If you're sold on the benefits of having a water softener, the next step is to look into having one installed. You can buy a softener from a home improvement store or a water softening company, like Complete Water. If you buy from a water softening company, the company can install the softener for you. You may even want to rent rather than buy the equipment so the company is responsible for maintenance, too. Here's a look at having a new water softener installed.

Learn If You Need A Permit

One thing you should do is check with your city to see if a permit is required to install a water softener. This is often necessary since hooking up the softener involves work on plumbing lines. A permit involves an inspection after, and this is a good reason to let a professional install your softener. Even if you buy the unit from a home improvement store, you can still hire a plumber or other professional to install it according to code so that it passes the city inspection.

Decide Where To Put The Softener

You might need help choosing the right place for your water softener. It should be protected from the weather, so placing it inside your house or garage is the best choice. The softener needs to be near the water main when it first enters your home so water throughout your entire house is treated. However, you'll want it out of sight, so the basement or garage could be the right location. A softener is usually placed before the water heater so hot water doesn't affect the softener. Placing it near your other equipment is a good option as long as there is plenty of space.

Another consideration is proximity to hookups. A water softener needs to connect to plumbing pipes and electricity. If you don't place the unit near an outlet or water pipes, then you'll face additional expenses with the installation. Also, remember that you'll need to service the softener regularly by adding salt, so it needs to be in a place that's easy for you to access.

Install The Softener

Water softener installation involves hooking the softener up to the water main of your home and connecting the softener to a drain. When the softener goes through a regeneration cycle, water drains from the tank, so a drain connection is essential. If a floor drain isn't available near the softener, the plumber might connect the unit to a laundry sink instead.

The plumber may need to cut into a water pipe to connect the softener and then add a shut-off valve. The plumber can connect the softener to the main water line to treat both hot and cold water, or just to the hot water line before it goes into the water heater so the water you drink and use for cooking isn't treated.

Once the water softener is installed, it's filled with salt and checked for proper operation. Your new softener should last for several years, but you'll have to maintain it properly and replace the salt regularly. Be sure you understand how to care for the softener once it's installed so you can enjoy the benefits of soft water in your home for years to come.

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