After many years of using a water softener, you may notice some hissing noise. There are many reasons of water softeners making a hissing noise. The reasons for hissing noise vary from system to system. Usually, the noise is due to the worn valves, warning alarms, motors’ failure, and cracks in the hoses.
Most of the noises from the water softener are not significant issues. But the hissing noise from the water softener system needs your proper attention. Here, we talk about the cause of hissing sound and how to deal with this situation.
Causes of a water softener to make noise
The hissing noise is excessively loud and continuously. It means that the working of the water softener is not accurate. There are multiple possible causes for the production of hissing noise. Below are some of the main causes:
Make different sounds during its regeneration process
The regeneration of water softening resin creates different hissing noise. Every regeneration cycle produces different noise. The hissing sound due to the regeneration-cycles is different in the various systems.
First backwash cycle noise
The starting regeneration cycle of the water softener is the rinse cycle. In this cycle, the clean water moves in the opposite direction. The purpose of the cycle is to remove the debris from the water.
This cycle is loud and therefore causes the hissing noise. The water softener with a large capacity of water will produce more hissing noise. The more the amount of water goes into the system; the cycle will make more noise.
This hissing sound is just like a running of a horse at full speed. Although the first rinse cycle has a short time and you will notice the hissing sound in this time.
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Brine rinse cycle noise
The next cycle of regeneration is the brine draw cycle. It is a long cycle as compared to the first cycle. In this cycle, the flow of water is steady, and usually, the movement is quieter. In comparison to the first and last cycle, this cycle produces less hissing noise.
The water softener system draws the brine solution from the tank. The brine solution moves towards the resin and then rinsing the brine. In this whole cycle, you will notice less amount of hissing noise.
Second backwash noise
It is the third and last cycle of the water softener system. It is a fast-flowing of clean water in the system. This cycle ensures to rinse any leftover brine from the water. This cycle is comparatively louder than the first and middle cycle. The hissing sound is due to the very strong flow rate of water.
Other causes of hissing noise other than the regeneration cycles
Hardness build-up inside inlets
The water softener system is excellent for the removal of the hard minerals. But when the water is with more hard minerals, the hardness builds-up in the system. It will cause a constraint in the flow of water. The system will create a hissing sound due to the pressure fluctuation.
Control valve produce noise
The minerals build-up on the control valve can also make the hissing sound. The build-up will decrease the flow of water. This restriction is in the inlet of the water softener system. It leads to malfunction of the system, and the water may stop. When this situation happens, you may hear a hissing sound.
Low water pressure
When the pressure tank does not produce sufficient water, then it makes a hissing noise. You can solve this problem by contacting any plumber.
Low salt or other alarm alerting you
Most of the time, the hissing sound is due to the low salt in the system. When the water softener has a low level of salt, it starts producing a hissing noise. This alarming noise alerts you to fill the salt according to requirement instantly.
Sticking valve causes a squealing or hissing noise
When the valve is sticking, it causes a hissing noise. In this case, only a small stream of water pass from the valve. The stream of water is inside the valve of the system. Thus, it causes the sound echo in the water chamber. This echo sound is much similar to a hissing noise.
If you find out this reason for sticking valve, then you can quickly solve it. You can clean the valve seals with the use of lubricant. The lubricant should of silicon-based. The replacement of these valves is the better option. At last, the hissing noise problem will quickly solve.
Due to crack in tubing or fitting
Another reason for the hissing noise is due to the cracking in the tubing. This problem is mostly present in the brine line of the system. In contrast to the brine line, sometimes this issue is of the drain line.
Usually, the brine line is a tube that goes from the system to the brine tank. This tube fills with clean water. During the regeneration cycles, this tube contains brine water. Over time, this tube becomes brittle. It is due to direct exposure to sunlight or many other reasons.
After some time, you may see a crack in the brine line. From that crack, the air can enter the brine line and cause an air pocket. At the time of the regeneration cycle, the system draws the brine solution from the tank. The more air will enter in the brine line and consequently, it causes hissing noise.
This same hissing noise produces when the system puts water back in the tank of brine. The crack in the brine line may small at the start time. It is the reason that you will hear hissing noise firstly. And then notice the leakage of water. This problem is less in the durable plastic tubing. The small crack in the tube becomes brittle.
Conclusion
The above all are some significant causes of the water softener making a hissing noise. When you find out the reason of the noise, then you can solve the problem.
