A water conditioner helps to resolve common water quality problems. Hard water may cause spots on glasses, clothing that feels stiff, dry skin, and buildup on faucets. A water conditioner can help resolve these issues, but it takes more than installing the system.
First, there’s the matter of installation. The system needs to be properly sized based on your household’s water usage, plumbing, and water quality goals. An undersized system will struggle when water consumption peaks. The wrong choice also increases costs.
Evaluate the Water Before Choosing a System
Some water issues aren’t related to hardness. There may be sediment, chlorine, odor, staining, or other impurities (worth a skim of https://www.epa.gov/sdwa) to treat. You’ll want to evaluate the water quality to see if a water conditioner is appropriate and to get a sense of the type of system that’s best for your water quality needs. The water quality evaluation also provides information to the installer about the quality of the water supply and the ideal placement of the unit.
Consider whether you’ve noticed any of the following:
- Scale on faucets, shower doors, and appliances.
- Difficulty rinsing soap.
- Poor water pressure from scale build-up.
- Stiff clothing after laundering.
- Appliance maintenance issues.
If you’ve recently had your water quality evaluated, and hardness is the only issue, skip this step. Even so, check the plumbing and drainage configuration before installation starts.
Leave Enough Room for Service and Drainage
Most systems are installed at the main entry point, which delivers treated water to most of the home. The location must accommodate the tank, control valve, bypass, and any servicing requirements.
Systems with a regeneration cycle also require a drain. Make sure the drain line is properly plumbed to prevent backflow or drainage issues. Electrical access may be required for systems with electronic heads. Allow a six-inch clearance around the servicing connections. That will make routine inspection and servicing much easier in the future.
Sometimes the ideal spot is not the most convenient. A cramped utility corner might look tidy, but it makes a simple filter change or valve repair a difficult job.
Confirm the Setup and Controls
Installers typically disconnect the incoming water supply, connect the piping, and install a bypass valve so the system can be shut off for maintenance or repair. The practical side of Ionex Water LLC starts there. They then hook up the unit to the plumbing, drain line, and any required power supply.
The unit is programmed for the water quality, expected usage, and household water demands. The program determines when the system regenerates, the amount of salt to add, and the frequency of treatment. After installation, the installer checks for leaks, confirms water flow, and shows you the controls. You should know how to use the bypass, when and where to add treatment chemicals or salt, and what changes you may notice with the water.
Be prepared for a short period of water shutoff during installation, particularly if the water main shutoff valve is old or hard to turn. The technician will likely need to be able to get to the water heater, pressure tank, or a laundry hookup near the water heater to measure flow.
If you have a septic system, you should inquire about the anticipated discharge amount and timing of regeneration and confirm that your septic system can handle these. Homes with a private well should have a check of the pump output and pressure because treatment equipment requires adequate flow to function properly.
In the first week, note any change in pressure, frequent cycling, or continued bad odor or metallic taste. This information is helpful to determine whether an adjustment can be made early rather than after the system has been installed for several months.
Store your installation documentation, unit model number, and the original programming data somewhere easy to find. These items can be useful if anyone moves into or out of the house or you purchase a high-use appliance; a service person would need that information to re-calculate your needs and change the cycle accordingly.
Protect Plumbing and Plan for Maintenance
Conditioned water will minimize scale build-up in the pipes, faucets, water heater, dishwasher, and washing machine and other fixtures. That doesn’t mean any scale buildup that exists today will disappear. You may even need to clean some plumbing or appliances because old deposits have loosened and flushed through the system.
Depending on your needs, you may want some lines to continue to carry unconditioned water. For example, outdoor irrigation or a garden hose connection usually don’t require soft water.
Clear the Installation Area Before the Appointment
Ask the installer for a clear description of the equipment they plan to install, where they intend to place it, how they plan to route the drain line, maintenance requirements, and any alterations they plan to make to your plumbing. It helps to know what to expect before they start cutting pipes. Before the technician arrives, clear out the area around the main water line and tell them if you’re concerned about the drain or accessibility.