Seriously, thank you for just cutting to the chase and showing how it's done without unnecessary chatter. Ready to replace my water softener thanks to you, also grateful for the hundred$ I've saved through UA-cam videos but weary of the "what's up guys!" approach.
Hi! I have a very similar looking water softener that has never worked since I moved in and would like to just remove it and use the space for a laundry cart. Would you foresee any problem just turning off the supply line at the water heater( it seems to have a knob for that) and putting a cap on those copper pipes?
If you remove the softener, don't cap those lines, rather connect them to keep the flow of water going. You can use a threaded fitting to connect the pipes. You can turn off the water supply valve while you do this, but turn it back on when done so you have water flowing in your house.
Yeah, my Kenmore cut out on us after about 16 years for the same reason as yours. Replacing this weekend. Thanks for the great video. Feel like I can do this now.
Great video I do have a question I'm replacing my old water softener it's 8 years old do I need to replace the hoses my house was built to accommodate my water softener the hoses are 8 years old there's no leaking from them thanks for all the info
What brand of water softener did you get? I need to replace my old one, which is “Guardian” brand. Thank you for the video, which helps me understand how this system works!
You should have a bypass behind it. Push the mechanism or rotate the knob to bypass the water softener. If you don't have that then look for a water shut off valve to turn off so you can remove the unit and connect the incoming and outgoing pipes.
There are formulas for calculating the size based on water consumption. Generally take 80 gallons per day per person in the house, then determine the hardness of the water in your area. Home centers carry 30k - 40k grains. For a 4 person household 35,000 grains is typical. Make sure it auto regenerates. Currently they run $350-$400. Good luck!
Great video quick question what if your house no longer uses the water softener and you’re just trying to get rid of it. Would you remove the softener and replace the open pipes with a connecting hose?
Yes, you can get a flexible line and just connect the two ends. (or you could add a whole house sediment filter-I have a video coming out later today on that subject).
A couple of ways: you can buy test strips at a home center for a few dollars, or you can call your water company and ask for an analysis of the water supply (assuming you are not on a well).
EPA requires community water supply companies to have a water quality report each year that should state the hardness, but if their number seems lower than what you are seeing, you can also have a test done. Mine local area is extremely bad. Here's the ranges of Calcium Carbonate CaCO3: 0 to 60 mg/L (milligrams per liter) as calcium carbonate is classified as soft; 61 to 120 mg/L as moderately hard; 121 to 180 mg/L as hard; more than 180 mg/L as very hard My local report measured ranges from 39 to 381 ppm (roughly the same as mg/L)
Where did you get those water hoses? I am trying to replace my water softener and the issue for me is that my old one was (for lack of a better term) hard wired (or hard piped?) to the water pipes. It did not have those flexi hoses. So now that I have a new one and am in the process of installing it, I see that it is not the same exact size as my old one. So I cannot connect the back of the water softener to the ball valve. The inlet on the water softener is 1 inch and the ball valve is 1 inch. I cannot find a flexi water hose 1inch male to 1 inch female which is what I need.
Those are just copper flex water heater supply lines. I'm pretty sure that Home Depot sells the steel braided 1" male to 1" female you are looking for. If not you could always just add an adapter to one end and make the hose whatever you need.
@@MikeKlimek apparently 1 inch to 1 inch is a super hard size to find. I have been to Home Depot, Lowes, and a plumbing supply store.. no luck. In any case good video!
@@MikeKlimek I'm looking for a system to but I have many questions or doubt not sure which brand or model to buy because are many in the market , in your experience which one do you recommend for a house with 5 people . I will really appreciated you help . Thank you ..
Maybe someone asked this already - how do I make sure I have most of the water out of the 'house system' after I turn off water coming in from the city. If I just shut off the water and then pull the softener out won't all the water already in the system come out the output connection?
I think I understand what you are asking. With the water off at the meter, you can open a faucet near the softener and any pressure will drain into the sink drain. Hope that helps.
