Better Water for
a Better Life
The Best Location to Install a Water Softener: Insights from a Pentair Water Softening Company in Bolingbrook, Illinois
Are you getting ready to invest in a new water softener for your home? If so, you’ll want to be careful about where you install it. A unit that’s installed in the wrong spot can be harder to maintain, less effective, and might not protect your plumbing or appliances.
Below, this Pentair water softening company in Bolingbrook, Illinois is going to explain where a softener works best.
Where should a water softener be installed?
The best place is near the point where water first enters your home. That is usually right next to the main shut-off valve. Installing the softener here makes sure all the water gets softened before it goes to your faucets or appliances.
If the softener is placed after the pipes have already split off, some water will not go through the system.
For the system to work properly, you need a few things nearby:
- The main water line, before the water heater
- A drain for regeneration discharge within 30 feet and no more than 8 feet above floor level
- A live 110- to 120-volt outlet
- A spot that does not get too hot or cold (35–100°F is ideal)
Basements, garages, and utility rooms usually check all the boxes, which is why they are the most common spots for water softeners in most homes.
This is also how a Pentair water softening company in Bolingbrook, Illinois handles the installation. During an in-home consultation, they will look for your main line and see if you have enough space, power, and drainage nearby.
Can you install it near the water heater or under the kitchen sink?
It might feel easier to install the softener close to just one area, like your kitchen or shower. These are called point-of-use systems. They treat small amounts of water for only one fixture, and the rest of the house still gets hard water.
A whole-home system, or point-of-entry softener, is installed at the start of your water line so most or all the water in your house gets treated. For this reason, a professional Pentair water softening company will always recommend installing the system at the main water entry point.
Is your home ready for a softener?
Most homes already have a suitable spot. It is usually close to where your main water line enters, like in the garage, basement, or utility area.
That area should have a drain, the main water line before the heater, and a 110 V electrical outlet. The drain can’t be too far away or too high up. Ideally, it should be within 30 feet and not more than 8 feet higher than the softener.
Newer homes may have a softener loop already in place. It is a U-shaped pipe near the main line that makes installation easier. These loops have hookups for drains and bypass valves as well.
Keep in mind that installers also need room to work and to run pipes. Most systems need about nine square feet of space, though some smaller ones need less.
A Pentair water softening company in Bolingbrook, Illinois can check the space and layout during an in-home consultation. They will verify utility access and see if any plumbing adjustments are needed before installation.
Looking for a Pentair Water Softening Company in Bolingbrook, Illinois?
If you’re ready to partner with a trusted Pentair water softening provider in Bolingbrook, Illinois, look no further than Johnson Water Conditioning. We will find your main water line, check the power and drainage, and make sure the softener is properly installed to give you a consistent supply of soft water. Contact us today to learn how we can help.