How to Install Water Softener? Water Softening System Installation Guide

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Water softeners are the real hero of your home, especially if you are worried about hard water. Within minutes, they convert your hard water into soft water, and thereby, you will experience soft, smooth hair and skin. Not only this, but it will also enhance the life of your appliances such as washing machines, dishwashers, coffee makers, etc. Stick to this post to know about how to install a water softener system.

Suppose you haven’t installed a water softener yet despite having hard water in your home. In that case, seriously, you are wasting your hard-earned money in changing and maintaining plumbing and different appliances.

Water softeners are really very easy and simple to install. I am sure you can do it easily by yourself; even you won’t need any labor for it. Just buy a suitable water softener for your home and installed it. It won’t require too much time.

But if you are still reluctant about installing a water softener on your own, then this article will surely help you.

So today, you will get to know that how you can easily install a water softener in your home.

Here you go!

Water Softener Installation- Is It Really Easy ?

Installing a water softener is quite an interesting and easy task, but let me add-in, it all depends upon the type of water softener you are installing.

Generally speaking, there are four main types of water softeners:

• Salt-based water softening system
• Salt-free water softening system
• Magnetic descaler
• Reverse osmosis water softener

Factor that affect Final price for your DIY water Softener is How Easy you can Install it.
If pre-plumbing for a water softener is located near, you can save time and money.

Whereas, reverse osmosis water softeners are quite hard to install. If you have prior experience installing such water softeners, you can take the risk of installing it on your own.

As far as the salt-based and salt-free water softeners are concerned, their difficulty level is moderate. The reason they are a bit tricky to install is because of the fact that you need to connect it through the pipelines, especially when you are installing a whole house water filtration plant.

If you are a DIY-er and have dealt with cutting and soldering pipes, you can only handle the installation of salt-based and salt-free water softeners. Otherwise, it’s better to hire a professional for this task. You also may require a water softener installation kit. 

Installing a water softener in a Soft Water Loop is the recommended method of installation. A soft water loop is simply a place in the waterline, before the water heater, where all water that is to be softened has to pass through.

Right Place for Setting up a Water Softener?

What should be the right place for installing a water softener? Or where to install a water softener.

Ideally, it should be installed at a place:

• Where the water enters your house
• Which is near to the heater
• Which is near to drain line
• Which has enough space for servicing.
• Where there is no direct sunlight

Most people preferred to install it in the basement, garage, or utility rooms. In these places, you can easily do cleaning and maintaining the task of your water softener. In addition to this, such places are usually hidden; your visitors won’t even guess that you have installed water softeners until or unless you show them by yourself.

Keep in mind, that we do not install water softeners in an area where freezing may occur. This will cause permanent damage to your softening unit.

These rules of installing water softeners are applied to three types of water softeners only except magnetic descaler.

When it comes to setting up a magnetic descaler, you don’t have to worry about the points mentioned above. Magnetic descaler can be easily installed anywhere, on any pipeline.

What you have to keep in mind is, install them on your main water line where the water enters your home.

How to hook up a water softener

Water Softener System Installation is easy to understand If you have a Good Plumbing System. You can hook up a water softener by yourself easily if you have little technical knowledge. Where to install a water softener – The ideal place to install a water softener is on the ground level, near to point of entry of water in the house.

PEARL OF WISDOM:

The earlier on the pipeline, you will install a water softener, safer your pipes. As hard water will get less time to spend in pipelines because as soon as it will enter in your home’s pipeline, it will be converted into soft water. Installing a water softener is pretty easy as Discussed below.

How to Install a Water Softener with a loop?

Every type of water softener requires different tools and tricks for installation. We will cover each type and will tell you how you can easily set up a water softener. How to install a water softener with or without loop, a water softener loop installation costs $600 to $2,000 on average. Soft water loop costs depend on where the loop wants to be and where the present plumbing is located. A loop is not at all times required, and some softeners have a softener loop and bypass built-in. Also water softener can be installed with well.

There are numerous ways to complete the drain requirements. Often, the drain lines are run to a floor drain, but you can also outspread the drain line into the standpipe that also drains a washing machine, or into a utility sink or sump pit. you can use the same method to install whirlpool water softener also.

SALT-BASED WATER SOFTENERS:

Step 1: Clean the area where you want to install a salt-based water softener.

Step 2: Shut off the water supply line.

Step3: With the help of a pipe cutter, cut the mainline.

Step 4: Install an elbow fitting in the line.

Step 5: Cut and install the pipes that will lead to the bypass valve.

Step 6: Using compression fittings, attach the pipe to the softening unit.

Step 7: Clamp the drain hose to the unit (to prevent back siphoning of the water, ensure the end of the hose should be at least two inches above the drain hole).

Step 8: Using the manufacturer’s instructions, connect the overflow tube to the brine tank (ensure that the overflow’s discharge should be positioned lower than the overflow fitting).

Step 9: Rotate the valve to the bypass position and flush water through it.

Step 10: Turn the valve to the backwash position and plug in the unit.

Your salt-based water softener is installed and ready to be used. Use the manufacturers’ manual and instruction to set up the regeneration schedule.

SALT-FREE WATER SOFTENING SYSTEM:

Step 1: Clean the area where you want to install the salt-free water softener and arrange the components according to your need.

Step 2: Shut off the main water supply line.

Step 3: Using a pipe cutter, cut the pipe of the cold water supply line.

Step 4: Connect a shut-off valve to the pipe you have cut by gluing it to the PVC or by soldering it to copper.

Step 5: After the shut-off valve, using compression fitting, install a carbon pre-filter.

Step 6: After the pre-filter, install a second shut-off valve.

Step 7: Attach the downflow outlet to the cold water supply line. This will allow the water to flow through the system and back through the hose.

