How To Install a Whole-House Water Softener

Water hardness issues can damage your plumbing fixtures, appliances, and even your skin and hair. Identifying if you have soft water or hard water in your home can help you decide how to treat these issues. For hard water, installing a whole-house water softener solves these issues. In the video above, Ask This Old House plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey installs a water softener in a New Jersey home where hard water has caused significant problems.

What Is Hard Water?

Hard water contains high levels of dissolved minerals like calcium and magnesium. While these aren’t harmful to your health, they can cause various problems in your home.

Signs of Hard Water

Recognizing the signs of hard water early can help you address the problem before it escalates. Here are a few signs to look out for:

• Soap scum and mineral buildup on fixtures and appliances
• Dry, itchy skin and dull hair after showering
• Spotty dishes and glassware after washing
• Reduced efficiency of water heaters and other appliances

These indicate that your water is high in mineral content, which affects the appearance of fixtures and the effectiveness of soaps and detergents.

How Water Softeners Work

Water softeners use a process called ion exchange to remove hard water minerals, making your water suitable for all household uses. The system has two main components:

• Resin tank: Contains small resin beads that attract and hold onto hard water minerals.
• Salt tank: Stores salt or potassium chloride used to regenerate the resin beads. This helps maintain your water softener, but it won’t make your water salty.

As hard water flows through the resin tank, the minerals are exchanged for non-hard ions (typically sodium). The softened water then flows to your home’s plumbing system.

Benefits of a Whole-House Water Softener

A high-quality water softener has numerous benefits for your home and family, including the following:

• Reduced scale buildup in pipes and appliances, which prevents damage and extends their lifespan.
• Energy savings from more efficient water heaters and other water-using appliances.
• Softer skin and hair after bathing.
• Cleaner and brighter laundry.
• Longer-lasting plumbing fixtures and appliances, which saves you money on repairs and replacements.
• Reduced soap and detergent usage, which saves you money and lessens your environmental impact.

Preparing for Water Softener Installation

Whether you’re hiring a professional or doing it yourself, make sure you prepare properly for your water softener installation.

Choosing the Right Location

Select a location for your water softener that will make it both effective and convenient. It should be:

• On a level surface
• Close to the main water line entering your home
• Near a drain for the system’s wastewater
• Protected from freezing temperatures
• Accessible for maintenance

Tools and Materials Needed

We recommend hiring a professional for this job. But if you’re taking on the project yourself, have these tools and materials on hand:

• Air gap fitting
• Compress fittings
• Copper pipe
• Hose clamps
• Pipe wrenches
• Plastic tubing
• Salt for the brine tank
• Soldering torch and supplies
• Teflon tape
• Tubing cutter
• Valves (if needed)

Water Softener Installation

Installing a water softener requires some plumbing knowledge and skills, and we suggest hiring a plumber if you’re unfamiliar with the process. Here’s an overview of the installation steps:

1. Turn off the water at the meter.
2. Use a tubing cutter to tap into the existing cold water pipe.
3. Solder an assembly of copper pipe and three valves to connect the water softener’s resin tank to the cold water pipe.
4. Run a length of 3/8-inch-diameter plastic tubing from the resin tank to the salt tank. Connect each end of the tubing with compress fittings.
5. Use a hose clamp to attach the drain line to the drain elbow on the resin tank.
6. Install an air gap fitting to the drain that leads to the sewer pipe.
7. Attach the water softener’s discharge hose to the air gap fitting with a hose clamp.
8. Hook the discharge hose from the washing machine onto the air gap fitting.
9. Fill the salt tank with salt.
10. Turn the water back on.

Water Softener Programming and Maintenance

Proper programming and regular maintenance will help keep your water softener running efficiently. Here are some tips.

Initial Setup

Follow the manufacturer’s instructions to program the control valve. Key steps include the following:

• Setting the water hardness level based on your water test results.
• Adjusting the regeneration frequency to match your household’s water usage.

Ongoing Maintenance

Continuous maintenance helps keep your water softener in top condition. Here are some best practices to avoid needing water softener repairs:

• Check salt levels in the brine tank monthly and refill as needed (typically twice a year).
• Clean the brine tank annually to prevent salt bridging and buildup.
• Test your water hardness periodically to verify that the system is working correctly.
• Replace the resin beads every 10–15 years.

Water Softener System: Potential Drawbacks and Considerations

While water softeners offer many advantages, there are some factors to consider before making a purchase:

• Initial cost of purchase and installation: A professional water softener system can cost thousands of dollars. According to Angi, the average price is $1,500, but it can range from $200 to $6,000.
• Ongoing expenses for salt and maintenance: Water softeners typically require regular maintenance, including replenishing salt or potassium, which can add up. The system may also need periodic service, adding to long-term costs.
• Increased sodium content in softened water: Water softeners use sodium to replace calcium and magnesium ions in the water. This can increase the sodium content of the water, which may be a concern for those on low-sodium diets or with certain health conditions like hypertension. Some systems use potassium instead of sodium, which can be a better alternative but also more expensive.

In some areas, water softener discharge also raises environmental concerns. If you’re unsure about regulations in your area, talk to a local plumber.