InstallingWater Softner.
#1
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InstallingWater Softner.
Do I just cut the pipe and attach the connector, or should I clean the outside with emery paper first (and/or do something else)?
Thanks all!
Thanks all!
Last edited by ray2047; 04-07-13 at 01:43 PM.
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Probably an extremely silly question, but...
How can I figure out which side of this bypass is incoming and which side is outgoing? Thanks a ton!
#5
We couldn't tell that from the picture. Trace the plumbing back to the water meter and that will be the incoming side.
#7
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Sidebar question: are those water lines a safe distance from what looks like an electrical panel?
#9
Amateurplumber, can you site NEC code section for your statement? I don't see a problem. If the pipes break you have a much larger problem and rememeber pure water is not a good conductor.
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I can't state code because I wouldn't really even know where to start. Seems weird that they located them so close to each other, but I suppose unless something awful happened they wouldn't really mix. Unless the water started spraying willy nilly from the pipes heh.
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I have no idea what's going on with my piping.
Ordered and received my softener, asked my buddy to come be an extra hand while I hook it up (he knows a little bit more about plumbing than me since I don't really know much at all :P), and he tells me that this bypass (i'm actually going to cut off the the valves (they're not threaded) and use the pipes to connect to the included bypass) isn't set up to soften all my water, just a few select faucets. Taking a look at it, i realize that i (still) have no idea what this bypass is actually doing. Not sure if he's right, so I figured I'd ask here.
I tried to take some pictures and a video so people could see what I have going on and maybe help me. I really would like to do this myself, and know that, while I'm not nearly the most qualified person, i am capable of doing this, and want to do it, but until I figure this out I'm gonna be at a standstill. I may call a plumber to help me trace the lines, but would really hate to spend anymore money than I already have on this "project." If I go that route I'm going to be out a decent chunk of money and it'll take me a bit to save up for that. :/
Here is the album of pictures I took of the area: album. Here is a video: video.
If anyone could point me in the right direction, that would be amazing! Thanks in advance.
Edit: Err, maybe i should have waited before asking this...I guess i could just shut the valve off and see what it controls. I feel like a fool, lol.
I tried to take some pictures and a video so people could see what I have going on and maybe help me. I really would like to do this myself, and know that, while I'm not nearly the most qualified person, i am capable of doing this, and want to do it, but until I figure this out I'm gonna be at a standstill. I may call a plumber to help me trace the lines, but would really hate to spend anymore money than I already have on this "project." If I go that route I'm going to be out a decent chunk of money and it'll take me a bit to save up for that. :/
Here is the album of pictures I took of the area: album. Here is a video: video.
If anyone could point me in the right direction, that would be amazing! Thanks in advance.
Edit: Err, maybe i should have waited before asking this...I guess i could just shut the valve off and see what it controls. I feel like a fool, lol.
Last edited by amateurplumber; 04-06-13 at 09:27 PM.
#12
If you are attempting the installation of a water softener then you should be able to identify your plumbing lines. You will NOT call a plumber.
Take some time and follow the piping. Start at the water meter or well. Follow from the source to each location. You should know what each pipe going thru the floor connects to. You should see kitchen plumbing, maybe a bathroom, possible lines to the second floor, outside faucets. You should familiarize yourself with all the plumbing and know what each valve controls. You should identify hot and cold lines. It's not hard. Just be a Sherlock.
Those valves on the wall are a good idea in case the softener needs to be removed for service in the future. I would change them to ball valves.
As far as that white line....it looks like some kind of loop. I have no idea what it's supposed to be doing there.
Normally the water softener would not feed outside faucets. In some homes....the cold water side of the kitchen faucet is not on the softener either.
Typical ball valve below.
Take some time and follow the piping. Start at the water meter or well. Follow from the source to each location. You should know what each pipe going thru the floor connects to. You should see kitchen plumbing, maybe a bathroom, possible lines to the second floor, outside faucets. You should familiarize yourself with all the plumbing and know what each valve controls. You should identify hot and cold lines. It's not hard. Just be a Sherlock.
Those valves on the wall are a good idea in case the softener needs to be removed for service in the future. I would change them to ball valves.
As far as that white line....it looks like some kind of loop. I have no idea what it's supposed to be doing there.
Normally the water softener would not feed outside faucets. In some homes....the cold water side of the kitchen faucet is not on the softener either.
Typical ball valve below.
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Thanks PJ!
I just cant understand what this bypass is actually doing! I figured i'd just put it in using those lines that are already dropped down, and use an external bypass and then eventually solder in some ball valves like you suggested.
So I closed the middle valve, and tested a bunch of faucets. Nothing seems to be happening. If closing that valve does stop water to those faucets, how long would it take to notice reduced/no flow? I thought it was pretty fast. Which means, this bypass isnt doing much at all lol.
I just cant understand what this bypass is actually doing! I figured i'd just put it in using those lines that are already dropped down, and use an external bypass and then eventually solder in some ball valves like you suggested.
So I closed the middle valve, and tested a bunch of faucets. Nothing seems to be happening. If closing that valve does stop water to those faucets, how long would it take to notice reduced/no flow? I thought it was pretty fast. Which means, this bypass isnt doing much at all lol.
#14
Amateurplumber so far I have merged three of your threads. Please don't start additional threads on the same subject. I may delete some of the remaining ones.. If I delete one you really need answers to please add the question to this thread. When you do multiple threads on the same subject it gets confusing.