How To Install A Water Softener (with Pictures) - WikiHow

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Terms of Use wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Learn why people trust wikiHow How to Install a Water Softener PDF download Download Article Explore this Article Steps Steps Other Sections Questions & Answers Video Things You'll Need Related Articles Expert Interview References Co-authored by David Balkan

Last Updated: July 8, 2024 References

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This article was co-authored by David Balkan. David Balkan is a Professional Plumber, CEO of Balkan Sewer and Water Main Service, and President of Balkan Sewer and Drain Cleaning. As a hands-on owner of these companies for over 40 years, David is knowledgeable about water service lines, sewers, and drain line issues. David is a Committee Chairman of the Master Plumbers Council and has sat on the Executive Committee of the Sub Surface Plumbers Association of New York for over 30 years. His knowledge and solution-oriented approach contributed to Balkan Sewer and Water Main Service being the largest and most trusted service in New York City and the recipient of the 2017 Angie’s List Super Service Award. This article has been viewed 208,016 times.

Ground water that has excessive minerals in it is called hard water. Hard water doesn't dissolve soap and detergent very well and leaves behind scales, which stain toilets and sinks. Installing a water softener will reduce the amount of minerals, and provide your house with soft water. Installing a water softener is a straightforward DIY project you can accomplish without a professional; read on below to learn how!

Steps

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  1. Step 1 Shut off the water to the house and turn off the power to the hot water heater. 1 Shut off the water to the house and turn off the power to the hot water heater.[1] [2]
    • Read all the directions that came with your water softener before you began the installation.[3]
  2. Step 2 Turn on all the faucets and outside hoses to drain your water lines before you put in a water softener. 2 Turn on all the faucets and outside hoses to drain your water lines before you put in a water softener.[4]
  3. Step 3 Position your water conditioner in a dry, safe area that is level. 3 Position your water conditioner in a dry, safe area that is level. Most water softeners have 2 tanks, and you need to set them next to each other.
  4. Step 4 Measure the length between the cold water line and the bypass ports on the water softener tank with a measuring tape. 4 Measure the length between the cold water line and the bypass ports on the water softener tank with a measuring tape. Cut a piece of copper tubing that length, and solder fittings on the ends. Water conditioner installation includes some soldering work.[5]
  5. Step 5 Follow the manufacturer's direction to install the discharge tube on the water softener head. 5 Follow the manufacturer's direction to install the discharge tube on the water softener head.[6]
  6. Step 6 Run the overflow tube that's attached to the side of the water conditioner tank and the discharge tube to a drain. 6 Run the overflow tube that's attached to the side of the water conditioner tank and the discharge tube to a drain. With water softener installation, you must provide drainage.[7]
  7. Step 7 Put the bypass valve on to the water conditioner's head valve. 7 Put the bypass valve on to the water conditioner's head valve. Adjust the screws on the stainless steel clamps with a screwdriver to seat the valve. When you install a water softener, be sure to have all your tools ready.
  8. Step 8 Connect the copper tubing that delivers water to the bypass valve. 8 Connect the copper tubing that delivers water to the bypass valve. Use a wrench to tighten the supply tube nuts. When you put in a water softener, don't wrench the nuts too tight.
  9. Step 9 Attach the copper tubing from the water conditioner to the water lines. 9 Attach the copper tubing from the water conditioner to the water lines.
    • Scrub the fittings and the pipes with steel wool. When installing a water conditioner, you'll need to solder the fitting to the pipes.
    • Solder the fittings together by applying flux and melting it with a propane torch.
  10. Step 10 Turn your electric heater and the water to the house back on. 10 Turn your electric heater and the water to the house back on.
  11. Step 11 Plug the control valve in and put about 4 gallons (15.142 liters) of water into the brine tank. 11 Plug the control valve in and put about 4 gallons (15.142 liters) of water into the brine tank. Water softener installation includes setting up the brine tank, and you'll need to add 40 lbs. (18.144 kg) of potassium chloride salt or sodium chloride to the unit.[8]
  12. Step 12 Put your conditioner into the backwash stage and set the bypass valve to the service position. 12 Put your conditioner into the backwash stage and set the bypass valve to the service position. To put in a water softener, open the water supply valve to the 1/4 position to let oxygen run from the drain line.
  13. Step 13 Turn the water supply valve completely on when a steady stream of water appears at the drain. 13 Turn the water supply valve completely on when a steady stream of water appears at the drain.
  14. Step 14 Let the conditioner run through the complete backwash cycle when installing a water softener. 14 Let the conditioner run through the complete backwash cycle when installing a water softener.
  15. Step 15 Test the system for leaks. 15 Test the system for leaks. If any water is escaping, check your soldering and the nuts. Re-solder or tighten nuts to repair any leaks.
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Community Q&A

