When you decide to get a water softener installation project underway for your home, you’ll get a lot of benefits. You should start noticing softer laundry, clearer glasses from the dishwasher, and better water for your showers. But the advantages of soft water won’t quite cut it if your water softener installation was done incorrectly. Avoid these common problems by getting your system hooked up the right way.

Water Softener Installation Problems

Silly mistakes with your water softener installation can end up wasting money and be difficult to fix down the road. Knowing how to spot problems will help you make sure you’re working with a professional who knows what they’re doing.

1. Get the position right.

Whether your softener unit has a one-tank system or two, you’ll have to make sure you have enough space to accommodate its setup. Usually this is near your water heater. It might sound hard to believe, but we’ve even come across water softeners that were installed backwards. Yikes, right? This becomes a real problem if you ever need repairs (not to mention filling your tank with salt). The inlet pipe needs to be connected to the water supply coming to your home. The outlet will run to the water heater.

2. Get good electrical work.

Along the same lines, you also need to confirm that your system is hooked up to permanent wiring. In other words, no extension cords! This might seem like a no-brainer, but you always want to verify that this mistake doesn’t happen for your water softener installation. When you don’t have an outlet available, you’ll need to contact a qualified electrician.

3. Watch your drain hose.

Creating an air gap with your drain hose will help protect against any cross-connection or backflow issues with your water supply. This just means that you have a physical gap between your discharge pipe and the floor drain or utility sink where the discharge water will go. A good water softener installation will also take the water pressure for drainage into account. The water can flow fast, so you want to be sure it won’t splash everywhere.

4. Use appropriate fasteners.

Last but not least, you want water softener fasteners that are sized right for your system. This is one of the easiest things to avoid, but also one of the most common problems people notice with their water softener installation projects. A fastener that’s too big can lead to leaks, which isn’t good for your water bill or the system itself. Your system will work better when you’ve got the right parts in place.

Indy Soft Water Repairs and Installs

After a good install, your water softener expert should also add the salt to your system. Then you’ll be all set to start enjoying your soft water right away! Avoiding these common mistakes can give you the reassurance you need that your system will be running at maximum efficiency. It will also ensure that any water softener repairs that you might need later on can get handled with ease. If you have questions about an old system install, or you’re ready to get your new unit installed by a pro, you can always count on Indy Soft Water. Our experienced team will help you select the best water softener for your home, and then install it securely for you and your family. Your unit needs to be installed correctly to be efficient and safe. We can help. Send us a message to schedule your in-home consultation and we’ll be on our way!