Q&A for How to Install a Water Softener

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Question

How can I drain softener without going through the septic tank?

Community Answer

Your septic tank takes all the drain water. Why do you not want it going to the septic tank?

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Question

Does the water softener need to be close to the water heater?

Community Answer

No, but usually they are close anyways since the appliances are normally in a closet where all these things are installed. Otherwise, it would not change operation to have it elsewhere.

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Question

What if I don't have a drain? Are there any other options?

WECO Sales Team

Community Answer

Collected calcium, iron and magnesium ions (hardness ions) in the bed need to be flushed out. This is done by sending water at a high flow rate though the bed in reverse direction of normal water flow. So to answer your question, all water softeners must have a drain that backwashes the softener bed periodically. If you just need particulate contaminants removed from water, you can go with a big blue cartridge filter instead of a softener and avoid the need for a drain.

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Question

Can I use my water heater as a supply line?

Community Answer

Best not to; it should go through softener first to prevent calcification and degradation of heater.

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Question

How often does the water softener cycle?

Community Answer

That depends on the hardness of your water and the rated capacity of your softener.

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Question

What is water softener backwash?

Community Answer

Backwash usually refers to the cleaning cycle of the water softener. This is when the water is being circulated in the reverse to clean out any debris.

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Question

Can I put water softener right into my well (salt type softener)?

Community Answer

No! The water is softened by running through the resin bed of the water softener tank. The brine tank, which the salts are added to, is used to regenerate the ion exchange resin bed. The salt is not added to the water to soften it.

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Question

Can I put salt water softener directly into my well?

Community Answer

NO! The salt is to reclaim the resin beads inside of the softener tank. The salt breaks the calcium chloride (the stuff in the well water) from the plastic resin beads inside of the tank.

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Question

If I put a water softener outside next to your house, do I need to enclose it in a cabinet, or can it be exposed to the elements?

Community Answer

You should put the softener inside the house because in the cold weather the water will freeze.

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Question

How do I set the timer to work during the night on my water softener?

Community Answer

Most softeners regen at 2:00 AM on the days they regen. You just need to make sure the clock is set correctly so that the softener knows when 2:00 AM is. See your owners manual for the time it regens.

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