How Are Water Softeners Installed?
Water softeners are highly advantageous because they provide your home with purified water for drinking, cleaning, and bathing. A few reasons people introduce their home to a water softener include the following:
- Better tasting water
- More efficient appliance performance
- Reduce water fixture residue
- Cleaner, softer laundry
If you’re planning on self-installing a filtration system in your home, but don’t know how water softeners are installed, Alamo Water Softeners has you covered. We cover the softener installation procedure step by step in this guide.
Where To Install It
Choose a large enough space for your water softener system that allows easy access and maintenance. The area should be dry and close to the main water line of the home. Basements and garages are popular spots for water systems.
Pre-Installation Preparation
Select the right softener
There are many different softener types to choose from. Test your water to determine your home’s filtration needs. Alamo Water Softeners offers a variety of water softeners systems in San Antonio, in addition to resources to help you decide on the right system.
Turn off the water supply and water heater
Avoid causing a major leak by shutting off the main water supply. If you have an electric water heater, you’ll also need to turn that off to prevent damage.
Drain attached water lines
Turn nearby water fixtures on to drain the remaining water. If the installation goes south, this step can save you from ruining nearby faucets and water outlets in your home.
Hooking Up Your System
Place your softener
Put your chosen softener in the proper position, confirming that it stands level. If you have a brine tank, install it before positioning the main system.
Cut into the supply line
Using a pipe cutter, gash the main line. Catch any excess water with a bucket and sand down the pipes’ edges.
Install bypass if required
At this time, if you have a softener without a built-in bypass valve, you’ll need to install one. This feature allows homeowners to easily shut off the supply for maintenance needs.
Grease the bypass valve O-rings. Push it far into the softener valve and keep it in place with holding clips.
Attach inlet and outlet ports
Now, you’ll attach the incoming and outgoing water to the softener’s inlet and outlet ports. Double check that you got the waterflow direction right. Hard or flexible tubing works just fine for the pipe connections.
Drain and overflow connection
For a salt-based softener, connect the drain hose to the drain valve. Route the other end of the hose to a drain and attach it.
Utilize a second hose to prevent the brine tank from overflow. Connect it to the overflow valve, routing the hose to the drain.
Install brine line if required
For a side-by-side system, you’ll then attach the brine line to the brine and resin tank.
Post-Installation Involvement
Once you figure out how water softeners are installed, there’s still some post-installation reconnaissance to do. You should…
- Fully sanitize the system
- Slowly turn on water supply
- Semi-open the bypass valve
- Check for leaks and start a regeneration cycle
With that, you’re all set to enjoy the benefits of having a quality water softener system!
