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 Water Softener Installation Procedures
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How to install or "hook up" a water softener: how to connect a water softener to building water piping, drain piping, & electrical power; where to locate the water softener. This article explains how to hook up a water softener or water conditioner. We describe the piping connections for water in and out of the water softener, water softener bypass valves for maintenance, and water softener drain hookups. This article series explains how water softeners and similar water conditioners work, types of water softeners, and the basics of what water softener controls are present and what they do, how water softeners should be installed, maintained, cleaned, and adjusted.
Green links show where you are. © Copyright 2013 InspectAPedia.com, All Rights Reserved. Author Daniel Friedman.
How Water Softeners or Water Conditioners are Hooked Up to Building Plumbing
Also see SOFTENER ADJUSTMENT & CONTROLS where we provide details about water softener setting and salt dose adjustments
It is conceptually simple to install and connect-up a water conditioner or water softener.
You need to find physical space where the resin or treatment tank and controls will fit, and where the salt or brine tank will fit. Usually these two pieces are separate (except in some older manually operated water softeners), but they are installed side-by-side.
Our photo of a water conditioner installation at left shows a Kinetico Mach Series water conditioner system installed in a Dutchess County New York home.
Where space is really tight, we sometimes see the larger brine tank installed somewhere else not right next to the water softener, but of course connected to it by its flexible plastic tubing.
Guide to Connecting A Water Softener Water Piping or Input and Output Water Lines
 Since it's usually preferable to treat all of the building water supply with a water conditioner (this helps protect pipes from mineral-clogging by hard water), the water conditioner is usually placed as close as possible to where water enters the building.
Most installers place the water softener near other water equipment in the building such as close to an indoor pump and water pressure tank, or where municipal water is supplied, close to where the water supply enters the building.
The water softener hookup layout sketch shown at left is from a 1989 Culligan System 19 or 23 Water Conditioner installation manual. Be sure to consult the specific manual for your own water softener brand and model for correct hookup details for your own equipment.
The water softener is piped "in line" on the main cold water pipe entering the structure so that incoming water is treated before passing on to the building water heater, and to hot and cold water distribution piping.
If other water treatment or water sterilizing or potability system is installed (such as a chlorinator or UV light), that equipment is best placed ahead of or before the water softener to help avoid the chances of unwanted bacterial growth in the water conditioner.
If a water filter is installed, we like that to also be ahead of all other water treatment in the building to help avoid debris clogging that interferes with proper operation of other water treatment equipment. For example, dirt or silt in a water supply can quickly coat the bulb in a UV light bacterial treatment device on a private water supply system.
Incoming water is connected to the "input" side of the water softener/water conditioner, and the conditioner's output side is connected to the building water supply piping feeding the building's plumbing fixtures.
For watering gardens and lawns the installer may provide a direct connection to that building water piping taken off before the water softener so that we don't waste water softener salt treating water being used to wash a car or water the lawn.
How & Where to Connect the Water Softener Drain Line
 Periodically, depending on the water hardness and the amount of water used, the water softener or water conditioner needs to clean itself of minerals accumulated as they were removed from the water supply, and to recharge the salt used in the softener's resin chamber where water is treated.
On an automatic water softener the regeneration and cleaning cycle for the water softener is controlled by a simple timer or clock, or on more sophisticated systems a computer chip may monitor the amount of water used and even the hardness of water leaving the system, deciding based on that data when a backwash-regeneration cycle is needed.
Shown at left is a chart indicating the water softener drain line length limitations in feet based on an installation in which the brine tank and water softener are installed together on the same building level. This specific chart is from a Culligan System 19/23 Water Conditioner installation manual. Be sure to check your own equipment's installation manual.
When the water softener goes through a regeneration cycle it will bypass the building water supply, often automatically, so that water stops passing through the equipment's treatment system pump water into the separate brine tank (salt tank) where it dissolves salt pump new salty water backwards through the resin tank or treatment tank where the process removes other minerals from the treatment tank, sending this product out through a (usually plastic) drain tube to a building drain.
Other water conditioner manufacturers such as Autotrol specify other drain line connection details
- The ideal water conditioner location is above (higher than) and not more than 20 feet from the drain. Use 1/2-inch plastic tubing between the water conditioner drain hookup on the equipment and the drain. The ideal location for a water conditioner (or softener) is also in an area protected from freezing, protected from mechanical damage (don't run into it when pulling a car into the garage), and at a location convenient for connection to building water supply piping and electrical hookups. Usually we locate the water conditioner as close as possible to the point of water entry into the building so that we protect as much of the building plumbing system as possible from mineral clogging.
- Increase the water softener drain line diameter from 1/2-inch to 3/4-inch diameter for runs of more than 20 feet in length and less than 40 feet.
