Sorry to say, this is a job for vendor service. I have little doubt it will be a simple matter, but really should be tended to. Suspect more than 50 but less than 100 although can't tell at cyber-distance knowing nothing more. Don't know how old your unit is so I have to fudge there but typically they're good units. Single fix should have you right indefinitely. Suggest overruling your mother. Suspect it will be simple and quick and likely not very expensive.

If I'm totally wrong and it's toast, suggest replacement with Kinetico which will likely outlive both of you.

Thanks! The unit is four years old, I don't think we'd be
having any problems except that rats got into it a year
and a half ago and had to fix a couple of things that they
chewed. This was preceeded by a long cold night. I'll
get back to them and see what's next. It's just frustrating to replace parts per Water Boss's advice and
not have it work. Our local plumbers don't know much
about these units and yes, I think they are excellent and
I love the fact that you can replace pieces as they go
awry without having to replace the whole unit.

One of the disadvantages of pre-built box store softeners is that there's no expert local service available. I understand that Waterboss has an 800 tech support number but you can't move the softener close enough to the phone for them to see it. The Waterboss warranty on a new softener is for parts only, NO LABOR so even new you have to bear the labor cost if warranty repair is required..

We can't blame the rat damage on the softener and if a "long cold night" means freezing temperatures you very well could have damaged the resin and internal parts that are made out of ABS. ABS can become very brittle at low temps and is grossly inferior to the Noryl used in industry standard softeners.

As far as "It's just frustrating to replace parts per Water Boss's advice and not have it work", I agree. That's a poor diagnostic approach... unacceptable and costly.

The bitterness of less quality and no local service lingers long after the sweetness of low price is gone.

I suggest you contact a local water treatment professional and get a FREE quote to replace your Waterboss with an industry standard softener using a Fleck metered control valve as a cost point to compare repair costs.

An industry standard softener will last decades longer, be easier and less expensive to get parts for, and be repairable by more local pros than your Waterboss.

Tell Mom if she wants soft water this will cost some, but relatively little over the long haul, if you make an informed decision.