Nature has a way to clean its own water supply, which we humans call as the water cycle. Every time the water cycle finishes, rain sends back the water on Earth. Rainwater is considered soft water naturally. However, as the water travels underground or on the surface, it absorbs minerals like calcium and magnesium, transferring it to what we call “hard water”.
Hard water is safe to drink. In fact, it is preferred when it comes to consumption because of the additional minerals that it contains. But people prefer working with soft water because hard water can damage plumbing systems and machines. Salt is often added to make hard water back to soft water via a water softener. Unfortunately, additional salt is not recommended, especially for people who have high blood pressure.
Although soft water is great for working with things plumbing systems and machines, it might not be drinkable. If there is a more mineral concentration in hard water, the more salt is required to soften it. How would you make softened water drinkable and healthy? By using another component: the reverse osmosis system.
How To Install A Water Softener?
A water softener system is costly; on average, a professional installation will cost you $4,000. However, this would be a good investment in the long run, especially if you have a high level of hardness in your water supply. You wouldn’t need to incur a lot of expenses for repairs in machines and in plumbing. Your bill will also start to go down because water consumption will be less. Fortunately, you can install a water softener system yourself to reduce the cost.
Things that you’ll need:
- Pipe cutters
- 2 Channel Lock Pliers
- Teflon Tape
- Tape Measure
- PVC Glue and Primer
- 3/4″ Flex Connectors
- Bags of Water Softener Salt
- 1/2″ Poly Tubing Drain Line
- Air Gap Fitting
Instructions:
- Prepare For The Installation
Read the manual for the water softener and make sure all parts are in the package. Look for a place that is usually dry and is covered by both natural and man-made elements. Turn off the water supply and open the faucets to get rid of water residues in the pipes. Measure the pipes and mark where to cut for tank installation.
- Installing The Tanks
Next, tape the Distributor and make sure that it is positioned properly in the center of the tank. Put the resin ad then remove the tape from the distributor. Insert the Upper Basket in the tube and turn it until it fits snugly. Cut the pipes where you marked it earlier and connect the Flex Connectors. Attach both flex connectors to the tanks in and out port. Use pliers to tighten the nut in connectors.
- Insert The Water Softener Salt
Connect the tank to the Brine Tank using the Brine line and pour the salt inside. Only refill the salt if the tank is empty. The next step is to prime the Air Gap and the drain plumbing before applying glue and connecting both. Connect the Softener Valve to the Air Gap via Drain Line.
- Power Up And Program Your Softener
You can power up the softener by connecting the transformer to the valve. After that, you need to program your softener. Follow the instruction in your manual properly. Once you set the programming perfectly, you can start using the softener in your water supply.
Watch here: https://youtu.be/qy391HwCxbI
How To Install A Reverse Osmosis System?
A water softener is often paired with a Reverse Osmosis (RO) System. Not only will an RO system reduce or remove the entirety of salt from a water softener, but it will also help in reducing other impurities in the water. Fortunately, an RO system is more affordable. It also helps to protect your equipment, which is a long-term investment itself. Don’t forget to also turn off the water heater if you have one.
Things that you’ll need:
- Teflon tape
- Tubing cutter
- Philips Screw Driver
- Drill bits and electric drill (optional)
- Center punch
- Adjustable Wrench
- Hammer
Instructions:
- Install And Mount The Faucet
Chances are, you don’t have to drill a new hole to install and mount a new faucet. However, if you had the worst scenario, make sure to drill a hole cleanly with different drill sizes and clean the edges. Mount the faucet spigot to the countertop and connect the filter cable below. Based on your faucet, you might have to install FT-05, SV-3, or SV-6 faucet adaptor, which will be the connection point for your tubings.
- Install The Drain Saddle Valve And Other Tubing Connections
The Drain Saddle will be collecting the wastewater from the sink. To install, drill a 1/4″ hole in the pipe and align the drain saddle connection to the hole. After the clamp is properly aligned, secure the saddle position by a screw and nut. Once the clamp is installed, connect all the tubings in the system. Connections might vary because of manufacturing differences, so check the manual included in your kit.
- Install The RO Module And Test The Bladder Tank
To install the RO Module properly, it must be positioned at least 2” above the floor in a straight alignment. Use a level tool to ensure proper alignment for the module. Prefill the bladder tank first using the feed line until the flow stops. Close the valve and turn your regular faucet on to relieve the pressure. You can then connect the RO Module in the feed line.
- Finalize All Tubing Connections
Don’t forget to check the fittings of each connection before opening the self-piercing valve, which will allow the checking of leaks. Use the water from the bladder tank to open the faucet and then close it for five minutes to check for leaks. Drain the bladder tank, close the faucet, and wait until the system produce a full tank of water. Do the last step for the second time. At this point, the water is now ready to be consumed.
Read more: https://www.h2odistributors.com/pages/manuals/reverse-osmosis-installation-animation.asp
Conclusion
Water Softener is a great tool to remove the minerals from hard water. Because of the addition of salt, water softener alone might not be enough option for everyone. It is recommended to install an RO filter to reduce the salt content being added in the water softener procedure.
That’s it for this article, I hope you learned something regarding the installation of both Water Softener and RO filter. Enjoy your clean and sodium-free soft water at home.