Water Softener

[RyanbabZ71]

Anyone ever install a water softener? How much of a PITA is it? My wife is wanting me to add one to the house. Worst part would be running electric to that part of the house since there are no outlets anywhere near the water heater

[dsmazz]

The water softner has to be installed where the water supply enters the house. If that's near the water heater, you can install it there, if not, you won't be able to. In my case, the water heater is in one corner of the basement, and the water supply comes into the house at the other end of the house. You will need to add a power supply line if one is not where you need it. It's probably ok to tap off an existing outlet, but you'll need to determine the amp draw on the circuit to be safe. Also, if this is in a basement, you'll most likely need to encase the electrical line in metal conduit to be within code. You will also have to have a drain nearby for the flush to drain in to. You'll need a bypass valve installed. Some units come with a bypass valve, some don't. You may want to consider the outside faucets as well. We have ours setup so I can flip a valve and use softened water if I was the car or truck; or flip the valve the other way to water flowers and trees.

 

If you've never sweated copper pipe, here's a few tips.

 

1. Make sure the copper is clean, both the outside of the pipe and the inside of the fitting. I use sandpaper or emery cloth to rough it up a bit and get rid of any oxidation.

 

2. Use flux paste on both parts that you want to sweat.

 

3. Use lead free solder.

 

4. Make sure there's not one drop of water in the line when you attempt to sweat the pipes. Any water will keep the temperature too low to allow a good solder joint.

 

5. Apply heat with a propane torch, on the joint. Test the temperature with the end of the solder line at the joint. When it's up to temp, it will suck the solder in between the pipe and the fitting. Run the solder line completely around the joint seam.

 

6. Have a wet damp cloth at hand. After you've sweated the joint, wipe it with the wet cloth to remove any excess solder.

 

Boss Water Softners are pretty easy to install. Do a google on them. Their Web site has an installation manual that you can download.

[gave20]

If you have city water and just want the hardness reduced a tankless would be the easiest install. If you don't, I have and installed the GE model from Home Depot, it was a piece of cake.

[jwhjr]

The water softner has to be installed where the water supply enters the house. If that's near the water heater, you can install it there, if not, you won't be able to. In my case, the water heater is in one corner of the basement, and the water supply comes into the house at the other end of the house. You will need to add a power supply line if one is not where you need it. It's probably ok to tap off an existing outlet, but you'll need to determine the amp draw on the circuit to be safe. Also, if this is in a basement, you'll most likely need to encase the electrical line in metal conduit to be within code. You will also have to have a drain nearby for the flush to drain in to. You'll need a bypass valve installed. Some units come with a bypass valve, some don't. You may want to consider the outside faucets as well. We have ours setup so I can flip a valve and use softened water if I was the car or truck; or flip the valve the other way to water flowers and trees.

 

If you've never sweated copper pipe, here's a few tips.

 

1. Make sure the copper is clean, both the outside of the pipe and the inside of the fitting. I use sandpaper or emery cloth to rough it up a bit and get rid of any oxidation.

 

2. Use flux paste on both parts that you want to sweat.

 

3. Use lead free solder.

 

4. Make sure there's not one drop of water in the line when you attempt to sweat the pipes. Any water will keep the temperature too low to allow a good solder joint.

 

5. Apply heat with a propane torch, on the joint. Test the temperature with the end of the solder line at the joint. When it's up to temp, it will suck the solder in between the pipe and the fitting. Run the solder line completely around the joint seam.

 

6. Have a wet damp cloth at hand. After you've sweated the joint, wipe it with the wet cloth to remove any excess solder.

 

Boss Water Softners are pretty easy to install. Do a google on them. Their Web site has an installation manual that you can download.

 

The only thing I would add to this is to use Mapp gas for the torch vs. propane as it heats it faster.

[planedr]

If there is water in the pipes you can stuff ordinary bread in the pipe(make sure you stuff it tight, use a screwdriver), and after you get the pipes soldered, the bread will disolve after you turn the supply back on.