- For elevated water conditioner drain lines, provided that incoming water pressure is at least 40 psi, you can elevate the drain up to six feet as long as the total drain line length is less than fifteen feet. You can elevate the water conditioner drain line another two feet for every 10 psi increase in water pressure. For example if your water pressure is always 50 psi or higher, the drain line for the water softener can be eight feet above the unit.
Watch out: Use a Siphon Trap: for elevated water conditioner drain lines emptying into a drain below the level of the control valve (that's where the drain line connects to the water softener), make a 7-inch loop in the plastic drain line such that the bottom of the drain line loop is level with the drain line connection point (at the water softener). The loop should provide an adequate anti-siphon trap. Without this detail, after a water softener regen cycle when the drain line is filled, the drain can continue to siphon-drain water out of the water softener.
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Warnings: Avoid These Water Conditioner Drain Connection Mistakes
- Connect your water conditioner drain line to a building drain or to a separate graywater drain feeding drywell, but do not simply spill water conditioner drainage onto the ground surface such as is shown in our photo (left).
Doing so violates plumbing and sanitary code in most jurisdictions (and invites basement or crawl space leakage too).
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- Watch out: be sure that the water softener drain connection is made following the manufacturer's instructions [usually including an air-gap rather than an air-tight/water-tight connection at the drain standpipe] so that you avoid a possibly unsanitary CROSS CONNECTIONS, PLUMBING.
Our photo of a cross connection (left) shows a water conditioner drain line (using a garden hose) connected to a sewer pipe - inviting sewage and bacteria to enter the building's water supply.
- Also, where the softener is emptying its drain product into an onsite private septic system and drainfield, the salts in the wastewater may shorten the drainfield life, so take a look at REDUCE IMPACT of SOFTENER on SEPTIC.
- Watch out also for crimped water softener drain line tubing. If you are using soft flexible tubing to connect your water conditioner to a drain line it's easy to crimp the line at a sharp bend or where it is stapled to a building support. A crimped water conditioner drain will interfere with proper backwash/regeneration cycling of your equipment.
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Watch out: Use an air gap: for elevated water conditioner drain lines that empty into an overhead sewer pipe or waste pipe you should use a sink-type trap for the connection (that is provide an air gap to avoid back-contamination of the equipment).
Watch out: Never connect the water softener drain line directly to a sewer drain (that is by an air-tight connection such as shown at left).
Doing so invites sewage and bacterial back-contamination into the building water supply system, especially if a sewer line backup occurs. See CROSS CONNECTIONS, PLUMBING. |
Connecting Water Softener Electrical Power
The water softener also needs to be plugged-in to an electrical outlet to power the equipment control. See Steps in Starting Up A New or Newly-Installed Water Softener for details.
Setting up the Water Softener & Setting Its Controls
You'll need to set the water conditioner's clock to the proper time (and day on some models) and you may need to set the water softener controls that determine the frequency of regeneration and the salt dose. See SOFTENER ADJUSTMENT & CONTROLS.
Steps in Starting Up A New or Newly-Installed Water Softener
The following advice is adapted from water softener installation manuals from Culligan and other water conditioner manufacturers.
For new water conditioners: The water conditioner start-up procedure here is appropriate when you are installing a new water conditioner system or a new water conditioner media tank.
Watch out: as Culligan's manuals point out about new water conditioners,
A sanitizing agent has been added to the conditioner tank [the media tank or resin tank] at the factory. This sanitizing agent must be flushed out before the unit is placed into service, by initiating a recharge cycle using the steps outlined below.
- Plug in the power cord: Check that the water conditioner timer or control is in the "service" position, then plug in the water conditioner's power cord to an electrical outlet.
You should use a grounded outlet that will accept a grounded electrical cord plug (a three-prong plug). If necessary you can use a three-prong to two-prong adapter to connect to a two-prong electrical receptacle, but be sure that that receptacle is itself grounded. In general, a three-prong to two-prong electrical outlet adapter includes a green metal tab with a hole in it that is used to make a proper connection to the electrical grounding system. The screw in the center of the cover plate for the electrical receptacle is removed and reinserted through the green tab so that the adapter is secured in place and a ground connection is made. We recommend that you ask your electrician to install a grounded, three-prong electrical receptacle in that location as soon as convenient.
- Set the water conditioner controls: set the timer to the correct time of day, time of recharge, recharge frequency, and set the "salt dose" or refill regulator to the proper number. See SOFTENER ADJUSTMENT & CONTROLS for details.
- Open the bypass valve: with the controls set for normal service, slowly open the water inlet valve or slowly open the bypass valve if it was in the closed or "bypass" position. On a Culligan water softener this means push slowly on the blue knob on the bypass valve to put the unit into service.
