Size and grain capacity
Estimate the grain load between regenerations from household water use, hardness, and iron.
Water Softener Troubleshooting, Settings & Sizing Tools
Start with a symptom, calculate the capacity your household needs, or find the right hardness setting for your water. Every technical number shows its source or assumption.
Official manuals linked · No brand affiliation · Safety limits shown
What is your water softener doing?
Choose the closest symptom. You can change the answer at any time.
- It is not regenerating
- The salt level never goes down
- There is too much water in the brine tank
- The water still feels hard
- It drains constantly or will not drain
- The display is blank or shows an error
Not sure which symptom fits? Start the 2-minute diagnosis. Start diagnosis
Calculate before you change a setting
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Hardness setting
Convert ppm to grains per gallon and see where manufacturer-specific iron rules change the result.
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Parts diagram
Identify the component a manual or technician is referring to before you touch it.
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Official manuals
Find owner and programming manuals by brand and model without relying on an unrelated copy.
Guidance that shows its work
SoftenerCheck compares each symptom with official manufacturer manuals and established water-treatment references. We separate general checks from model-specific instructions, show the assumptions behind calculations, and link the source used for technical details.
Sources behind the tools on this page
Each link goes to the manufacturer or organisation that published it. We do not host copies.
- Pentair American Plumber Softeners & Filters Catalog PDF
- Whirlpool Water Solutions Hard Water & Water Softening Systems FAQ
- Whirlpool Water Solutions Whirlpool Water Softener Owner’s Manual — Models WHES30 and WHES33 PDF
- GE Appliances Water Softener — Not Softening the Water