How to Install a Water Softener

Learning how to install a water softener is a good idea if you are planning on getting one. Water softeners are not hard to install, so it will save you a lot of time and money if you choose to do the installation on your own.

All water softeners naturally come with detailed instructions on how to install a water softener, and you can also get a lot of guides and tips to help you out.

Water softeners can do a lot for your water system. By removing hardness ions from your water supply, it can make your hair, skin, and clothes softer, and can protect your water line from accumulation and buildup.

If you have thoroughly researched the market to find a trustworthy water softener, don’t stop there. Learn how to install a water softener as well.

Choosing the location

Before you attempt to install your water softener, you should first make some preparations. First of all, you should choose the right location for your water softener. There are several considerations you have to make.

For one thing, the area should be dry, so preferably it should be indoors. If you specifically need it to be outdoors, make sure it is protected from wetness. It is also important that temperature in the area is more stable; thus, just as it is to be protected from moisture, it should also be protected from direct sunlight.

Aside from that, if you choose a two-tank water softener, make sure there is space enough for both tanks and the brine tank is easily accessible as it is the one that needs to be refilled.

Then you need to make sure that an electricity outlet can be found within 50 feet of the water softener location, and there should be a nearby drain of about 1 ½ inches in diameter. However, you can use tube extenders if your drain is a bit far away.

Setting up your water softener system

Most importantly, however, the type of water softener you use and the type of setup you want will affect your installation. Do you want all the water lines in your house to be treated, or should some of the lines remain untreated?

If you have a whole house water softener, you have to install the softener in the main water line. Once you’ve made this decision, you can move on to the steps on how to install a water softener.

Step by step guide on how to install a water softener

Step 1: Make sure you gather all the plumbing tools you need then have your manual within reach. Before you begin, read all the instructions on the manual.

Then turn off the main water valve to shut off water supply for a while. Before you begin, drain the water lines first. If you have a water heater, turn off the electricity as well.

Step 2: Take your water softener and look for the two copper stubs included in the package. These stubs are used to link the bypass valve and the copper plumbing system. Solder copper risers onto these stubs to prevent warping.

Step 3: Install the drain lines. You can do this by attaching the purge pipe, which is a ½-inch plastic tube, to the valve drain. The purge pipe has to then be attached to the overflow fitting, which is found near the brine tank.

Step 4: After the drain lines are set up, it’s time to install the water softener itself. Do this by connecting the head of the water softener to the bypass valve. Put the copper stubs mentioned earlier into the designated outlet and inlet fittings and make sure the nuts are properly secure.

Step 5: Position the water softener properly in the location that you chose for it. The area does not have to be spacious; there should just be enough space to access the brine tank.

Step 6: Next, with the water valve turned off, cut a section of around 5 inches long into the water line and route both ends of the cut pipe to the softener. Connect the water softener to the water supply pipe. Solder the fittings to secure the connection.

Step 7: Once this is done, you can turn on the water and test whether the connection works and water is supplied properly. Then take your manual again and start using your water softener so you can begin enjoying the benefits of softened water.

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