When you purchase a water softener, the price might include installation. If not, learning how to install it yourself can save you hundreds or thousands of dollars. This guide provides clear, detailed instructions to help you install your water softener system on your own. It walks you through the entire setup process, from selecting a suitable installation location to verifying the unit works as intended.
Preparing to Install Your Water Softener
Proper preparation is key when installing your water softener system. Complete the following tasks in advance for a quick and easy installation.
Test your water hardness.
Before installing your water softener, test the hardness in your water supply. An accurate measure of the water’s mineral content can help you determine the ideal settings for the unit. It can also help you select the correct size water softener for your home.
The most common ways to check your water’s hardness include:
- Obtaining a water quality report from your local water provider
- Purchasing an at-home water hardness testing kit from a hardware store or online retailer
- Sending a water sample to an independent laboratory for detailed analysis
Learn how to test for hard water and how to interpret a water quality report.
Choose a suitable water softener installation location.
Install the water softener near the point where the main water line enters the house. Choose a location after the main water shutoff valve and before the water heater. This configuration ensures that all incoming water is treated to reduce scale buildup in the heater. Also, avoid placing the softener after any outdoor faucets or irrigation lines. The sodium in softened water can be harmful to plants, gardens, and lawns.
The unit can be installed in any location with access to the home’s water main. The basement can be a preferred choice if you have one. Outdoor installation is also an option in warmer climates, provided that:
- The system is kept out of direct sunlight
- It is protected from animals and water
- The temperature at the location stays between 35°F and 100°F throughout the year
At your chosen installation site, place the unit on a clean, level surface near a grounded 120-240V power source and within 30 feet of a drain to facilitate wastewater removal.
Assemble the required tools and supplies.
Finally, gather all the tools and materials necessary for installing the water softener. These tools and supplies may differ based on the unit’s model and your home’s plumbing, but they typically include the following items:
Tools/Equipment
- Adjustable wrench
- Channellock pliers
- Tape measure
- PEX pipe cutter/hacksaw
- Screwdrivers
- Small bucket and towel
- Plumber’s tape (for threaded fittings)
- Sandpaper or emery cloth
Materials/Supplies
- Water softener salt (or potassium chloride)
- Flexible supply tubes
- 1/2-inch diameter flexible drain tubing
- Plumbing pipe fittings (as needed)
Optional:
- PEX tubing, crimper, and rings
- Air gap fitting
- Propane torch (for soldering)
- Copper wire and ground clamps (if copper pipes are present)
Take inventory of what tools and materials you already have and what you will need to rent, borrow, or purchase. Also, check that you have all the items that came in the box. These often include fittings, hose clamps, clips, tubing, and other hardware and accessories. If not, you can purchase them separately.
How to Install a Soft Water System
Now that you have tested your water hardness, selected a suitable location, and gathered the required tools and supplies, it is time to install your water softener. Read and follow each step carefully for a seamless installation.
1.Shut off the water supply.
First, locate the main water shutoff valve. To find it, check the basement, crawlspace, utility room, or near the water heater or laundry room. It may also be located outside on a wall in a utility area or in an underground panel in the yard. Once found, turn the valve clockwise to cut off the water supply to the house. Open a nearby faucet to check that the water is off. If no water flows out, proceed to the next step.
2.Drain the water supply lines.
With the water supply off, open the lowest faucets in your home to drain remaining water from the plumbing system. Doing so also releases water pressure within the lines and keeps your work area dry during the installation process. Close the faucets again once the water flow stops.
3.Turn off the water heater.
Turn the power off to your water heater to avoid damage to the element in the tank. If you have an electric water heater, locate the circuit breaker labeled for the unit in your home’s electrical panel. Flip the switch to the “off” position, then check that there are no indicator lights or sounds from the heater to confirm that the unit is off. For a gas water heater, find the gas supply valve near the bottom of the heater. Turn the valve clockwise to close it and shut off the gas. Set the heater’s thermostat to the “pilot” or “off” position as an extra precaution.
4.Install the bypass valve.
Check if your water softener has a bypass valve. Many modern water softener systems have one built in that lets you shut off water to the softener without cutting off the supply to the rest of the house. If your water softener does not have a bypass valve pre-installed, consider purchasing one and connecting it to the unit, if needed. To install the bypass valve, insert it into the inlet and outlet ports on the unit and secure it in place with the provided clips or fasteners.
5.Cut into the main water line.
Identify the main water line and mark the spot where the softener will connect. For copper piping, use a pipe cutter or hacksaw to cut out a small section at the marked point. If you have PEX (cross-linked polyethylene) tubing, use a PEX cutting tool. Place a small bucket under the area to catch any remaining water leaking from the pipes, and a towel to wipe up residual moisture. Use sandpaper or an emery cloth to smooth out any rough edges on the pipe.
6.Connect the flex tubes to the water supply line.
