If your water softener has two separate tanks that stand apart, connect the brine tank and the mineral tank with the tubing included with the water softener. Squeeze the tongs with one hand and pull the pipe with the other. Filing the water supply system needs to be done slowly, since sudden pressure can damage fittings. It can cause a wide range of problems in your home, like affecting the taste of drinking and cooking water, staining toilet bowls and sinks and damaging appliances like washing machines and hot water tanks. To avoid this, have the anode rod regularly inspected and replaced when necessary. Eliminating the cost of labor means that the price largely depends on the capabilities of your water softening unit, which is measured in grains. Richard Epstein is a licensed master plumber with over 40 years experience in residential and commercial plumbing. Plug the unit into the nearest electrical outlet and turn on the control module. As well, some local authorities may require a permit, licensed plumber and inspection before larger installations. Make sure the supply-side pipe is connected to the inlet port on the water softener; the house-side pipe to the outlet port. First, we provide paid placements to advertisers to present their offers. for pricing and availability. Youre seeing this ad based on the products relevance to your search query. Discover more about the small businesses partnering with Amazon and Amazons commitment to empowering them. With traditional copper water pipes, the adapter fittings are usually soldered on, or you can use push-fit fittings that dont require soldering. Follow the startup procedure on the screen, which will often involve setting the time and desired water hardness level. How-to videos on how to install SharkBite products step-by-step. Smaller, traditional models are more affordable. The compensation we receive from advertisers does not influence the recommendations or advice our editorial team provides in our articles or otherwise impact any of the editorial content on Forbes Home. Next, ensure that the area youll be installing the unit is large enough to accommodate both of the softeners tanks. Determining what size pipes you need for your particular project can be a challenge. Water softener drain line routing: Keep the water softener drain piping as short and low as possible: less than 30 feet in length and no more than 8 feet above the floor level. No, professional plumbers do not typically use SharkBite fittings because they charge you the same amount if they install with a different type of fitting. But, as capacity increases so does the price. Multiply this number by the number of people in your household to get how much water your household uses. Its always a good idea to confirm with your township to see what is required before installing a system. Yes, you can install a water softener even if you have limited DIY experience. There are also DIY test kits available, similar to those used to test swimming pool water. Stainless steel corrugated connectors can be used as an alternative to hard piping. Measure the Inside Diameter (ID) of your pipe or fitting using a ruler or tape measure. While you may know you need a water softener after testing your waters hardness, the thought of installing a water softener can be daunting. To install the drain line, connect the units drain valve to the drain hose, and attach flexible tubing to the brine tank and control valve. Neglecting the heater can eventually lead to replacing the system entirely. Labor rates to install a water softener system can be as low as $150 for a simple installation of a basic system. If youre not particularly handy and you cant get your head around the installation process, we would advise considering hiring a licensed plumber to avoid costly mistakes. Check whether you need an air gap. Check for leaks during the backwash cycle. Another factor that may affect the final price of your DIY water softener project is the ease of installation. Open a cold water tap somewhere in the house to allow air to escape as you refill the pipes. If you have an electric water softener, plug the unit into a GFI outlet. Before you install a water softener, you need to have the right tools and materials for the job. SharkBite also offers flexible water heater connectors with ball valves to provide a shut-off on the supply side of the water heater. All water softeners make use of two tanks: a mineral tank (sometimes called a resin tank) which contains plastic resin beads that capture hard minerals through an ion-attraction process, and a brine tank containing salt or potassium chloride solution that periodically pumps water through the mineral tank to wash and regenerate the plastic resin beads. Before installing a water softener, make sure that you truly need one, and weigh the possible negatives. You can do this by following these conversion steps and referencing the conversion chart below: Now that you are familiar with what pipe size, OD, ID, and nominal pipe diameter means, you can use the table below in order to determine the correct corresponding SharkBite fitting size for your project. Generally: Your water softener should come with all the basic components, including a brine tank, a control valve, and a mineral tank pre-loaded with resin. In other regions, especially those that draw water from wells, the hardness may be high enough that all homes will benefit from softened water. Quote from Youtube video: I'm going to be using sharkbite fittings with this adapter this in fits into the PVC. For the first stage, when the pipe or tube is inserted into the fitting, it passes through a release collar and then a grab ring made of stainless steel. How do I connect my water softener to the main line? System you need to maintain an air gap. Expect to pay between $150 and $1,000 on labor costs to install a water softener in your home. The SharkBites advanced push-fit connection system works in two stages. The main difference between CPVC and PVC is the range of temperatures each is capable of withstanding. Attach them to an air gap fitting if you are using one, or anchor them securely to a utility sink or floor drain. Salt-free systems work similarly to ion exchange systems, except they use potassium instead of sodium. The installation took only seconds and is leak free. This project requires more than just basic DIY knowledge. Step 1: Preparation First, switch off your water supply. and the life of your softener The drain line will need to drain into a drain, which should be a minimum of 1 1/2 size and ideally, should be below the top of the head of your softener. Before beginning installation, you'll need to select a location for the unit. Heres a diagram for all you visual learners out there! For homes with accessible plumbing, installing a water softener isnt hard its just a lengthy, fiddly process. Check whether you need to buy the following: Youll also, of course, need a water softener. To connect the water heater using flexible supply tubes, first shut off the water to your home and drain the pipes. Lets look at how to install a water softener