- Allow water to fill the resin tank.
- Perform a water softener regeneration cycle. On a typical Culligan model this may mean rotating the cam that carries the "salt dosage" dial 1/3 turn, or pushing a red "regen" button on the water conditioner timer.
Note: more detailed instructions in your water conditioner installation or user's manual may explain the need to move the salt dosage cam to start a regen cycle or to return the cam to a normal between-cycle position.
- Drain and refill the hot water tank? If hard, untreated water entered the building's hot water tank while the water softener was on bypass or turned off, then you should drain and refill the hot water tank.
Watch out:
Be sure that the water heater is turned off before and during drainage and refill.
List of Free Water Softener & Water Conditioner Installation Manuals
Watch out: because water softener and other water conditioner equipment models vary in features and functions, they also vary in their exact installation requirements. You should have or obtain the installation, operation, and maintenance manual for your own brand and model of water softener.
Most water softener owners manuals include detailed installation instructions and also a table of recommended settings. If you don't have an owner's manual call the manufacturer's tech service and give them the model number and ask for a manual as well as their setting advice.
- Aquasoft Pro Plus water softener manual with the 460i Controllers such as PES32M268-MP - web search 09/11/2010, original source: http://www.gewater.com/pdf/resdntl/manuals/1017948.pdf describing a General Electric GE-produced control.
- Autotrol Water Conditioning Control System, Installation, Operation, and Maintenance Manual. On this Autotrol water conditioner you can specify the time of regeneration (factory is set to 2:00 AM) to be sure it's running at a time when you are not using water in the building.
- "Commercial Water Softener Installation and Operating Instructions", IBC Filtration & Water Treatment Products (Australia) for commercial, industrial and residential application www.ibcwater.com.au (07) 3219 2233
- Culligan Estate 2 and 2M Water Conditioners [Manual] Use and Care Guide, web search 01/31/2011, original source, see Culligan Manuals for Obsolete Products below.
- Culligan System 19 and 23 Water Conditioners (Filament Wound Tank) Installation and Operating Instructions, as an example of installation details for a 1989 era water softener.
- Culligan Mark 10 Automatic Water Conditioner (Water Softener Models from 1995) Installation and Operating Instructions (covering models manufactured after 1995) (1-96) 01881948.pdf available from www.culligan.com
- Culligan Mark 59 and 512 Automatic Water Conditioners Manual, 1979, web search 01/31/2011, original source see Culligan Manuals for Obsolete Products below.
- Culligan Mark 89 and 812 Automatic Water Conditioners Use and Care Guide, web search 01/31/2011, original source: http://www.eculligan.com/support/mk89_owners_guide.PDF
- Culligan Mark 100 Water Softener Owner's Guide, 1994-1998
- Culligan Manuals for Obsolete Products: see http://www.culligan.com/en/service-and-maintenance/customer-support/owners-guide/obsolete-manuals/
- "Non electric water softener,
Installation and Operating Instructions", IBC Filtration & Water Treatment Products (Australia), op.cit.
- "Water Softener Twin Tank Installation and Operating Instructions", IBC Filtration & Water Treatment Products (Australia), op.cit.
- Water Softener with Microprocessor: Installation & Operating Instructions, IBC Filtration & Water Treatment Products (Australia), op.cit., web search 01/31/2011, original source: http://www.ibcwater.com.au/zone_files/PDF/as0922mp-cl.pdf
- Contact information for water softener or water conditioner manufacturers is at Technical Reviewers & References
- CONTACT us to suggest additional water conditioner manuals & installation guides
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About How to Install a Water Softener or Water Conditioner
Question: Where to obtain WTF 480 or WTF 15ANX water softener manuals
Do you have any manuals on WTF 480 or WTF 15ANX water softeners? - Laura Tapp 6/12/11
Reply:
Laura, the WTF series are produced and distributed by Water Tender, 6201 South Hanover Rd., Elkridge MD 21075-5651, Tel: 410-796-7700; also Water Tender, 23204 Airpark Dr., Petersburg VA 23803, Tel: 804-732-7000. You can contact them for installation and service manuals.
Also if you scroll down to the references at the bottom of this article, at "Water Tender" you'll see a link to free online information describing various Water Tender equipment models.
Question: Autotrol 255 valve/ 400 series control water conditioner - water keeps flowing out of the hose
I have a Autotrol 255 valve/ 400 series control water conditioner, water flows out of hose non stop. We have tried regeneration several time but this doesn't shut off water. - Deloras 2/8/12
Reply:
Deloras, your water conditioner sounds like it's stuck in regen mode. See the diagnostics at DIAGNOSE SOFTENER BACKUP / FLOODING for help in repairing this problem.
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Technical Reviewers & References
Related Topics, found near the top of this page suggest articles closely related to this one.
