I recently installed all new plumbing with all new drain lines. The previous owner put a new kenmore water softner 3 years ago. It works every now and then. The water smells bad and I know that it has something to with the water softner. Lets put it this way... I bought the house 1 year ago and have not needed to add salt!! Please help, I can not figure this out.

I have bought 2 houses that had a Sears softener. Both were junk. I am using the Culligan exchange system system now. Do something before all your piping is limed up.

The smell may be the water. I have a whole house cartridge filter. I use the Ace Hardware carbon filters. They need changed frequently, but cut the taste and odor.

Does your area have notorously hard water?

Does your water softener have a bypass? If so, bypass for about a week - does it go away?

Smells bad? Like what? Eggs?

First do what Stew advised. Localize the problem by bypassing the softener.
First let me show you how to bypass the softener,(see image.)
All bypases have the same basic design. Yours may look different but they all work the same.
When the softener's in the system valve 1 and 3 are open and valve 3 is closed.
To bypass the softener close valves 1 and 3 and open valve number 2.
Good luck and let me know what turns up. Regards, Tom

First, thank you for the replies and the info. Ok... I live on a well and I replaced all the old copper pipe with PEX. I did it all myself and bought a brand new water heater, bladder tank, all new faucets, sinks, showers, toilets, etc... EVERYTHING is new. OK, I bypasses the water softener and the smell does not go away and we have got rust stains on brand new toilets!! Thank god for "The Works" Cleans it up good. It smells like rotten eggs and has a yellow tint. I know that it has to be the water softener. I installed 2 whole house filters and change the filters every other month, I buy the filters at Menards. I really need to figure this out, I didn't buy all new stuff to have this happening. I normally know what to do when it comes to construction and all that but this has me stumped!! I really don't want to buy a new water softener, invested too much all ready. Please, if anyone can help or give me more info it is VERY grateful.

Are you using the black activated charcoal taste and odor filter cartridges? The others wouldn't stop the taste and odor of my water.

No, but I can try it. Anything you would suggest on the softner problem?

I had the same problem with my well water. During my "rehab" of the house I replaced everything that you did. If you bypassed the softner and the water still smells it most likely is not the problem. I use the charcol filters and they did cut the smell but did not eliminate it. Test the water at one of the outside hose bibs. If the house is plumbed correctly the bib will be connected to the cold supply before the softener so you're not using soft water when using the garden hose. In effect the hose is connected to the supply at the tank. If the water smells at the hose bib the problem is the well water. Well drillers can chlorinate the well but that is only a short term fix. You may have to have to install an inline chlorination system. The smell comes from bacteria in the well-not harmful just makes the water stink. If the toilets show rust stains, yep, the softner is not working. I agree with one of the other posters in that Kenmore softeners are junk (speak from experience:mad: ). Get a new one.

OK... if I get a new one what brand should I get? I will try the hose bibs and I know they bypass the water softner. I installed the plumbing and I remember doing that. I have a funny feeling that it has to do with the softner. Where is the best place to get one? Also, what do you guys think of PEX used in plumbing? Just want to see what you guys think. Thanks for the info.

First-Though strange things happen I highly doubt the softener is the problem, especially after you bypassed it and the water still smelled. At the least, the softener is not working properly if it all. I researched this when I had this problem and found that the smell generally comes from three sources; the water heater, dirty pipes, or the well water-may also happen with city water. The water heater has an anode rod that sometimes causes problems, but since you replaced the heater that’s not the problem- [URL="http://www.sutherlands.com/aboutwaterheaters.htm#a10"] for a good overview on water heaters. It’s new piping so forget that. That leaves the water. Second- The PEX should not be a problem, though I’m not totally familiar with its use. My only concern is if it is allowed by your local code for whole house supply lines. If not, you could run into some problems when selling the house. Third- As for the softener, look in the phone book under water treatment. Selecting a softener is not that hard but you should know the hardness of the water, the number of fixtures and the number of people in the house to get a unit with the proper grain capacity. One or two-piece units available depending on how much room available. I’ve found that some of the major softener manufactures private brand their products. Look for a good warranty and a softener with a name brand control unit such as Fleck or Autotrol. If you do find that the softener is the problem let me know so I can find out what I missed.:confused:

OK, I said I would update this when I decided to change something. First, PEX is used in Indiana and I am sure elsewhere for water supply lines. Much faster and easier then copper. As far as the softener, I replaced it over this past weekend and everything is fine. The odor in the water has gone away and there so far has been no rust stains in plumbing fixtures. Just thought you all would want to know. Thank you again for all the helpful info!!

We're glad you got your problem resolved. Please feel free to call on us again if we can be of service. Tom