A water softener is a very useful appliance to improve the water quality in your home, but it’s not a piece of equipment that could be described as aesthetically pleasing. In the majority of cases, the water softener is installed in an out of the way location such as a garage or basement. If your home has neither of these locations the next place chosen is usually next to the water heater. These areas are not selected to hide the water softener, so when you install your system there are a lot of factors to consider, and we will explore them here in more detail.
The Water Softener Location
The primary consideration for your new water softener is that it must be located close to the main water line into your home. This will allow access to the line, and it will mean that you can soften all of the water supplied to your property. Be aware that soft water is not ideal for water plants, so the water softener should not be connected to any location where it will be connected to external plumbing.
Space Considerations
The space that you will need for your water softener will depend upon the size of the system that you want to install. A typical water softener will take up 3 feet by 1½ feet, and it could be 5 or 6 feet high. There will need to be space to work around the unit and a salt storage area. Water softener salt can come in 40lb bags, and you may use 30 bags in a single year, so it’s important to have easy access to the area. This is why you should exercise care if you want to locate a water softener in a well house. This could mean that you need to haul heavy bags of salt a long distance in all types of weather.
Easy Drain Access
The water softener needs to have easy access to a nearby drain to flush away the brine solution after each regeneration cycle. A water softener contains resin beads where the mineral ions that cause hard water are trapped. During the regeneration cycle, these resin beads are thoroughly washed with a highly concentrated brine solution. It helps to think of the beads as tiny sponges, over time they get clogged and the need to be cleaned so that they can work efficiently.
Remember Your Water Heater
There needs to be at least 10 feet of pipe between your water softener and water heater. This is necessary to prevent a chance of the hot water migrating back into your water softener as it goes through a regeneration cycle. When hot water enters a water softener, it can easily damage some of the vulnerable components and tubing located inside the unit.
Some Final Thoughts
The location that you choose needs to dry and level and positioned near to an available outlet so that you can supply the unit with power. When you investigate the ideal location for your water softener, it can be a little tricky and if you’re not sure, consult a local water treatment professional for expert advice.