DIY Water Conditioner Installation Basics

PostedApril 6, 2019

Last Updated OnApril 6, 2019

ByAdmin

How To Install the Water Conditioner?

You’ll need the following tools if you choose to make this a DIY project.

A drill and assorted drill bits
2 adjustable wrenches, different sizes
A tubing cutter
Bucket to catch any water remaining in main supply pipe after shut off
Adapters may be required on each side of the Conditioner to attach your pipe size.
Optional – Shut-off valves

Choose an easily accessible frost-free location near the main water supply for your home.

You want to ensure that it’s easy to drain and clean the Conditioner every 3 to 6 months.

Remember, you are treating and filtering the entire incoming water supply for the whole house.

The Silkwater Technologies Water Filter & Descaler units are relatively easy to install, but if you are not experienced or confident enough with DIY projects, you should get a local plumber for professional help.

How to install the Water Conditioner unit.

Turn off the main water supply and drain the system.
Choose the new location for the conditioner unit and mark it. If located outside the house, choose a location that is safe from frost and extreme weather. Keep in mind you’ll have to drain and service the conditioner occasionally so choose a location you can reach comfortably.
Cut the pipe using a pipe cutter.
Optional but recommended – install a shutoff valve for water entering the filter and one for water leaving the filter
Install the compression nut and plastic or brass fittings according to the manufacturer’s instructions. It’s recommended to use pipe thread tape on the fittings for better sealing.
Install the conditioner with the “in” and “out” ports facing the right directions.
Turn on the main water supply and check for leaks.
The installation is complete. Every time you need to drain and clean the conditioner, turn the valve on the bottom of the filter unit.

Watch “Ask This Old House” plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey as he installs a typical Whole House Water Filter

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Customer Reviews

My old water softener died on me and I wanted something without the salt.. It was becoming impossible for me to replace it because of the infirmaries of old age. I love this. It does not take up the space of the other one and the water tastes better. I live in AZ where the water is hard and very often bad tasting so I tried this out on my fussy friends and they all approved of the taste.Even with the water softener, I had spots on the tile but I have none yet eith this . I have very little build-up on anything and that was my main priority.

Margie Brown

We live in an area with very hard water. We put this in our brand new house and after 3 months we are not seeing any of the lime buildup or staining on sinks, faucets, etc that we fought on a daily basis in our old house. Highly recommend.

D. Hovorka

This product is awesome, does a great job softening the water and no need to add or buy bags of salt.

Rachel Eastburn

I have to give this 5 stars right now. Its only been 3 months, but I have no spotting on my glass or chrome, and no buildup on faucets. If I notice some later, I will come back and edit this review. Up till now, I am very satisfied. It was hard to believe that something this small and simple could take care of my water the way it does. No more buying and carrying the bulky salt bags, and no more looking at the large , ugly water softener. This unit is barley noticeable.

Michael Goodrich

This thing is awesome, does a great job softening the water, and replacing the crystals every 3 months is a cinch.

Michael B.

Recently installed this system in our home and truly think it is remarkable. Living in a rural area with a well we were having issues with calcium deposits. Had to replace our water heater after 6 years and the water softner was not working. Hated lugging 40lbs of salt under the house. Found out about this new technology and communicated with the seller who answered all our questions. It was very easy to install and within days we noticed a difference in our clothes and skin. The white residue on our fixture is no longer there. Even our dishes sparkle again. The price is right and I would recommend this great product to anyone.

Mark Burgess

No bags of salt to heft around and store, no back flushing, no tanks to maintain. We purchased a Filterwater-3166402237 Poly Salt Free Water Softener filtration kit in January of 2017. It was another year before it was installed as part of our house renovation. Since moving back into into the house this January, and watching for signs of calcium/lime deposits as previously experienced, we noticed nothing but the occasional formation of a white powder on countertops and around fixtures where water had evaporated.

Now, rather than having to remove greenish deposits with vinegar and bash bristled brushes, they just wipe away with a damp sponge during normal cleaning. In addition to the house we live in we also own a couple of rental properties. As a part of the upgrades we normally do when tenants leave we will definitely being installing these same water conditioners to reduce maintenance chores and plumbing deterioration. Sincerely, Tom Curl - Medfield, MA

Tom Curl

Amazing. Solved our hard water problems. Bought Jan 2017, now Nov 2017 and noticed dishes coming out chalky. Time for new crystals. Lasted much longer than the 6-8 months and we are a house of 7. Customer service is amazing as I had a leak initally and Brad Morris called and emailed until I got it fixed. I needed to add some Teflon tape on the pressure release valve (it is a separate piece).

Lori L