Am I Capable of Installing My Own Salt Pool Chlorinator?

How to Install Your Own Salt Pool Chlorinator System

As with many new technologies, the mystery surrounding saltwater pools has quickly given way to general acceptance and the do-it-yourself crowd has said, "That looks like something I can do myself!" Fortunately, they are correct and people with basic home-handy skills are converting their pools to salt in record numbers, and saving a great deal of money in the process. This article may help you decide if this project is a good fit for you.

INSTALLING A WATER SOFTENER

The process of converting a standard chlorine pool to a salt water pool is quite simple and revolves around the installation of a chlorine generator. Remarkably, the pool industry has yet to form a consensus on what to call this category of equipment. Some call them chlorine generators but some refer to them as salt chlorinators. Others still call them saline systems or simply salt pool systems. In some parts of the world, they are known as electrolyzers. They are all the same thing, a device that breaks down salt molecules and releases sanitizer into the pool water. Universally, they have two major components; a power supply and a generating "cell" that the water passes through. On one component or the other, a control allows the user to regulate the amount of sanitizer delivered. Beyond these basics, various brands have an array of differences, mostly in the electronics and in the design of the cell.

Sophisticated salt chlorinators have digital circuitry programmed to monitor the salinity and temperature of the water and provide self-regulated power to the cell. The displays make it easy for the pool owner to know that the unit is functioning normally and provide alerts when it's time to add more salt. The circuits also apply power to the cell in a way that maximizes cell life. Moreover, modern units all have circuitry that minimizes the need to clean the cell and they work at low salinity levels that are generally safe for all modern pool equipment and finishes. Although the troublesome stories still resonate in some corners, the old days of salt brine tanks with high salinity levers have gone the way of floppy disks. Today's salt pool systems work with pool water that is less salty than the solution we wash our contacts in. You can't taste it and you don't notice anything but a soft sensation to the water. The point is, all of your existing pool equipment is fine. Don't throw anything away!

Step one to installing your salt chlorinator is probably already done; Make certain that your pool water is balanced. Dust off the test kit and check the PH, Total Alk, and Hardness. If needed, make some adjustments.

Next, add the salt directly to the pool. Depending on your manufacturer, this will require from 30 to 40 pounds of pure salt, per 1000 gallons of water! If you don't know how many gallons of water are in your pool, you must do the math...there is no "standard size." For rectangular pools, it's easy to multiply the average length X average width X average depth and then multiply times 7.5. For other shapes, there are many online resources that provide various formulas. Pool salt is available everywhere these days. All the home improvement centers, hardware stores, and some big box stores have it. You may also use water softener salt but steer away from any that have additives such as rust inhibitors. If you find food grade salt, make certain it is not iodized. Don't be intimidated if it seems like you are adding a lot of salt to the pool. You have a lot of water and it's only a teaspoon per gallon. Within several hours of dumping the salt over the side, it will dissolve, never to be seen again!

Now, you are ready to install the equipment; the cell and the control module. There are some installation differences between brands but basically, the plumbing job and electrical hookup are the same. It's all simple stuff but it's not a BBQ grill so read the instructions before cutting into anything.

I recommend starting with the plumbing. The position of the cell will be dictated largely by the location of your filter, heater, and control valves and in the next step, you will locate the power module so that the "cell cord" reaches the cell. This electric connection between the power supply and the cell is usually soldered in place and has a proprietary plug so there is no extending it. Most in-ground pools use 2" plumbing but some are 1.5" so figure out what you have before driving to the store. Some brands of chlorine generators are made to work with both sizes but if needed, you can buy adaptors, known as bushings. Locate the pipe that leads from the filter (or heater if you have one) and identify a section of pipe that will allow you to plumb in the cell. In most cases, you will be eliminating the plastic chlorine tablet dispenser and installing the cell in its place. Use whatever number of couplings or elbows necessary to route the water through the cell and then back to the return pipe. Having said that, try to minimize the complexity of the route and keep back pressure to a minimum. Also, when possible, provide around eight inches of straight pipe between all turns, for the same reason. Lastly, use additional pipe if necessary to raise the height of the cell for easy inspection and service. (Or go buy a pair of good knee-pads.) I won't go into the details of gluing PVC pipe because it's easy and most people have done it before. If this is your first time, there are some good videos via Google and the rest. I do recommend using good quality cement such as Gorilla PVC Glue or Red Hot Medium Duty PVC Cement. Dry fit everything first and be certain that it's going to work out before gluing to the actual cell fittings. Pay attention to the direction of the water flow through the cell. With some brands it matters and with others, it does not. All good chlorine generator cells come with threaded unions so that once the cell is glued in, you can remove it easily without cutting pipe. Lastly, some brands have a flow switch that must also be plumbed in. Installing this backwards will guarantee that your unit never comes on, so again, pay attention to the direction of the water flow.

