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Water Softener System: Installing a Water Softener Water Softener System: Installing a Water Softener From "Ed the Plumber" episode DETP-201

In this segment, host Ed Del Grande explains how to begin the process of installing a water softener.

Materials:

curb key
pipe wrenches
copper pipes and elbows
dielectric union
soldering torch, flux and solder
water softener system and instructions

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	Figure A
	Figure B
	Figure C
	Figure D
	Figure E
	Figure F
	Figure G

1. Shut off the water at the main using a curb key (figure A).

2. Drain the water lines by turning on a faucet at the highest and lowest point in the house.

3. Shut off the valve at the water heater (figure B).

4. Turn off the power to the water heater. If it's gas, turn the control to 'Pilot'.

5. Using two pipe wrenches, slowly loosen the union (figure C) on the water line so that you can tap new lines into the existing water line.

6. Connect the new water lines to the existing line (figure D).

Remote By-Pass:

A remote by-pass is a system of pipes that will allow water to come into the water softener or it can by-pass the system altogether. A short pipe (figure E) connects the feed-line pipe and the service line creating the by-pass.

Installing the By-Pass:

1. Insert a male adaptor to the female adaptor on the tank.

2. Install a union on the end of the male adaptor.

3. Next, apply flux to the ends of the pipes.

4. Connect the fittings to the pipes (figure F).

5. Heat the pipes using a torch, then solder the joints together (figure G).

6. Reconnect to the main water line.

Next: Blueprint for a Best-Built Bathroom