEAR ST. LOUIS, MO
Benefits and Advantages of Expert Water Softener Repair Services From Academy Air Heating, Cooling, Plumbing and Electric
WARNING SIGNS
Signs and Symptoms of a Water Softener in Need of Professional Repair
If you notice any of the following, call Academy Air before hard water starts causing damage throughout your home:
Cloudy Dishes and Spotting
A film or cloudy residue on glassware and dishes right out of the dishwasher is one of the clearest signs your water is no longer being softened.
Needing More Soap or Detergent
If it suddenly takes more soap, shampoo, or detergent to work up a lather, your softener may no longer be removing minerals effectively.
Itchy Skin and Dull Hair
Hard water leaves mineral residue on skin and hair, which can cause dryness and irritation after showering.
Salt Level Not Dropping
If the salt in your brine tank is not going down at a normal rate, your system may not be regenerating on schedule.
Salt Bridging or Crusting
A hardened crust of salt can form above the water line in the brine tank, preventing the system from drawing brine during regeneration.
Reduced Water Pressure
A clogged resin bed or a stuck valve inside the softener can restrict water flow throughout your home.
CUSTOMER REVIEWS
What Your St. Louis Neighbors Are Saying
Homeowners across St. Louis, Chesterfield, St. Charles, Ballwin, and beyond trust Academy Air for professional water softener repair. Here’s what some of them have to say.
Tom Grace
a month agoI cannot recommend Demetrius Shaw and Academy highly enough. Demetrius came to provide our semi-annual HVAC maintenance. Demetrius was extremely professional, always wore shoe covers inside and took the time to identify issues outside the scope of his assigned tasks. Instead of just identifying them he took the time to explain them, the underlying issues, and to suggest corrective course of action. He provided transparent pricing before starting any work. Fast, honest, efficient and top notch service. Top marks across the board!
Katherine Lavely
2 months agoThe response time was good. They came out within 24 hours. The repair man was awesome. He told me step-by-step of what can occur and how much it would cost. So five stars thank you everyone and thank you for repairman
Samija Halilovic
2 months agoI unfortunately woke up on my birthday to a flooded lower level after our main sewer drain backed up. I called Academy Air Heating, Cooling, Plumbing & Electric, and even on short notice they had someone out quickly for a very reasonable service call. I received an estimate at 10:42 and an update that our technician, Isaiah, was on his way by 12:08. Isaiah was professional, kind, and got right to work. He quickly diagnosed the issue, cleared the blockage, and thoroughly tested everything afterward by running water and flushing multiple times to make sure the problem was fully resolved. What really stood out was that he didn't just fix the issue and leave, he took the time to explain what caused the backup and gave my husband and me practical maintenance tips to help prevent it from happening again. We really appreciated how knowledgeable, patient, and helpful he was. No one wants to deal with a sewer backup, especially on their birthday, but Isaiah made a stressful situation so much easier. Excellent service from start to finish. Highly recommend!
Bradly Gould
2 months agoGreat experience! Had a loud unit that needed service, I called on a Sunday and they had someone out the next afternoon. John came out and was awesome. He did a detailed assessment and went over all options with their pros and cons. He truly was helping us decide the best option based on our situation and not pressuring us into buying more than we needed. I appreciated his professional opinion without high pressure sales, he was truly on our side. Highly recommend and will continue to use them for maintenance and repairs in the future. Stop looking, this is your company.
Jesse Trousdale
2 months agoGreat experience! Joe Vetter is my hero! It was an easy fix thankfully, but he was so kind and knowledgeable and went above & beyond to explain and educate me on the system & plumbing in my new home. I truly appreciate his help and expertise. Couldn’t have asked for a better technician. Will definitely be sticking with Joe & Academy for future plumbing & HVAC needs!
Larry Petcu
5 months agoClayton did a great job in installing the various components of by home backup system to include backup breaker, Interlock kit, power inlets, charging panel outlet and electrical system grounding. Anthony and David returned to complete the "future" task of the project a few weeks later to add another RV type outlet to the power station charging branch to permit turbo charging. They also added a "Return to Grid Power" sensor to complete the system. They also moved an outside GFCI outlet as I was having a deck extension added to the screen room. Similarly to Clayton's work, Anthony was meticulous, knowledgeable and extremely mindful of minimal disturbance to the home. Anthony also used this complex project to educate and train David, his apprentice, on tasks that he may not have otherwise had the opportunity to encounter. I commend their work and recommend them for similar projects.
Layla Getwell
8 months agoI had a great experience working with Anthony Dietz. He took the time to explain everything in detail, educated me on the issue, and walked me through all of my options without any pressure. I really appreciated how clearly Anthony broke things down so I could make an informed, confident decision about what was best for my situation. It’s refreshing to work with someone who is knowledgeable, patient, and genuinely focused on helping rather than just selling a quick fix. I would absolutely recommend Anthony to anyone looking for an honest and professional electrician. Oh did I mention he was friendly? lol
Sir Fairley
8 months agoThis company is amazing!!! They came out and got the old units uninstalled and had the new ones in with a few hours. Extremely polite and professional. Walked us through how the new units worked and how to set them for optimal efficiency and performance. The two installation techs were a true blessing to me and my family. Thanks again Joe and Ryan for your time and help. And thank you Academy Air for your service.
Skip the DIY. Guessing at a softener repair can waste salt, waste water, and mask a bigger problem. Call Academy Air at (314) 770-9800 to get it diagnosed and fixed correctly.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions About Water Softener Repair
What Causes A Water Softener To Stop Regenerating?