Attach plumbing adapters to each cut end of the main supply pipe. Ensure the adapters are compatible with the material of your pipe and the flexible connector hoses. With traditional copper pipes, you may need to solder the adapters onto the line or use push-fit adapters. Next, connect the flexible supply tubes to the adapters, then run the opposite ends of the flex tubes back to the water softener.
7.Attach the flex tubes to the water softener.
To tie the water softener into the water supply, attach the flex tube on the water supply line section to the softener’s inlet port, and connect the tube on the house-side pipe to the outlet port. Double-check your pipe connections to ensure the flow direction is correct. Tighten the fittings snugly with an adjustable wrench or Channel-lock pliers. Be careful not to over-tighten them to avoid stripping the threads.
8.Connect and prepare the brine tank.
If your water softener has two separate tanks—a brine tank that holds the salt solution and a mineral tank— locate the tubing included with the system. Connect the tubing from the brine tank to the designated port on the mineral tank. Secure both ends with hose clamps or compression fittings, as provided. Verify the tubing is not kinked or pinched and sits securely between the two tanks. If your unit includes a locking clip at the brine tank connection, install it as specified in the manual to prevent accidental disconnection.
9.Connect the drain tubing.
Water softeners typically require two drain tubes: a main drain line for wastewater removal and an overflow line to route water in case the brine tank overfills. Connect the main drain tube to the drain elbow on the control valve on the top of the main mineral tank. Attach the overflow drain hose to the drain elbow on the brine tank. Run both drain tubes to the designated drain location. This can be a floor drain, a standing drain, or a laundry/utility sink. Connect the drain hoses to an air gap fitting with a diameter of at least 1.5 inches, or anchor them to the drain.
Tip: Air gaps are often required by law in some states. These fittings prevent contaminated water from a sewer backup from flowing back into your softener or home’s water supply. If air gaps are mandated in your state or area, ensure that one is installed before connecting the drain hose to your home’s drain system.
10.Turn on the water supply.
Once all the drain tubes are securely in place, open the main shutoff valve about a quarter of the way to restore the water supply. Turn the valve slowly to avoid damage to the fittings from the sudden pressure. Open a cold water tap inside the house and let it run for a while to purge trapped air from the plumbing system. Fully open the valve once you can hear a steady stream without any hissing or coughing sounds at the outlet. Check for leaks around the installation site. If any are present, turn off the water supply and tighten the connections. Otherwise, turn your water heater back on and move on to the next step.
11.Start up the unit and program it.
With the water softener now successfully installed, plug its power cord into the grounded 120-240V outlet. Let the system boot up and follow the manufacturer’s instructions to configure the settings. If applicable, set the current time of day, the water’s hardness level, the number of household members, and how frequently the system regenerates. Lastly, fill the brine tank with salt (or potassium chloride) per the manufacturer’s guidelines.
Tip: Many water softeners are preset to regenerate only at night when water usage is low. If your household uses more water than average, select shorter regeneration intervals.
12.Run a regeneration cycle.
Perform a regeneration cycle on the water softener per the manufacturer’s instructions. This process typically takes 80 to 90 minutes to complete. During the cycle, check for leaks. When complete, check the water level in tanks to ensure they are within the correct specifications. If necessary, refer to the product manual for instructions on making adjustments or contact the manufacturer for further assistance.
Post-Installation Checks
After the first regeneration cycle, re-inspect the unit and the plumbing connections for leaks or moisture. If any are present, turn off the water supply and adjust the fittings as needed. Contact a plumber if the problem persists.
To verify the water softener is working correctly after installation, perform a second hard water test within a couple of hours and compare it to the previous reading. A lower hardness level means the unit is performing optimally. With ongoing use, soap suds should form more easily, clothes and laundry should feel softer, and there should be less scale and residue on fixtures and kitchenware. Depending on your water usage, the water hardness, and the size of your water softener, you may see a decrease in salt level every few months.
Tips for Maintaining Your Water Softener
Water softeners typically last 10 to 15 years. To keep yours running at its best for as long as possible, you must maintain it periodically. Maintaining a water softener often involves the following steps.
- Check the salt levels in the brine tank monthly and refill as needed. A general rule is to keep the brine tank at least one-quarter full of salt. Consult with your softener’s manual to determine the specific salt level.
- Clean the brine tank every six to 12 months. Use warm water and mild dish soap to remove salt buildup.
- Inspect the hoses and fittings at least twice a year for signs of corrosion or leaks.
- Replace the resin beads about every 10–15 years, depending on usage.
- Test your water hardness routinely to ensure the system is working efficiently.
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Installing a water softener requires patience and precision, but it is entirely doable with the right tools, plumbing experience, and clear, detailed instructions from the manufacturer. For DIYers, SpringWell’s top-rated whole-house water softeners come with a step-by-step installation manual and a video walkthrough to guide you through the entire installation process.
If you have questions about selecting, installing, or maintaining a water softener system from SpringWell, please call us at 800-589-5592 or schedule a free consultation
