Water Softener Installation

Is your water hard

Hardness is mostly calcium and magnesium dissolved in the water. Aurora's municipal supply comes through York Region, and hardness can vary with the source mix and season. Homes on private wells in the surrounding countryside often see higher numbers. The Region publishes water quality reports that list typical hardness, and a simple test kit or a lab test gives you your own reading. Our article on hard water in York Region goes into the background.

Signs you are dealing with hard water:

• White crust on taps, shower heads and aerators.
• Soap and shampoo that do not lather well.
• Spots on dishes and glass.
• A water heater that rumbles or pops as scale collects at the bottom.

Sizing and salt use

Softeners are sized by grain capacity, which depends on your hardness level and how much water the household uses each day. Too small, and the unit regenerates constantly and wastes salt and water. Too big, and resin can sit too long between cycles. We ask how many people are in the house, look at your test results and recommend a size that regenerates on a sensible schedule.

Metered or demand-initiated controls regenerate based on actual use instead of a timer, which usually saves salt. Potassium chloride is an alternative to sodium chloride for households that want it, though it typically costs more.

Bypass and drain

A proper installation includes:

1. A bypass valve, so the softener can be cut out for service without cutting off the house.
2. A location on the main line after the meter, typically before the water heater.
3. A drain line from the unit to a floor drain or standpipe, with an air gap so wastewater cannot siphon back.
4. Unsoftened lines left to outside taps and, if you like, to a kitchen tap for drinking.

Maintenance

Keep salt topped up in the brine tank and look for a hard crust, known as a salt bridge, that can form above the water. Break it up gently with a broom handle. Clean the brine tank occasionally. Resin lasts many years on municipal water but can be fouled by iron on some well supplies, so a pre-filter may be part of the setup there.

If you also want to change taste or remove chlorine, a softener alone will not do it; see water filtration systems. And if you are adjusting outside taps at the same time, our outdoor faucets page may help.

A quick sign your softener has stopped working: soap stops lathering easily again, or spots return on dishes. Check the salt level first, then the control settings after any power outage, since some older timers lose their schedule when the electricity blinks.