- [1] A.I. McDermott Co., Inc. produces the AquaSoft series of water softeners including the AquaSoft Pro-Plus 460-series water softeners Pro 255, Pro Performa 400, Pro 460i, Logix, and CL softeners. Here is an example water softener manual for the Aquasoft Pro Plus water softener with the 460i Controllers such as PES32M268-MP - web search 09/11/2010, original source: http://www.gewater.com/pdf/resdntl/manuals/1017948.pdf describing a General Electric GE-produced control.
- [2] Autotrol Series 255 Valve / 460i Water Conditioning Control System, Installation, Operation, and Maintenance Manual, web search 09/01/2010 original source: http://www.qualitywatertreatment.com/PDF/Autotrol%20255-460i_Manual.pdf
- [3 Aquatell (Nelsen Corporation) produces Autotrol Water Conditioners. Email: sales@aquatell.com Tel: Toll Free 1-866-966-9951 Website: Toll Free 1-866-966-9951 Website: http://www.aquatell.com/
- [4] "Commercial Water Softener Installation and Operating Instructions", IBC Filtration & Water Treatment Products (Australia) for commercial, industrial and residential application www.ibcwater.com.au (07) 3219 2233
- [5] Culligan System 19 and 23 Water Conditioners (Filament Wound Tank) Installation and Operating Instructions, Cat. No. 00-8816-57 (Printed 6/89), Culligan International Company, One Culligan Parkway, Northbrook IL. 60062, San Bernadino CA 92402, Culligan NV/Brussels, Belgium, Culligan Italiana SpA/Bologna, Italy, Culligan of Canada, Ltd., Mississauga, Ontario, Canada L5K 1A5
- [6] Culligan Mark 10 Automatic Water Conditioner (Water Softener Models from 1995) Installation and Operating Instructions (covering models manufactured after 1995) (1-96) 01881948.pdf available from www.culligan.com (covering models manufactured after 1995)
- [7] Culligan Mark 100 Water Softener Owner's Guide, 1994-1998, 8/96, web search 01/31/2011, original source Culligan International Co., http://www.culligan.com/uploadedFiles/Service_and_Maintenance
/Customer_Support/Owners_Guides/Water_Softener_Owner_Guides/
Culligan%20Mark%20100%20Softener%201994-1998%2001881899%20%288-96%29.pdf
- [8] "Non electric water softener,
Installation and Operating Instructions", IBC Filtration & Water Treatment Products (Australia), op.cit.
- [9] North Dakota Standards for Water Softeners, North Dakota General Authority Law, Chapter 62-04-08, Water Softener Units http://www.legis.nd.gov/information/acdata/pdf/62-04-08.pdf. "The objective of this chapter is to provide a standard of quality, capacity,
and performance for water softener units. Water softener performance
is to be based upon referee tests procedures described in section
62-04-08-09."
- [10] Water Hardness Table used in this article series originated with but was edited and added to from http://www.bestfish.com/tips/110598.html and also from http://www.water-research.net/hardness.htm
- [10] "Water Softener Twin Tank Installation and Operating Instructions", IBC Filtration & Water Treatment Products (Australia), op.cit.
- [12] Water Softeners, CMHC, Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation, cmhc-schl.gc.ca/en/co/maho/wawa/wawa_005.cfm - October 2008. Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation acknowledges the contribution of Health Canada to the development of this document. For further questions regarding water treatment and water quality, contact Health Canada at watereau@hc-sc.gc.ca or call 613-957-2991 or 1-866-225-0709.
- [13] Water Softener with Microprocessor: Installation & Operating Instructions, IBC Filtration & Water Treatment Products (Australia), IBC Water, Ltd., 18 Dividend Street, Mansfield Qld 4122, Postal Address:
PO Box 2247, Mansfield BC, Qld 4122 Australia, Tel: Sales/Service: 1-300-166-253; Tel: (07) 3347 1600 Int. +61 7 3347 1600, Facsimile: (07) 3219 2266 Int. +61 7 3219 2266,
Email: sales@ibcwater.com.au , web search 01/31/2011, original source: http://www.ibcwater.com.au/zone_files/PDF/as0922mp-cl.pdf
- [14] Water Tender, WTR and WTFDR series water treatment equipment and water softener manuals. Water Tender, 6201 South Hanover Rd., Elkridge MD 21075-5651, Tel: 410-796-7700; also Water Tender, 23204 Airpark Dr., Petersburg VA 23803, Tel: 804-732-7000
- [15] Watts Industries of North Andover, Mass., provides its ZRO-4 under counter system intended to target the independent water dealer market.
- [16] Thanks to reader Walter Schwartz
for discussing water softener salt dose settings - September 2010
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