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  • Question How can I drain softener without going through the septic tank? Community Answer Community Answer Your septic tank takes all the drain water. Why do you not want it going to the septic tank? Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 12 Helpful 51
  • Question Does the water softener need to be close to the water heater? Community Answer Community Answer No, but usually they are close anyways since the appliances are normally in a closet where all these things are installed. Otherwise, it would not change operation to have it elsewhere. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 2 Helpful 7
  • Question What if I don't have a drain? Are there any other options? WECO Sales Team WECO Sales Team Community Answer Collected calcium, iron and magnesium ions (hardness ions) in the bed need to be flushed out. This is done by sending water at a high flow rate though the bed in reverse direction of normal water flow. So to answer your question, all water softeners must have a drain that backwashes the softener bed periodically. If you just need particulate contaminants removed from water, you can go with a big blue cartridge filter instead of a softener and avoid the need for a drain. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 0 Helpful 6
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Things You'll Need

  • Water Softener
  • Measuring tape
  • Soldering iron
  • Fittings
  • Copper tubing
  • Screwdriver
  • Wrench
  • Steel wool
  • Flux
  • Propane torch
  • Potassium chloride salt or sodium chloride

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Expert Interview

Thanks for reading our article! If you’d like to learn more about installing water filters, check out our in-depth interview with David Balkan.

References

  1. ↑ David Balkan. Professional Plumber & CEO of Balkan Sewer & Water Main. Expert Interview
  2. ↑ https://www.bhg.com/home-improvement/plumbing/how-to-install-water-softener/
  3. ↑ David Balkan. Professional Plumber & CEO of Balkan Sewer & Water Main. Expert Interview
  4. ↑ https://www.watersoftenercritic.com/water-softener-installation/
  5. ↑ https://www.watersoftenercritic.com/water-softener-installation/
  6. ↑ David Balkan. Professional Plumber & CEO of Balkan Sewer & Water Main. Expert Interview
  7. ↑ https://www.bhg.com/home-improvement/plumbing/how-to-install-water-softener/
  8. ↑ http://blog.watertech.com/how-to-maintain-a-water-softener-brine-tank/

About This Article

David Balkan Co-authored by: David Balkan Professional Plumber This article was co-authored by David Balkan. David Balkan is a Professional Plumber, CEO of Balkan Sewer and Water Main Service, and President of Balkan Sewer and Drain Cleaning. As a hands-on owner of these companies for over 40 years, David is knowledgeable about water service lines, sewers, and drain line issues. David is a Committee Chairman of the Master Plumbers Council and has sat on the Executive Committee of the Sub Surface Plumbers Association of New York for over 30 years. His knowledge and solution-oriented approach contributed to Balkan Sewer and Water Main Service being the largest and most trusted service in New York City and the recipient of the 2017 Angie’s List Super Service Award. This article has been viewed 208,016 times. How helpful is this? Co-authors: 17 Updated: July 8, 2024 Views: 208,016 Categories: Water Filters In other languages Russian Spanish Italian
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Yes No Advertisement Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. David Balkan Co-authored by: David Balkan Professional Plumber Click a star to vote Co-authors: 17 Updated: July 8, 2024 Views: 208,016

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