How to Install a Water Softner
If the source of water in your home is not good, and if the water you’re receiving is hard, then a water softener can turn out to be a worthy investment. A water softener protects your plumbing system and appliances from incrustations and saves you a ton in repairs. For it to be effective, you need to install it correctly.
A water softener is a tool that is used to remove the hardness caused due to the presence of unwanted minerals in the water supply. These ions dissolve in the water as it passes through the atmosphere and soil on its way to the municipal collection facilities. Because ions are not harmful to humans, most cities do not remove them from the water before dumping them into residential neighborhoods. But, as water enters the home, it is exposed to heat and oxygen, causing the hardness to cause the minerals to evaporate and form deposits on different home appliances and bathroom fixtures.. These scale deposits can damage appliances and become frustrating for homeowners to remove. That’s the reason why people choose to install a water softener to get rid of the headache and preserve the plumbing system.
Water Softener Maintenance
The complexity of the installation process will depend on the water softener used. Homeowners who opt for a salt-based system will find that it must be connected to the pipe that brings water into the home. This will allow the water to be directed through the softener before it enters the main plumbing system. Before beginning installation, it is very important to turn off the electricity to the water heater and run some water through the pipe to expel any air present. A system that uses salt will usually have two tanks that must be located in a dry, level area that is not susceptible to freezing temperatures. A garage, basement, or heated crawl space is a commonplace for the water softener as long as there is a drain available for the brine that will be removed from the system.
When installing a salt softener, keep in mind that you must replace the salt every few months—make sure it’s easily accessible. Salt bags can be very heavy and you don’t want to get stuck going up and down many steps or in a compact crawl space. Also, the softener usually must be plugged into a three-pronged outlet (120 volts) to work. Although most systems come with a ten-foot extendible cord. It’s important to make sure you know where the outlet is when you select a site. In addition, it is critical that the softener is close to a drain so that it can direct the backwash fluid to the sewer line system after each regeneration cycle. Failure to properly connect the system to a drain can cause flooding and water damage.
Water Softener Installation Process
After selecting the location of the softener and the location of the outlet and drain, it is time to install the bypass valve on the head, connect the water connections to the softener. Make sure the overflow line is in place, program the microprocessor, and put the system into use. Details for completing each of these steps should be included in the owner’s manual accompanying the system. It is extremely important for the owner to review the steps outlined in the manual before beginning the installation process. The steps will vary depending on the system that was purchased and those required for one softener may not be necessary for a different softener.