Step 8: Turn off both shut-off valves and turn on the main water valve 

Step 9: Gradually turn on the shut-off valves one by one and check for the leakage. And that’s it. You are done!

A salt-free water softener is installed, and now you can enjoy soft and pure water from all taps of your home.

MAGNETIC DESCALER :

Step 1: Clean the pipe on which you want to install it.

Step 2: Using the manufacturer’s instructions open up the magnet box

Step 3: Fit the magnetic box around the pipe keeping in mind the direction of the water.

Step 4: Close the box around the pipe and secure and fix it with the help of the screws provided.

REVERSE OSMOSIS WATER SOFTENING SYSTEM:

Most of the reverse osmosis water softeners are installed under sink to deliver purified water through its own tap. Let me tell you, installing a reverse osmosis water-softening unit is a bit tricky task. I would recommend hiring a professional for it, especially if you are installing it for the first time.

Step 1: Shut of the water flow of the sink.

Step 2: Turn on the taps to drain the remaining water in the lines.

Step 3: Loosen your cold water feed from the valve.

Step 4: Install the saddle valve along with the filter.

Step 5: Join the one end of the water filter supply to the saddle valve.

Step 6: Connect the supply lines and waste lines to the faucet of the system.

Step 7: Connect the faucet to the sink. 

Step 8: Install the drain line adapter.

Step 9: Place the storage tank and connect the supply lines.

Step 10: Slowly turn on the faucet and check the leakage.

Now your RO water softening unit is installed and ready to be used. Read the provided user manual for further guidance.

How much to install water softener:

How much does it cost to install a water softener? Installation can cost anywhere from $400 – $4000. This depends on the type of softener, the size of your home, its capacity, and its complexity.

Wrapping Up!

Different types of water softeners require different tools and tricks for installing. We have covered every step that you can follow while installing a particular type of water softener. You can simply do a water softener installation by following the above methods.

Water softeners are truly a life-saver for you, especially when you are facing great trouble in dealing with hard water.

Though hard water is not risky for your health, it may cause permanent damage to your plumbing and appliances. You can say, in the longer run, it increases your expenses.

But if you installed a water softener in your home, you can get rid of all the problems you face because of hard water.

So installed a water softener in your home and enjoy soft and pure water anytime and from any tap.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I install a water softener myself?

yes, you can install a water softener by yourself and save extra costs of money on a plumber. You can replace the water softener in 1 hour.

How long does it take to install a water softener?

Plumbers have the best practices and knowledge about water softener installation, so they install within three hours.

Where is the best place to install a water softener?

The ideal place to install a water softener is on the ground level, near to point of entry of water in the house.

How much does it cost to install a water softener?

Mostly, water softener installation can range anywhere from as low as $400 – $3500.

Can I put my water softener outside?

Yes, you can install your water softeners outside.

How to install a water softener in pre-plumbed house?

The best way of softening water to consider is to soften only the ‘Functional’ water, that being the hot water. It is the hot water line that results in the precipitation of scale on the fittings and taps. Very little is deposited by the cold water. So, you can cut down on the cost of softening by only treating the water which you will heat.

How to install water softener drain line?

Put a stopper in the sink. And then you have a flood the next morning so you just have to make sure you watch for that you can also drain it into a sump hole you can drain the to a floor drain.

How to install water softener system?

Installing a water softener by yourself allows you to work at your own speed and with minimal expense, since a plumber is not required. Before you begin, make sure you have all of the necessary materials and equipment, as you may need to cut certain pipes in order to line up your water softener and water supply lines.

Can you have a water softener with a well?

Well water is difficult because of the minerals calcium and magnesium. Unless you live in a location where these minerals are naturally more plentiful, a home with a private well will almost certainly need a water softener.

How does a water softener work with a well?

Water softeners removes calcium and magnesium from the water using a technique called ion exchange. The hard water flows through a bed of spherical resin beads when it enters the mineral tank. Cations are ions with a positive charge, which means they have a strong attraction for each other.

Can I install water softener in garage?

A garage can be another excellent choice for water softener installation in houses without basements or crawlspaces. A garage typically has enough of room and storing softener salt is more convenient than transporting it to the basement.

Can a water softener be in an unheated garage?

The most essential thing is to keep your water softener warm enough to avoid freezing, which is why a garage space heater or any other unwalled area may be beneficial. Remember, the only requirement is that the temperature be maintained at or above 32 degrees Fahrenheit. Running water will also keep your pipes from freezing.

Does installing a water softener increase home value?

A water softener may substantially boost the value of your house by $5,000 to $10,000 based on research.

Do you really need a water softener?

You don’t need to soften your water. If the hardness of your water is more than 7 grains per gallon (or 120 mg/L), you may require a water softener to ensure that your appliances run smoothly and that the flavor, smell, or appearance of your water improves.

Can I install my water softener outside?

While most water softeners and filters can be placed outside, the combination of sun, wind, and rain is not beneficial to their longevity. If you’re going to install a water softener or other treatment system, we recommend that you do everything possible to keep it safe from the elements.

What is pre plumbing for water softener?

What Do You Need to Plan for When It Comes to Plumbing? The only thing you need to soften is the water circulating within your home. To isolate and just soften the water entering your house, you’ll need a water softener loop, a drain (for pipe discharge), and an electrical outlet.

What plumbing is needed for a water softener?

You’ll need a combination of fittings and tubing to connect the water softener to your existing plumbing. You could have copper, PVC, CPVC, steel, or PEX plumbing. Each of these plumbing systems might require different supplies and tools for installation.

How much does it cost to pre plumb a water softener?

Water softeners are not necessary when installing a water filter, and the cost is much lower. Water main is easily accessible with minimal labor required to drill through walls and access pipes: $350. Running French pipes throughout the house and/or through the attic: $750 or more.