The Well Upgrade Secret: Adding Water Softener To Well Water Without Plumbing Nightmares

Written by Craig "The Water Guy" Phillips

Water Softening Basics

Here, we're gonna dig into water softening, kicking things off with what hard water is, then chatting about why you'd wanna soften it, and wrapping up with the different kinds of water softeners. If you've got well water and you're thinking about ways to add a softener, we've got you covered! Check out: adding a water softener to well water.

Understanding Hard Water

Hard water is just water that's got a bit too much calcium and magnesium swimming around in it (SJ Johnson). This stuff can create some headaches:

• Clogs things up in your pipes and appliances
• Makes your water heater work like it's running a marathon
• Calls the plumber way too often for your liking

Here's a quick look at what those pesky minerals look like in your water:

Mineral	Concentration (mg/L)
Calcium	40 – 200
Magnesium	10 – 50
Total Hardness	100 – 400

Benefits of Water Softeners

Fixing up your water situation can really upgrade how your home feels. Here's some of the good stuff that comes with soft water:

• Gadget Lifespan Supreme: Ditch the gunk, save your dishwashers and washing machines from early retirement.
• Smooth Sailing Piping: Scale buildup takes a hike, letting you worry less about leaks or strokes of plumbing..
• Energy Efficient Water Heating: Bye-bye residue, hello energy savings.
• Sippable Water: Tastes better, so you might start craving more of it over bottled options. (SJ Johnson).

Types of Water Softeners

Choosing a water softener is like picking a phone plan. There's one for everyone! Check it out:

Type	Description	Ideal For
Salt-Based	Swaps out bad ions for sodium ones using ion exchange (Pure Aqua)	Common pick, mineral rich
Nanofiltration	Skips the salt, uses a special filter to keep only what you want (Pure Aqua)	Salt-free, earth-friendly
Dual-Tank Systems	Double the tanks, for those houses that just keep on using the water (Pure Aqua)	Big families, big water fans

Get what suits your pad best, and if you need a deeper dive, have a browse through our collection: top-rated water softeners for well water.

Next up, get ready for the lowdown on putting these softeners in place and keeping them rolling smooth with the insider tips you'll find in our installation and maintenance section.

Installing a Water Softener

DIY Installation Tips

So you're thinking about installing a water softener yourself? Good move! If you've got a bit of plumbing know-how, you can roll up those sleeves and get to work. Why pay a plumber when you can be the hero of your home? Before you start doing your victory dance, check out these tips we’ve gathered for you:

1. Preparation: Get all your tools in order before diving in. You'll need a pipe cutter, some trusty wrenches, pipe fittings, and, of course, the ever-reliable Teflon tape. Be ready—you might need to trim some pipes to fit things just right. You know, nothing ever fits on the first try!

2. Location: Find a spot near where the water enters your house, but before it heats up. The closer it is, the more it can protect your heater and make sure every drop of water in your home is softened up before it starts its tour.

3. Power Supply: No juice, no dice! Make sure there's a power outlet within reach—these gadgets need electricity to work their magic.

4. Bypass Valve: Install the bypass valve, because nobody wants to deal with a house full of dry pipes during maintenance. It lets you keep the water flowing even if the softener’s taking a break.

5. Connect to Plumbing: Use those pipe fittings along with Teflon tape to hook up the softener to your main water line. Think of it like assembling a giant Lego set—just this time, water might spray everywhere if you don’t get it right.

6. Drain Line: Set up a drain line to waste out the salty stuff from the brine tank. Double-check how your local area likes this done and get it secured so it doesn't pop loose on you.

Here’s a quick list to get you started:

Tools/Supplies	Purpose
Pipe Cutter	Snipping pipes to size
Wrenches	Making those connections tight
Teflon Tape	Keeping leaks at bay
Bypass Valve	Water freedom during tweaks

Want step-by-step instructions? Dive into our water softener system for well water guide for more juicy details.

Maintenance Requirements

Now that you’ve installed your softener, it’s a bit like having a pet—it needs regular care. Here are the key tasks to keep it in top shape:

1. Salt Levels: Make sure the brine tank isn’t running on empty. Keep it topped with salt every 4-6 weeks, but if someone in the house takes epic showers, you might need to add it more often.

2. Cleaning the Brine Tank: Think of this as an annual house cleaning. Empty it out, give it a rinse, and throw in new salt to avoid it turning into a rock concert in there.

3. Resin Bed: Give the resin bed a yearly cleaning to clear out all the gunk it’s trapped. No one wants hidden eruptions of iron and grit.

4. Inspecting Components: Have a peek at the valves and seals every so often to catch potential leaks or wear early. It’s like checking the oil in your car—better to spot issues here than face a big bill later.

5. Professional Servicing: Despite all this, a periodic professional look-over ensures everything’s still ticking like a well-oiled machine.

And here's your maintenance cheat sheet:

Maintenance Task	Frequency
Check Salt Levels	Every 4-6 weeks
Clean Brine Tank	Once a year
Clean Resin Bed	Annually
Inspect Components	Regular checks
Professional Servicing	Every few years

Stick with this and your water softener will keep on softening without a hiccup. Need more tips? Check out our article on good water softener systems for all the tricks.

Got questions or looking for more guides? We’ve got the lowdown on finding your best water softener for well water and well water softener right here.