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Common Frequently Asked Questions
General Equipment FAQs
Depending on the age of your unit the processes may vary. Always bypass your system whenever you have work performed on your well.
Older style (pre-1990) 3-valve bypass: Turn both blue valves clockwise (left and right) to close flow to & from the softener. Turn the red center valve counter-clockwise to open flow between them. Water to the house continues (untreated).
Lever bypass: Same idea in different configurations. Turn the handled levers on the inlet/outlet to the off position (perpendicular to the plumbing), then turn the center valve to the opposite of its normal position.
Kinetico bypass: A window/cut-out indicates position — Green = soft water, Yellow = bypass, Red = no water.
Using a Phillips screwdriver, apply downward pressure to the softener valve center screw (on the clear plastic cap, dead center on top of the black valve head). Turn the screw clockwise until you hear three to four clicks and water flowing through the lines. Keep applying pressure while turning. Repeat after the water flow stops to be sure both resin tanks are regenerated.
K5 Drinking Station FAQs
The middle canister is your R/O membrane — do not remove it. Normally you would change all filters other than the membrane.
Turn off the water supply to the drinking system and open a faucet to relieve pressure. Turn off the water at the top of the pressure tank. Turn filters ½ turn counter-clockwise and pull down. Fill the new filters with tap water, insert, press up and turn ½ turn clockwise — match colors (e.g. replace orange with orange only) and never remove the center membrane. Slowly turn the water back on and check for leaks.
Tip: empty the tank after the first refill, as the water may be discolored with activated carbon dust.
Every 500 gallons or approximately once a year. If you haven’t changed them by year 2, we recommend changing them regardless of usage. Certain Kinetico Premier R/O systems automatically measure water use and alert you when it’s time. Water flow will significantly reduce once the 500-gallon threshold is met.
Brine Tank FAQs
Some debris remains in salt crystals and settles in the brine tank. If the tank runs low on salt, adding more can stir up this dirt, which may lodge in the brine float shut-off and cause the tank to overflow. If your brine tank overflows, please contact us for service. Note: Kinetico uses 50–75% less salt than conventional softeners.
Clean the wall of the brine tank when adding salt — pay close attention to the waterline where dirt and debris accumulate. Left in the tank, debris can be drawn into the control valve or brine float shut-off and cause system issues, hard-water build-up, and water-heater damage.
Water Heater FAQs
If water is leaking from the bottom, there is usually a crack in the internal tank and the heater will need replacement. A leak from the top is usually a fitting or plumbing part that malfunctioned and can most often be repaired.
Common causes include a broken gas control valve (gas) or a burned-out element/thermostat (electric), a bad dip tube, or sediment build-up inside the tank (especially in hard-water areas or units 8+ years old). Sometimes sediment can be flushed out; other times replacement is the best solution. Your hot-water needs may also have increased, or the tank may be undersized.
As water heaters age, sediment accumulates at the bottom of the tank. The “rumbling” is the sound of heated water escaping from that sediment. It’s not dangerous, but it signals lost efficiency and can shorten tank life. Periodic flushing can help — if sediment can be flushed out it should fix the problem, otherwise it may be time to replace the heater. A high-pitched noise can indicate high incoming water pressure and should be diagnosed promptly.
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Established in 1965 as Rainwater, and later as Water Doctor in 1997, our company has a long-standing tradition of serving the community. In 2023, we combined to form Water Doctor of Washington. As a local, family-owned business headquartered in Chehalis, WA, we are your trusted source for water treatment and plumbing solutions in Washington State.
Water Doctor of Washington
