SW300 Series Water Conditioner Installation

Installing the Silkwater SW300 Series in a home that uses copper piping (no by-pass shut-off):

1. Before doing any work on the plumbing system, ensure that water is turned off at the main shutoff.
2. Drain as much water as possible from the pipes by opening all taps
3. The SW300 filter descaler unit should be installed immediately downstream from the main water shutoff.
4. Locate an area on the wall near the water main where the SW301 or SW303 conditioner can be installed. Ensure the location has enough clearance for the unit to be easily drained.
5. Locate studs in the wall and mount a piece of scrap wood to the structure to serve as a backer for the conditioner using a drill driver and screws.
6. Assemble the SW300 conditioner using the instructions with the kit, then attach the unit into the plywood backer board on the wall.
7. Measure, cut, and dry fit the pipes to connect the main water line to the conditioner. Cut the pipes with the pipe cutter and clean the ends with sandpaper before dry fitting.
8. Disassemble the pieces, apply flux to the pipe and fittings, and then solder the connections.
9. Turn the water back on and check for leaks.

Installing the Silkwater SW300 Series with optional by-pass shut-off valve in a home with copper piping:

1. Before doing any work on the plumbing system, ensure that water is turned off at the main shutoff.
2. Drain as much water as possible from the pipes by opening all taps and fixtures and then opening a drawoff valve near the main.
3. The SW300 filter descaler unit should be installed immediately downstream from the main water shutoff.
4. Locate an area on the wall near the water main where the SW301 or SW303 conditioner can be installed. Ensure the location has enough clearance for the unit to be easily drained.
5. Determine the location of the SW301 or SW303 filter descaler. If necessary, attach a piece of plywood for attaching the filter bracket.
6. Use a tubing cutter to cut in to the main water supply pipe.
7. Clean, apply flux, and solder the adapter fittings to transition into the filter housing on a workbench to keep the heat away from the filter unit.
8. Once cool, connect the adapter fittings to the filter housing, using thread sealing tape on threaded connections.
9. Clean, flux, and then dryfit the remaining connections. Include “T” fittings that allow water into and out of the filter, but also connect to a shutoff valve that serves as a bypass.
10. Include a shutoff valve for water entering the filter and a shutoff valve for water leaving the filter.
11. In normal operation, the bypass valve remains in the closed position and the two filter valves are in the open position. If the filter requires service, those valves should be reversed, allowing untreated water into the building temporarily.
12. Once all connections have been made, turn water pressure back on to the building and check for leaks.

For advice and tips from the experts, watch “Ask This Old House” plumbing and heating specialist Richard Trethewey as he installs a typical Whole House Water Filter: