How to Soften Hard Water at Home
Hard water is water with above-average concentrations of calcium and magnesium ions. While the minerals are harmless to humans, over time they can cause significant corrosion to such home appliances as washing machines and dishwashers. Many homeowners, therefore, choose to soften their water. This is done by using a commercial water softener unit, which is installed in the building's water system. Once installed, a water softener system just needs to be occasionally topped with water softener salt, which filters out minerals. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Water softener system
- Softener sodium chloride or potassium chloride salt
Instructions
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1
Shut off the water in your home at the main shutoff valve.
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2
Turn off the electricity to your water heater.
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3
Drain all the water lines in the house by opening all taps and plumbing fixtures.
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4
Connect the water softener to the bypass valves supplied by the manufacturer and included with the water softener unit. Solder the connecting metal couplers (also supplied by the manufacturer) to your water system's two copper control lines. The couplers allow the water softener's bypass valves to then be connected to the main water system.
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5
Turn the water back on by completely opening the water supply valve.
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6
Run the softener through an entire backwash cycle.
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7
Add the water softener salt and turn on the machine.
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Tips & Warnings
To determine whether the water in your home is hard, simply wash your hands with soap. Hard water prevents soap suds from forming as much as they do in soft water. The calcium and magnesium in hard water has health benefits and reduces the presence of potentially toxic metals such as lead and copper. To keep some of these benefits, try softening to only 1 grain per gallon.
If your water is still too hard, you may notice spots on your dishes, residue in bathtubs and film and soap scum.
References
Resources
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