My water softener is 10 years old. It doesn't seem to be performing like it used to. I opened the control valve and cleaned the screen and venturi. I am on city water. I am trying to determine if the resin bed is failing/needs cleaning or there is some other problem. When I disconnect the small tube from the brine tank to the control valve (at the control valve), I can blow through this tube and hear bubbling. But I cannot draw back through this tube. I took it apart and checked for damage or obstruction. It seems ok. But the check ball seems to prevent drawing fluid up the tube. My question is: Is this normal? How can it draw brine up the tube if the check ball is always blocking the opening? Should this ball float and allow two way water passage?

Hi guys and gals. I have a Ionics IQ1030B water softner unit with brine tank that has had little use, but was left sitting with the Resin wet. The resin is yellow, mushy and has some black carbon or carbon/silver mixed in with it. I understand that if the carbon is not removed every two years religiously, the resin stops working and so that may be a problem. I'm concerned that the resin is not useful good since it is mushy and I am also concerned about bacteria since the unit has sat with the resin wet for some time. Could someone recommend the type/brand resin that I should replace mine with and where to buy it, and then if I should clean the tank in any particular way in case it has been contaminated or grown bacteria. Also, I was told that the resin should fill about half of the stainless tank....does that sound about right? Thanks