Important Elements for Proper Softening System Installation

The presence of hardness causing ions in residential water supplies is a fairly common problem in the US that has led many homeowners to purchase and install a water softening system. Although the presence of these ions has not been shown to be harmful to human health, they do lead to deposits on bathroom fixtures and pans, decreased lathering of soap, and damaged appliances. Calcium and magnesium are the two most common ions that cause hard water issues. Because these ions occur naturally in the soil, they are picked up by water as it travels through the environment on its way toward municipal water sites. The water is then collected and pumped to residential households that are serviced by the supplier in the area. Since the ions are not harmful, most states do not require that they be removed before the water is delivered to homeowners.

Individuals who are experiencing problems with hard water in their home and who plan to purchase and install a softening system in order to eliminate these ions from the water should review a few important elements associated with softener installation before selecting a product. In general, homeowners tend to prefer softening systems that use salt to completely remove calcium and magnesium from the water. These products work through the use of one tank that is designed to bind ions to a resin bed contained within the tank and a second tank that stores the salt that is used to rinse the ions off of the resin bed once it has reached its maximum capacity to bind particles. The concentrated solution that is produced by this process is known as backwash, and it is directed into the waste water plumbing system.

Since the two tanks are fairly large and must be accessed easily in order to replenish the salt every few months, it is important to select an area of the home that is flat, dry, and not exposed to temperatures that drop below freezing. A heated garage or basement is a great option for setting up the softener, but a crawl space may also work if it is large enough to accommodate the equipment and is easily accessed. In addition, most systems use a computerized control mechanism that monitors the capacity of the resin bed an initiates a regeneration cycle at the appropriate time. In order for the microprocessor to work correctly, the softener must be plugged into an outlet. While the outlet does not need to be adjacent to the softening system, it is a good idea to figure out where the outlet is before deciding on a location. A waste water drain will also need to be present near the softener so that the backwash can be sent to the sewage system. Failure to properly connect the product to a drain could result in severe damage.

The next phase of the water softener installation process requires that the electricity to the hot water tank be turned off and any air in the pipes be forced out by running some water through them. After this has been done, the softening system can be attached to the plumbing network, the overflow line can be secured, the bypass valve can be connected, the microprocessor can be programmed, and the system can be put into use. Since the installation requirements for different products can vary, the homeowner should make sure they review the user’s manual before attempting to install the product. Individuals who do not have plumbing experience or who are uncomfortable with the idea of installing the system themselves are strongly encouraged to hire a certified plumber or technician. Not only does this ensure that the system is set up correctly, but it might also be required in order for the manufacturer’s warranty to remain valid. This will be very important if the product has any sort of functional issue down the road. Most regions of the United States have a number of qualified installers.

More Information:

Homeowners who are considering purchasing a softening system for their home should think about visiting www.homewatersoftenerreviews.com where they will find a broad range of reviews covering several different products currently available on the market along with details about how softeners work, differences between salt-based and salt-free systems, and much more. Reading through this information prior to buying a specific system will help homeowners develop a more informed perspective of water softening and may help guide the decision-making process.