The first question you might ask when looking for a Water Softener Salt Lake City that’s right for your home is what type of plumbing do you have? If you have a household water pipe under the sink, then there’s no need for a water softener at all. (I know, I know…some people get a little peeved at that.) If you don’t have a sink or a household pipe, it’s important to make sure the softening system will actually fit into it and work.
First of all, you have to figure out where you’d like to install your water softener. If you have a gravity-fed system, then your plumbing is pretty simple. For a gravity-fed system, simply follow the water flow down through the pipes and through the water softener unit. FYI: If your water softener unit doesn’t come with an installation kit, you should definitely get one. Not only will they help seal up the pipes, but they will also help keep the unit airtight and keep water from leaking out all over the place.
If you’re installing your water softener on your own, be sure to follow all the instructions provided by the manufacturer. If there are instructions provided, you won’t need them if you’ve read through the installation instructions carefully. Make sure you do the following: Check your meters! Most manufacturers include installation instructions with each product. If not, then search the product online for instructions.
If the mainline is old, it might be necessary to have the old softener hooked up to another line, such as your home’s main plumbing. This is usually a fairly simple process that requires no more than attaching some feelings to pipe fittings and running wiring from the softener units to your mainline, which usually has three-prong or rubber washers to prevent damage to your plumbing. Be careful, though, if you’re doing any electrical work because you may need to cut into your plumbing, especially since you’ll probably be working in a basement.
With your plumbing in place, you can now install your water softeners. Most models require you to run a certain amount of electrical current through the water softener, and depending on where you live, this might not be sufficient. If your utility sink is the only available source of water in your house (and this happens for a lot of people), you could connect the water softener directly to your floor drain. Some models have an outlet on the side, so make sure you check yours before you start.
Once you’ve installed the unit, you can begin the actual installation process. Depending on the type of water softener you have, this will vary. Most are fairly easy to install yourself, but there are always a few “do it yourself” options if you’re not familiar with plumbing. For example, some models require you to tie a knot in the plumbing to prevent the unit from leaking, while others require a simple hook-up. Regardless of how you go about installing the unit, it’s important to finish the installation the same day that you install your new plumbing.
The first thing that you have to do to install your water softener is to remove any faucets or pipes from your house that you don’t need. Then, remove all items from your bathroom, including the toilet, sink, and shower curtain. Once everything is out of the way, take apart your old softening system, starting at the bottom of the tank. You’ll probably have to go to a plumbing supply house to get the right parts, but the process should be quick.
Once everything has been put back together, follow the instructions on your manufacturer’s packaging for installing the plumbing loop. It’s usually located on the bottom of the water softener, so it should be obvious where it goes. Use your hook-up wire to connect the plumbing loop to the water softener, and then slowly run the water softener through the plumbing loop. Follow all the instructions, and then you’re done.