Water remains hard even though the Morton water softener appears to run and regenerate normally.

Safety first: Unplug the unit and place it in bypass before opening any plumbing connections. Depressurize the system by running a nearby faucet.

• Confirm regeneration function: Verify that the unit is actually regenerating (check brine draw, backwash, and refill). If regeneration is not occurring, address that first.
• Test hardness: Use a hardness test kit to measure raw water and softened water. If both are similar, the resin is likely not exchanging ions effectively.
• Check resin age and exposure: Resin typically lasts 10–15 years under normal conditions. High chlorine or iron can shorten life. If the resin is older or has been exposed to high chlorine, replacement is recommended.
• Inspect resin bed: Disconnect the softener from plumbing, remove the valve head, and look into the resin tank. If resin appears mushy, clumped, or heavily discolored, it is likely fouled.
• Replace resin: Siphon or dump out the old resin and gravel. Refill with the correct cation exchange resin and underbed gravel per Morton specifications. Reinstall the valve head with new O-rings if needed.
• Sanitize and regenerate: After reassembly, sanitize the system according to Morton’s instructions and run at least one full regeneration before using the water.