How To Install A Water Softener In Pre Plumbed House

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Hard water can cause many problems. First, it makes it difficult to clean plumbing fixtures, reacts with cleaning agents, makes for greater water usage, and causes pipes and faucets to wear down more easily. Hard water contains lots of abrasive minerals, which can also create soap scum and cause buildup.

Large-scale buildup from calcium and magnesium can cause huge problems for your pipes and plumbing system. Hard water also takes longer to heat, thereby causing more energy usage than necessary. The softer the water, the less energy is required to heat it.

Knowing how to install a water softener in pre plumbed house is important and requires tools you may already have and some basic plumbing knowledge. However, if the water softener loop doesn’t exist because the house is not pre plumbed, it can take more time and effort and may require the services of a professional plumber. It is best to install water softeners close to the main source of water into the house.

Read on to learn more about how to install a water softener in pre plumbed house.

Tools Needed To Install A Water Softener

A water softener will improve groundwater that is particularly hard from mineral buildup. Water softeners help you correct your hard water problem, which helps preserve your plumbing system and plumbing lines.

For a water softener installation, the tools you need include pipe cutters, a pipe wrench, tape measure, and flexible tubing. In addition, you should also have access to the appropriate copper fittings, compression fittings, and Teflon tape.

A water softener system removes magnesium and calcium (which causes hardness in water) through an ion exchange process, turning it from hard water to softened water. Although water softeners can increase sodium intake in the body and cause some water waste, the benefits far outweigh the disadvantages.

Steps On How To Install Water Softener In A Pre Plumbed House

Here’s how to do it in just a few simple steps.

Shut off the main water supply

To begin, you need to shut off the main water supply to your home. Apart from preventing a mess from flowing water as you work, this also allows you to clear your pipes before restoring the new flow of softened water.

Drain the pipes

Draining the pipes not only helps you work more easily but also removes all the hard water in the pipes and fittings.

Turn off the water heater

This step is for safety. As an electrical component, water heaters may cause electrical shocks when you are working on your pipes. So, after turning off the water heater, also switch off the electrical power leading into it.

Choose a location for the water softener

Another important step involves determining where exactly along the pipe you want to place your water softener. One major consideration is that the water softener must be attached to the water line before reaching the water heater.

Carefully cut into the main supply line

To do this, use a pipe cutter. Then, carefully slice right through the main supply water line. You need to do this to ensure you shut off the flow of water.

Install elbow fitting

An elbow fitting is necessary to feed the water softener. However, you must be sure that there is a bypass valve that you can use to feed water around your water softener if such a need arises. The advantage of an elbow fitting is that it allows you to better control the system.

Measure your pipes

Measure out the details of what you need for the pipes that lead to the valve. After measuring, cut out the pipes. Be sure your measurements are correct.

Attach your Pipes

You’ll need your soldering tool to join all the fittings. When you’re done, connect them to the valve. Then, use the compression fittings to hold the pipes to the valves.

Fix the Drainage

Let the water softener drain into a floor drain. Then, clamp the hose of your water softener and feed it into the drainage option that you selected. So the water doesn’t flow back, make sure the hose is several inches above the drainage.

Turn on your water softener

To begin using the water softening system, you need to first turn the valve to bypass so that the water flushes through the system to remove any mineral deposits left in your pipes. You can now plug in your water softening system and then slowly open the valve.

Every water softener comes with recommendations on how best to make them more effective. Simply follow the instructions, and your hard water will be treated effectively.