The short answer
Resin in the lines almost always means a cracked distributor tube, a broken riser or a damaged upper basket letting beads out of the tank.
What to do
- Put the softener in bypass.
- Flush lines and clean aerators.
- Open the tank and inspect the distributor (riser) and baskets.
- Replace the broken part and any lost resin.
Parts
Distributor tubes and baskets by tank size; valve parts in the lookup. Replacement resin: AFWFilters SOFRES1 1 cu ft Softener Resin.
Prevent
Restore water slowly after service to avoid pressure shocks to the tank internals.
Products mentioned
Questions readers ask
Is softener resin harmful if it gets in the water?
The beads are a sign of a broken part; flush them out and fix the cause.
Why are there yellow beads in my faucet?
Usually softener resin escaping through a broken distributor or basket.