Great video. So why do people want to charge thousands of dollars to replace one? We have a Kenmore in our house too and it needs the values replaced. We had it installed after we bought it from Sears about 18 years ago. Had a guy come today and he wanted $3000 to replace it. I see online they are $500ish to purchase.
Maybe because they can get away with it. There are expensive systems that don't use salt and that may appeal to some people. For most of us, we want soft water for showering, laundry, and dishes.
I didn’t understand what the black hose was for? I have one discharge hose that goes to the slop sink. Is that the one you were showing? I also have a overflow tube that goes to the drain. Thanks, for the good video.
I think I understand your question. The black hose in the video goes to a drain (one was pre-plumbed in the wall in this video), so that every time the softener regenerates, the discharge is pumped out to a drain. There is also an overflow at the top of the tank that will only flow if the level in the tank is too high. Sounds like both of yours go to the slop sink. Hope that helps.
Seriously, thank you for just cutting to the chase and showing how it's done without unnecessary chatter. Ready to replace my water softener thanks to you, also grateful for the hundred$ I've saved through UA-cam videos but weary of the "what's up guys!" approach.
LOL We all know exactly what you're talking about!
Good video. Now I feel confident I can replace my old unit myself.
Awesome-Glad to help you!
Hi! I have a very similar looking water softener that has never worked since I moved in and would like to just remove it and use the space for a laundry cart. Would you foresee any problem just turning off the supply line at the water heater( it seems to have a knob for that) and putting a cap on those copper pipes?
If you remove the softener, don't cap those lines, rather connect them to keep the flow of water going. You can use a threaded fitting to connect the pipes. You can turn off the water supply valve while you do this, but turn it back on when done so you have water flowing in your house.
Yeah, my Kenmore cut out on us after about 16 years for the same reason as yours. Replacing this weekend. Thanks for the great video. Feel like I can do this now.
You're welcome!
@@MikeKlimek It was a success. Thanks again for the video. It helped a lot.
@@viper-sh9ys you're welcome!
Great info! Very clear and concise. Thank you.
You're Welcome!
Perfect. Thank you
Welcome!
So helpful!! Thanks
Welcome Lisa!
Great video I do have a question I'm replacing my old water softener it's 8 years old do I need to replace the hoses my house was built to accommodate my water softener the hoses are 8 years old there's no leaking from them thanks for all the info
My opinion is that while you have everything disconnected anyway, I would replace them even though they aren't leaking
What brand of water softener did you get? I need to replace my old one, which is “Guardian” brand. Thank you for the video, which helps me understand how this system works!
Glad to help you! I believe that one was an AO Smith brand from Lowes
My Kenmore crapped out after 11 years (Wife can tell) Installing new AO Smith unit today.
LOL. It's a perfect weekend job.
The baggie test was entertaining. LOL!! What's the make and model of the ride in the background? (it had me distracted)
LOL Glad you enjoyed it. The car is an old Firebird
Water is shooting out of mine how do I turn the water off I turn the lever to off
You should have a bypass behind it. Push the mechanism or rotate the knob to bypass the water softener. If you don't have that then look for a water shut off valve to turn off so you can remove the unit and connect the incoming and outgoing pipes.
Does it make a difference which watersoftener you purchase? my house is 2100 sq ft
There are formulas for calculating the size based on water consumption. Generally take 80 gallons per day per person in the house, then determine the hardness of the water in your area. Home centers carry 30k - 40k grains. For a 4 person household 35,000 grains is typical. Make sure it auto regenerates. Currently they run $350-$400. Good luck!
@@MikeKlimek thank u very much
Hi Mike great video. My problem is my new softener has 2 drain hoses... How do I do that?
Great video quick question what if your house no longer uses the water softener and you’re just trying to get rid of it. Would you remove the softener and replace the open pipes with a connecting hose?
Yes, you can get a flexible line and just connect the two ends. (or you could add a whole house sediment filter-I have a video coming out later today on that subject).
Thanks. 😊
How did you measure your water's hardness? Or is that something I should know?
