Sometimes you may need to gain access to your softener's tank neck. The tank neck is the connection point between your valve head and resin tank. Inside the tank neck are important O-ring seals and other parts. We’re here to help you through every step of the way and at the end of this guide, you'll have the skills to access the tank neck and put it all back together again.
Printing Tip: Expand all steps before printing.
Getting Access to the Tank Neck (Click to expand directions)
1. You’ll bypass the water softener by pushing the handle in on the back of your unit. This will stop water from coming in or out of the softener while you work:
2. Remove the top cover. Refer to our article Removing the Top Cover for additional instructions.
3. You'll depressurize the unit by running a Recharge cycle. Refer to our Depressurizing your Softener article for additional instructions.
If you are unable to do a Recharge:
- Shut the water off to the home, while the softener is in service.
- Open the faucets to depressurize your plumbing.
- Then bypass the softener (by pushing it in) before turning the water back on.
4. At the neck of the tank, you'll see the white/tan clips and clamps securing the valve head to the tank. Once the softener has been depressurized, you'll want to take those clips and clamps off. You can do this by grabbing that flat tab piece of the clip and pulling it outward. Do the same to the other side. You'll also want to move down to eye level with the tank and check around that neck area. If you see anything of concern, Contact Us for assistance.
Clips On
Clips Off
5. If you need to go further and remove the valve head, you'll want to unplug the power supply from the outlet.
6. You can now remove the bypass clips on the back of the unit (pictured below). You’ll gently pull one side of the black plastic c-clip away from the softener, and slowly roll it towards the other side of the c-clip to remove.
Struggling to remove the clips? They may be bound because the system is not completely level. Try to slowly and gently rock the softener back and forth slightly while applying pressure to the c-clip as described above to free them.
7. Now gently pull your softener away from the bypass assembly.
8. It's time to disconnect the wire connections on the underside of the cover. Locate the control board (pictured below.) It's on the backside of the screen on your unit. If the board is hidden by a plastic cover, squeeze both sides of the cover to remove. Find and unplug the Wire Harness connector - a red plastic adaptor with 5 colored wires coming from it (in yellow below).
10. Next, you should locate the thick black and red motor wires attached to the board. Follow these wires and disconnect them at the white/clear plastic connector (pictured below.)
11. Go back to the tank neck area where you took off the white/tan clips. You don't want to accidently pull the riser tube out of the resin here, so place a hand on each side of the main valve head and wiggle it loose, pulling straight up and off. The wiggle motion will loosen the valve head from the tube beneath it. Set the valve head aside. This will allow you to view the tank neck and O-rings.
Reassembling the Softener
When you’re ready to reassemble, reverse the steps from above. Here's a quick breakdown:
1. Confirm all O-rings are lubricated and in place. The small O-ring on the center riser tube should sit about 1/4 inch from the top of the tube.
2. You’ll push the valve head straight back down onto the riser tube and reconnect the white/tan clamps and clips around the tank neck.
Clips Off
Clips On
3. Confirm the O-rings on the bypass valve are lubricated and in place.
4. Slide the valve head back onto the bypass valve and use the black C-clips to secure. Confirm all teeth on the C-clips lock in securely.
5. Reattach the wire harness and motor connection. The wire harness will only connect properly one way, with the wires running away from the board.
6. Gently pull the bypass valve open again, slowly introducing water back into the softener. Check periodically over the next few hours for any leaks at the connection points (bypass valve and tank neck).
7. Place the top cover back on your softener and plug the power supply back into the outlet. Nice work! You’ve gained access to your softener’s tank neck and put it back together!
Please let us know if this article was helpful by voting below.