at your main supply line. Drain the water out of your homes water lines by opening a sink faucet until water stops flowing. SharkBite PEX fittings make it easy to transition between pipe types during repairs. In our example, the owner has installed a dedicated drain pipe with a trap, into which they have run the two drain tubes for the water softener. Water Softener Standard Install Adaptor Kit - Part # 7280203. All Rights Reserved. While the backwash cycle is running, inspect all the plumbing lines and connections for leaks. Water softeners should be installed at your homes main water supply pipe, upstream of your water heater, as close to a homes point of entry as possible. Locate the overflow valve and attach the hose, securing it in place with a clamp. The final step is to add the salt (or potassium chloride) and start the system. A slight separation between the drain tubes and the drain pipe provides the required air gap. The information and savings numbers depicted above are for demonstration purposes only, and your results may vary. Repeat on the hot water outlet side. Next, fill the brine tank and program the units settings. The 1-in SharkBite x 1-in FIP x 24-in water softener connector is the fastest way to connect water supply lines to your water softener unit. Because the chemical method by which a water softener removes minerals from water can be a little difficult to understand, it's easy to imagine that installing a water softener is quite complicated. The field-proven design of SharkBite water heater connectors and hoses is streamlined, secure and versatile enough to match all your installation requirements. The compensation we receive for those placements affects how and where advertisers offers appear on the site. Watch how to use SharkBite slip fittings to repair leaking CPVC or copper pipes. The connector makes for quick and easy installation and rated for 200 psi and 200F. Some cities and regions have more minerals in the water than others. Fitting sizes can be equally confusing as the inside diameters need to be large enough to fit the copper pipes outside diameter. The drain line must be of adequate diameter to handle the water conditioners backwash flow rate. The second option is to hire a licensed plumber. Please check back soon. If your salt-based water softener uses a brine tank overflow grommet, install this first. Outdoor installations require a little more forethought. Quote from the video: If there are no leaks, allow a couple of minutes for trapped air to be released. However, adhesives can smell awful and be a very messy undertaking. Aaron Stickley is a licensed plumber with 15 years of experience in commercial, new residential plumbing, and residential service and repair. Quote from Youtube video: So you lay your pipe into this you mark the bottom of the clip. As a general rule, its best to place a water softener at the earliest possible point in your home plumbing system. Next, follow the start-up steps for your water softener, which will include plugging in the appliance, then setting the time of day and the water hardness level. How do you go from SharkBite to PVC pipe? These systems work by boiling water and catching the vapor. Next, attach the inlet and outlet ports to your water softeners inlet and outlet. A water softener can actually shorten the life of your water heater, which typically lasts eight to 12 years. Finding a reliable Plumber in your state doesn't have to be a hassle. But, more comprehensive systems usually cost between $1,000 and $11,000. If you follow the charts above, you will select the correct SharkBite Fitting size for your pipes. If your clothing loses its brightness quickly, your fabrics don't feel soft, or you notice spots or stains on your dishes, shower doors, faucets and fixtures, then you may have a hard water problem. Its nearly impossible to improperly install the fitting. Along with household size, the capacity of the water softener system will affect the total cost. Simply unplug your old water softener and put it into bypass mode. Can I safely attach new fittings to an older PEX A line? Learn about proper product care and handling for the SharkBite EvoPEX system. And this lets you know exactly how far you should be pushing your pipe into the adapter. He started his own residential service and repair plumbing business. Using a ruler or tape measure, find the length between the mark you made and the tip of the string. When soldering copper, you should cut and preassemble the pipes and fittings before installing them onto the water softener, because the heat from the blow torch can damage the softeners plastic components. Then simply push the SharkBite Push-Fit end onto Copper, PEX or CPVC pipes and your Water Softener is connected. On. Just purchased your own water softener? Is it safe to unclog the kitchen sink while letting the dishwasher run? If the pre-plumbing for your water softener is conveniently located near the equipment itself, you can save time and money eliminating the need for additional plumbing. Two 1 NPT female connectors and enough tubing to connect from the water softener to your existing plumbing. On the other hand, if you have a general understanding of how to plumb a water softener, you can quickly identify the most effective location. If you notice water dripping from the pipe nipple connection, use your wrench to further tighten. To install a water softener, shut off your water supply, then cut into your water line and attach the bypass valve, inlet and outlet ports, drain line, and overflow connection. The power cord (transformer) needs to be plugged into a 110V continuous live outlet. The unit comes with a 10 foot power cord. CPVC can handle temperatures up to 200 Fahrenheit, while PVC peaks at 140 Fahrenheit. Complex installations may include working around hard-to-reach water mains, installing new pipes and maintaining a large water softener system. To replace an existing water softener, youll only need 1-2 hours. We make a connection at the softener. Top subscription boxes right to your door, 1996-2023, Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates. Why can I no longer turn the knob of my self-locking door from the inside? By wrapping the fittings with silicone tape, the tape will keep the fittings from being broken down. All Rights Reserved. Stainless Steel Braided Flexible Water Heater Connector with Ball Valve, Stainless Steel Braided Flexible Water Heater Connector, Stainless Steel Corrugated Flexible Water Heater Connector, Stainless Steel Corrugated Flexible Water Heater Connector with Ball Valve, How To: Install SharkBite Water Heater Connectors, How To: Calibrate the PEX Copper Crimp Tool, How To: Wrap SharkBite Fittings for Underground Installation. Watch your inbox for our simple home maintenance tips. Locate and close the shut-off valve to your homes main water supply. Most professional plumbers believe that SharkBite fittings and other kinds of push-fit fittings should only be used as an emergency, temporary fix, and not for any enclosed or permanent plumbing system. 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