Tier1 Valve Not Returning to Service / Continuous Drain

Softener continuously drains water to the drain line even when not regenerating.

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Safety Warning

This repair may involve working with high voltage components or water connections. Always unplug the appliance before removing any panels.

If you are not confident in your ability to perform this repair safely, we strongly recommend contacting a professional technician.

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Possible Causes

Stuck piston or rotor, Damaged seal and spacer stack, Misaligned cam or drive gear, Debris lodged in control valve

How to Fix / Troubleshooting

Safety first: Close the inlet valve and unplug the unit. Open a nearby faucet to relieve pressure before disassembling the valve.

  • Confirm valve position: Check the display to ensure the unit is not in a regeneration step. If it shows SERVICE but water is still going to drain, the valve is not sealing correctly.
  • Inspect piston/rotor: Remove the control head cover and access the piston and seal pack or rotor/disc assembly. Look for scoring, warping, or debris.
  • Clean valve body: Rinse the valve body and internal parts with clean water. Remove any sand, iron, or resin beads that may be preventing proper sealing.
  • Replace seals and piston: If seals are worn, flattened, or torn, install a new Tier1 seal and spacer kit and piston/rotor as recommended for your model.
  • Verify cam alignment: Ensure the drive cam is correctly aligned to the SERVICE position when the unit is idle. Reassemble and test for leaks to drain.
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Repair Difficulty

Hard 4/5

Required Part

Tier1 seal and spacer kit
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