How Long Does It Take To Get Soft Water After A Repair Or Installation?
Once a softener is repaired and completes its next regeneration cycle, you should notice softer water within that same day, since the system needs to run through a full cycle to fully recharge the resin.
What Happens If A Water Softener Stops Regenerating?
Once regeneration stops, the resin bed can no longer exchange hardness minerals for sodium, so your water will gradually return to being hard. Left unaddressed, hard water can lead to scale buildup in pipes, water heaters, and appliances.
What Is The Average Cost To Repair A Water Softener?
Cost depends on what is actually wrong — a stuck valve, a worn seal kit, or a control head failure all carry different price tags. Academy Air will diagnose your specific system and give you an upfront price before we start any repair.
My Valve Seems To Be Running, But The Salt Level Is Not Dropping. What Could Cause This?
This is often a sign of salt bridging — a hardened crust forming above the water line in the brine tank that keeps the water from reaching and dissolving the salt. Breaking up the bridge or clearing a stuck valve is usually all it takes, and Academy Air can diagnose and fix it in one visit.
My Valve Appears To Be Operating, But The Salt Is Not Going Down. What Could Cause This Problem?
There are a few reasons why your valve may appear to be operating but the salt is not going down. It is most likely due to a mechanical problem involving residue from the salt. You will need a plumbing expert at Academy Air Heating, Cooling, Plumbing and Electric to troubleshoot this issue properly.
What Is The Average Repair Cost Of A Water Softener?
The average repair cost of a water softener depends on several factors mostly surrounding the size and the complexity of your system. Smaller water softeners installed under the sink are more cost-effective to fix than larger whole-house units. Call Academy Air Heating, Cooling, Plumbing and Electric to get a quote on a water softener repair for your home.
What Happens If A Water Softener Doesn’t Regenerate?
When your water softener regenerates, it flushes minerals from your water softener’s resin beads. So, if your water softener does not regenerate, those beads would become too heavily inundated with minerals to function properly.
How Long Does It Take To Get Soft Water After Installing A Water Softener?
After installing a water softener, you can expect to get soft water within about two weeks. The amount of scale already in your home can affect how quickly softened water will get rid of it.
What Causes A Water Softener To Not Regenerate?
If a water softener is not regenerating it is most likely due to a hard salt crust, also called a “salt bridge,” that has formed in the bottom of the tank. The bridge prevents salt from falling down and dissolving in the water to form brine. If too little salt gets dissolved, the resin can’t regenerate and will eventually stop softening, which will further call for repair. In this case have a professional plumber at Academy Air Heating, Cooling, Plumbing and Electric come out to repair your water softener.
RELATED SERVICES
More Plumbing Services
Water Heater Installation
Academy Air installs correctly sized, code-compliant water heaters throughout the St. Louis area — tank and tankless, gas and electric — backed by a written workmanship guarantee.
Kitchen Plumbing Repair
Academy Air repairs leaking sinks, dripping faucets, clogged drains, garbage disposals, and dishwasher connections throughout the St. Louis area — most repairs completed the same day.
Gas Line Installation
Academy Air’s licensed plumbers install new gas lines throughout the St. Louis area — sized, routed, and pressure-tested to code, with permits and inspections handled for you.
Frozen Pipe Repair
Our team of specialists are expertly trained with the skills, tools, and knowledge that is required to accurately and thoroughly repair your home’s pipes.
Gas Line Repair
Our team of specialists are expertly trained with the skill sets, tools, and knowledge that is required to accurately and thoroughly replace and install your home’s gas line.
Leak Detection
Our team of plumbing professionals have the skills, tools, and expertise that is needed to detect and locate where your pipes are leaking and help you repair your pipes.
Plumbing Installation
When you need plumbing installation in the St. Louis, MO area, count on the licensed plumbers at Academy Air to get the job done right, up to code, the first time.
Plumbing Repair
Our team of specialists are expertly trained with the skills, tools, and knowledge that is required to accurately and thoroughly address any plumbing repairs your home may require.
Repiping
Our team of specialists are expertly trained with the skill sets, equipment, and expertise that is required to accurately repipe your current piping system.
Sump Pump Installation
If you are in need of sump pump replacement, you can count on Academy Air Heating, Cooling, Plumbing and Electric to get the job done as effectively as possible and never begin any work without your approval first.
Tankless Water Heater Installation
Our team of specialists are expertly trained with the skills, tools, and knowledge that is required to accurately install or replace your tankless water heater.
Tankless Water Heater Maintenance
Our team of specialists are expertly trained with the skills, tools, and knowledge that is required to accurately tune-up your tankless water heater.
Tankless Water Heater Repair
Our team of specialists are expertly trained with the skills, tools, and knowledge that is required to accurately repair your tankless water heater.
Water Heater Maintenance
Our team of specialists are expertly trained with the skills, tools, and knowledge that is required to accurately maintain your water heater.
Water Heater Repair
When your water heater stops delivering hot water, trust the licensed plumbers at Academy Air to diagnose the problem fast and get it fixed right, day or night.
Water Softener Installation
Our team of specialists are expertly trained with the skills, tools, and knowledge that is required to accurately install or replace your water softener.
Water Softener Repair
Academy Air diagnoses and repairs water softeners of every major brand throughout the St. Louis area, from salt bridging and valve failures to systems that will not regenerate.
Water Filtration Installation
The experts at Academy Air Heating, Cooling, Plumbing and Electric can help you get set up with a home water filtration system that will remove these contaminants from your water.