Water Softener Installation

The water is classified as hard or soft, depending upon the number of minerals and their amount present in it. If the water contains ions of minerals such as calcium, magnesium, iron, etc., then it is termed as hard water. The hard water can cause blockages of pipes, by depositing lime scales in them.

The chemical properties of hard water prevent easy dissolution of soap and detergents, which leads to wastage of money. Water softening devices, also referred to as ion exchangers soften hard water by replacing the calcium and magnesium ions in it with sodium or potassium ions during ionization. You may prefer to install an electromagnetic water softener.

This task is a bit tough to undertake, even if you are a person with dexterous fingers. Even a professional person, well acquainted with the task needs considerable time to finish it. If you are confident and like tinkering with instruments, go ahead and read the following instructions:

• The first step is to identify the place where you can install the unit in your house.
• Next, locate the spot, where the main water pipe enters your house.
• You may want to connect the water softener to this pipe and treat whatever amount of water enters your house.

• On the other hand, you may want to treat only a part of the total amount of water supply and use the untreated water which is free of sodium as drinking water. This will make it necessary for you to connect the water softener to a pipe branching off the main water pipe.

• The softening process generates waste materials, which should be flushed out. This demands that you install the water softener, near a drain or a pipe leading to waste tank or a septic tank.
• It needs electricity for its functioning. Install an electrical outlet, if the place you have selected for the installation does not have one.

• The next step in the process is to install the bypass valve. This is required if you are going to connect water softener to the main water pipe. It will help maintain the undisturbed water supply to your house.

• Follow the instructions in the user's manual to attach the bypass valve to the controlling valve or the head of the water softener. Make sure that the in and the out arrows on both the valves point in the same direction.
• Connect the pipes to the bypass valve with the rubber O-rings acting as washers, between the connections.

• Attach plastic tubes to the overflow tank outlet and to the water softener's outlet for draining the wastes. Let their free ends empty in the drain or the waste tank.
• Turn the water supply on and test the unit and its accessories.
• If the system is not working properly, check the user manual for the instructions or call the customer care and get some advice.

If water softener installation is carried out with the help of a professional, then it will cause you an additional expenditure. If you are using lead piping, it is advisable that you change them. When soft water flows through them, it may absorb the lead which may cause lead poisoning.

Every household needs soft water for the purpose of bathing and washing cloths. If your house is supplied with hard water, then it may damage your shower water filters, laundry machine and water heater and/or reduce the life of piping in your house.

It may also adversely affect any setup that is running on solar power, by clogging its pipes. Install a water softener to avoid these problems. Do not forget to switch off the electrical power and water supply before actually starting the work.