How to Install a Water Softener

While you may know you need a water softener subsequently testing your water's hardness, the idea of installing a h2o softener tin can be daunting. Whirlpool softeners tin exist installed past a DIY-er familiar with principles of plumbing.

Water Softener Installation Cost Considerations

If you're prepared to accept on a fleck of handiwork, the cost to install a h2o softener is less than a professional installation. Eliminating the cost of labor means that the price largely depends on the capabilities of your water softening unit, which is measured in grains. Typically, the college the grain count, the higher the water softener system price.

The number of people in a household provides a basis for the minimum number of grains you should be looking for in your side by side unit:

1-iv People: ~30,000 grains minimum
v-six People: ~forty,000 grains minimum

Another factor that may touch on the concluding toll of your DIY h2o softener project is the ease of installation. If the pre-plumbing for your water softener is conveniently located near the equipment itself, you tin can save time and money eliminating the need for additional plumbing.

Planning your upkeep and want to know exactly how much it will be to install your water softener ? Cheque out our option of products to find the ideal unit of measurement for your needs.

Water Softener DIY Installation

Click here to lookout our YouTube installation video!

Installing a water softener yourself allows you lot to work on the project at your own pace and without spending extra coin on a plumber. If you're simply replacing an one-time water softener, this can be washed in under an hour. A new installation does require some additional plumbing noesis, but can be tackled in a few hours. Yous'll want to make sure you lot have all the necessary supplies and tools before you begin, equally you lot may need to cut some pipes to align your water softener and water supply lines. Creating a detailed checklist before y'all brainstorm, will ensure you don't miss any steps.

Whirlpool® Water Softeners come with everything to install and hook upwards to i" NPT (National Pipe Thread). ). If your plumbing is smaller or larger than 1"…

Before Y'all Get Started:

  • Two one" NPT female connectors and enough tubing to connect from the water softener to your existing plumbing. Y'all may have copper, PVC, CPVC, steel or PEX plumbing. Each of these plumbing types may require dissimilar materials and different tools for installation.
  • A drain is necessary for the regeneration or recharge procedure. 12 anxiety of drain tubing is supplied but if your drain is further and so 5 feet abroad, yous will need to purchase enough ½" tubing to reach your drain. The drain should not be more than xxx feet abroad from the softener and the drain line should non be elevated more 8 anxiety to a higher place the flooring.
  • The power string (transformer) needs to be plugged into a 110V continuous live outlet. The unit comes with a 10 foot power cord.

Where to Install a H2o Softener

If you lot're asking yourself, "where does a water softener go?", it'southward time to practice a chip of investigating effectually your dwelling. On the other manus, if you lot have a general agreement of how to plumb a h2o softener, yous can quickly identify the most effective location.

If you're installing a whole-dwelling house organization, you're going to desire to identify the softener equally shut to the entry point for h2o in your dwelling. As a full general rule, it'south best to place a water softener at the earliest possible signal in your home plumbing system. That means placing your h2o softener somewhere it can feed into your h2o heater, rather than placing it downstream from this equipment. Not only will you prevent hot water from damaging your softener, only you lot volition likewise extend the life of your water heater by feeding information technology softer water.

Every installation scenario is different, only some general plumbing requirements for installation include:

  • 3 gallons per minute at the inlet
  • 125 PSI maximum water force per unit area

Your h2o softener will demand power to function, and general water softener electrical requirements include:

  • A 120V, threescore htz grounded outlet with excursion billow protection
  • If using an extension cord, ensure that it is a #20AWG appliance replacement cord

Wondering how to install a h2o softener with a well? As long every bit the water source enters your home in the aforementioned fashion as a municipal water supply, the installation steps are identical.

Typical Basement Installation

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Typical Slab Foundation Installation

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Quick Installation Checklist – see installation manual for details

  1. Turn off water supply at master
  2. Drain water lines
  3. Make proper connections (Optional: install remote bypass)
  4. Fill brine tank half-total with table salt
  5. Ensure bypass is shut, slowly turn on water, check for leaks
  6. Complete start-up process

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