Softener occasionally allows hard water through during high-demand periods but is otherwise soft.

Safety first: No special hazards; avoid sudden changes in plumbing under pressure.

• Assess demand: Compare your household peak flow (number of fixtures used simultaneously) to the Tier1 softener's rated service flow.
• Check bypass configuration: Ensure the bypass is fully in SERVICE and that any external bypass piping is correctly sized.
• Reduce peak demand: Stagger high-flow activities (showers, laundry, irrigation) to avoid exceeding the softener's capacity.
• Consider system upgrade: If peak demand regularly exceeds the softener's rating, consider upgrading to a larger Tier1 softener or adding a second unit in parallel.