Water Softener Installation Guidance. Important information about the Supply Pressure and Plumbing Route.
Before you install a water softener, you should contact the local water supplier for information about the normal operating pressure for a supply area, to make sure the pressure is neither too high or too low , when checked against the softener manufacturer's instructions.
If the supply pressure is too low, it may influence the functionality of your water softener. If the supply pressure is too high - a leakage or premature failure may occur, and a pressure reducing valve may be needed.
The Plumbing Zone. It is important that pipe runs are kept as short as possible, when installing a water softener (and as with any plumbing work) - to minimize pressure loss and stagnation. Fittings and bends should be brought to a minimum, as well. The route must be established mainly by the location of the water softener, however the pipe route for the hard water drinking tap should also be planned carefully to make sure unnecessary disruptions to the existing premises are avoided.
Garden Water Supply. It is preferable to use hard water for gardening and outdoor purposes, because of the softener salt consumption and water wastage. Therefore, it is advisable for the garden tap to be connected to the hard water supply upstream of the water softener connection - for convenience and economy. In situations where this is not possible because of the plumbing complexity, the softener can be bypassed when using water for outdoor purposes.
