Softener is not using any salt; salt level in the Tier1 brine tank never goes down and water remains hard.

Safety first: Unplug the unit and wear gloves. Salt and brine can irritate skin and corrode metal surfaces.

• Break salt bridge: Push a broom handle or plastic rod straight down into the salt bed in several spots. If you feel a hollow space before reaching the bottom, break the crust so salt falls into the water below.
• Check for salt mushing: If the bottom of the tank is filled with a thick, mushy salt paste, scoop it out and dispose of it. Rinse the tank and refill with fresh, clean salt.
• Clean brine well and float: Remove the brine well cover and pull out the float assembly. Clean off any sludge or scale. Ensure the float moves freely and the air check at the bottom opens and closes properly.
• Inspect and clean injector/venturi: Remove the injector/venturi from the Tier1 control valve. Clean the nozzle, throat, and screens thoroughly. Reinstall with gaskets correctly seated.
• Test brine draw: Start a manual regeneration and watch the brine level during the brine draw stage. It should drop steadily. If not, recheck for restrictions or replace the brine injector/venturi assembly and/or brine float assembly.