A couple of ways: you can buy test strips at a home center for a few dollars, or you can call your water company and ask for an analysis of the water supply (assuming you are not on a well).
EPA requires community water supply companies to have a water quality report each year that should state the hardness, but if their number seems lower than what you are seeing, you can also have a test done.
Mine local area is extremely bad.
Here's the ranges of Calcium Carbonate CaCO3:
0 to 60 mg/L (milligrams per liter) as calcium carbonate is classified as soft;
61 to 120 mg/L as moderately hard;
121 to 180 mg/L as hard;
more than 180 mg/L as very hard
My local report measured ranges from 39 to 381 ppm (roughly the same as mg/L)
Looks like a Marina blue 1967 Chevelle in the background
Close! a 67 Firebird in Tyrol Blue
Where did you get those water hoses?
I am trying to replace my water softener and the issue for me is that my old one was (for lack of a better term) hard wired (or hard piped?) to the water pipes. It did not have those flexi hoses. So now that I have a new one and am in the process of installing it, I see that it is not the same exact size as my old one. So I cannot connect the back of the water softener to the ball valve.
The inlet on the water softener is 1 inch and the ball valve is 1 inch. I cannot find a flexi water hose 1inch male to 1 inch female which is what I need.
Those are just copper flex water heater supply lines. I'm pretty sure that Home Depot sells the steel braided 1" male to 1" female you are looking for. If not you could always just add an adapter to one end and make the hose whatever you need.
@@MikeKlimek apparently 1 inch to 1 inch is a super hard size to find. I have been to Home Depot, Lowes, and a plumbing supply store.. no luck.
In any case good video!
thank you!
You're Welcome!
is there a reason why you bought a diffrent brand instead of the same one?
No, I probably would have bought the same brand (it lasted over 20 years!), but it was not available/convenient.
@@MikeKlimek I'm looking for a system to but I have many questions or doubt not sure which brand or model to buy because are many in the market , in your experience which one do you recommend for a house with 5 people . I will really appreciated you help .
Thank you ..
Maybe someone asked this already - how do I make sure I have most of the water out of the 'house system' after I turn off water coming in from the city. If I just shut off the water and then pull the softener out won't all the water already in the system come out the output connection?
I think I understand what you are asking. With the water off at the meter, you can open a faucet near the softener and any pressure will drain into the sink drain. Hope that helps.
You would tend to think, the water softener industry could standardize the inlets and outlets. Kinda like "hot is on the left" with any sink!
That is a great observation!
Great video. So why do people want to charge thousands of dollars to replace one? We have a Kenmore in our house too and it needs the values replaced. We had it installed after we bought it from Sears about 18 years ago. Had a guy come today and he wanted $3000 to replace it. I see online they are $500ish to purchase.
Maybe because they can get away with it. There are expensive systems that don't use salt and that may appeal to some people. For most of us, we want soft water for showering, laundry, and dishes.
@@MikeKlimek Thanks so much your video helped me to see that it wasn't a huge deal to replace. What kind did you get?
@@OKAAC I bought an AO Smith. I'm sure they are all made by the same factory, just different names stamped on them!
I didn’t understand what the black hose was for? I have one discharge hose that goes to the slop sink. Is that the one you were showing? I also have a overflow tube that goes to the drain. Thanks, for the good video.
I think I understand your question. The black hose in the video goes to a drain (one was pre-plumbed in the wall in this video), so that every time the softener regenerates, the discharge is pumped out to a drain. There is also an overflow at the top of the tank that will only flow if the level in the tank is too high. Sounds like both of yours go to the slop sink. Hope that helps.
I want to see a video about the blue car.
LOL!
This unit is 24 years old, not 29!
My problem is everything (Water heater, softener and furnace cramped all together and not enough room to work.
Yes, sometimes you need to be a contortionist to do this stuff!
Is that a 66 chevelle?
67 Firebird!
Is that a Camaro?
Close--67 Firebird!