How to Install or Replace a Water Softener

The electric transformer blew. The electric surge flowed back through the power lines. The computer in the water softener blew. The unit went into hysteria; running, shutting off, running, shutting off. We unplugged it and bypassed the unit. It was time to get a replacement.

This was not the first time we installed this particular model, so our plumbing lined up with the unit. If you are installing a new unit, check the height of your water line inlet and outlet pipes to see if they will line up with the inlet and outlet pipes on the new water softener. If they do not, either replumb them yourself, or hire a plumber to do this for you. Check with local codes to ensure you are follow proper procedures for your location. Be sure that the inlet and outlet pipes are on the correct sides of your softener unit, right or left. The pipes should protrude from the wall at least four inches. Push the softener in place to see if the pipes line up properly.

Read your water softener instruction manual to be sure you follow the manufacturer's procedures correctly.

Turn off your water supply. Use the compression fittings that come with your new unit, if these are available. Compression fittings are probably the easiest way to install the unit. Follow the directions. Be sure the threaded nut goes on each pipe first, then the metal washer (if this came with your unit) in the proper direction, then the compression ring in the proper direction. Seat the pipes into the unit firmly before screwing each threaded nut onto the unit. Tighten each nut by hand, and then turn one quarter turn with a pipe wrench. Do not over tighten the nuts or you will damage the fittings. Turn the water supply on.

Put the softener in the 'bypass' position, open a cold water faucet near the unit, and flush the water from the lines for two to three minutes. This will remove debris from the pipes.

Connect the overflow pipe to the softener unit and either drain it to the floor, or to a lower sewer. This is a gravity feed overflow, so must have the drain end lower than the softener unit.

Connect the drain line to the sewer securely to avoid flooding.

Fill the unit with the type of salt that is recommended by the manufacturer. Plug the unit in. Follow the directions for setting the unit.

That's it.

We decided to install a guaranteed surge protector to avoid having to install a replacement water softener in the future.