The next step is simply mounting the control module (power supply) in a spot that is easy for you to get to and also within reach of the electric cord that feeds power to the cell. In most cases, this is on the wall next to your timer or pump switch and the package will include the hardware need for this attachment. In some cases, it may be necessary to install a post for mounting the control so that every thing reaches.

The final step is connecting AC power to the unit and while many if not most do-it-yourselfers find this an easy thing, I would caution you to call an electrician if you are not totally comfortable working with electricity. A few brands offer units with plugs that simply plug into an available GFCI outlet. Most brands are made to be hardwired but could also easily be converted to the plug in variety with a plug from the hardware store. Except in the Deep South and parts of Florida, most pool equipment is set up to run on 220 volts and most salt chlorinators default to this voltage. If you only have 110v at the equipment pad, speak with your vendor before ordering your system. Most will gladly set it up for 110v before shipping and save you the trouble of converting it. A description of the electrical codes that may apply to the hookup of any pool equipment is outside the scope of this article but suffice to say that they are there for a reason. You want equipment that is properly grounded and connected in a way that will not be compromised by weather or a child that tugs on a hanging wire. Do it right or not at all and call a licensed electrician if you are unsure of anything.

When everything is connected, turn on your pump and wait for the system to pressurize, checking everywhere for leaks. Once you are happy with your plumbing job, turn on the salt chlorinator and follow the set up instructions.

Congratulations. You now have a salt pool! Give your left over chlorine tablets to your brother-in-law so he can save up for his own chlorine generator. Good job!

Am I Capable of Installing My Own Salt Pool Chlorinator?

INSTALLING A WATER SOFTENER

Homebuilding: Installing Sill Plates

When building a house, installing the sill plates correctly
will determine how straight and square the finished product
will be.

Hopefully the concrete contractor did his job and left you
with a reasonably straight and square foundation. A good
concrete contractor can make a framing contractors job of
building a house a piece of cake. Even if the foundation is
slightly out of square, a good framing contractor can adjust
his sill plates and correct the problem.

INSTALLING A WATER SOFTENER

When laying out the sill plates, snap chalk lines on the
biggest square of the foundation. This will usually be the
main part of the house. After snapping the front or back and
one side, check for square. This is easily done by using
the 3-4-5 method. Measuring 3' from the corner on the side,
and 4' from the corner on the front or back. Make a pencil
mark on the chalk line at these dimensions. Measure the
distance between these two marks on the diagonal and if
perfectly square will equal 5'. If it is not square, adjust
the shortest of these two lines so that your measurement
equals 5'.

Once squared these lines can be used as a reference point to
square and keep parallel other sections of the houses
foundation, like a garage or sunroom. By using the biggest
square portion of the house, your work will be more
accurate.

After your chalklines are all snapped, your ready to lay the
sill sealer and sill plates. The sill sealer is put on top
of the foundation wall first. This material comes in two
forms. One is very similar to fiberglass wall insulation
except thinner and with the same kraft paper backing. The
other is a 1/4" foam similar to laminate flooring
underlayment. Both materials come in widths to accommodate
2x4 and 2x6 sill plates. I prefer the foam sill sealer for
its ease to work with and what I feel will keep drafts and
moisture from penetrating under the sill plate better. Both
sealers are installed butting up to the chalk line to the
inside of the foundation wall. Both are pushed down over
the anchor bolts till it pops through the sealer.

The exterior finish determines the placement of sill plates
on the foundation wall. If the exterior finish is siding,
the sill plates will finish flush with the outside of the
foundation wall. In this case I like to measure in the width
of my sill plate, 3 1/2" for a 2x4 and 5 1/2" for a 2x6. If
the exterior finish is brick, the sill plate will be 4 1/2"
from the outside edge of the foundation wall.

Holes must be drilled in the plates to install them over the
anchor bolts. These 2x plates are usually required to be
treated lumber to resist rot. To locate the bolt hole in the
2x, put the plate up against the anchor bolts. Using a speed
square or a combination square, put the square on the edge
of the 2x and against the anchor bolt. Hold your pencil
against the squares edge with the lead 1/4" away from the
blade of the square and draw a line. This will give you the
center of the 1/2" anchor bolt along the length of the 2x
plate. to get the center off the edge of the plate, measure
from the chalkline to the center of the bolt. This will give
you the location to drill the holes in the plate. Drill a
3/4" hole in the plate. This allows some wiggle room to drop
the plate over the anchor bolts which are not always
straight up and down.

Once the holes are drilled in the plate, bolt it down with a
washer and hex nut. Continue the process by butting the next
plate to the one just put down and locate the next set of
holes, putting the sill sealer down ahead of the plates. Toe
nail all joints where the plates butt one another.

This is an important step when building a new home. By
installing the sill plates straight and square, it gives a
solid reference to follow when framing the rest of the
house.

(c) Mike Merisko www.sawkerfs.com

Homebuilding: Installing Sill Plates

INSTALLING A WATER SOFTENER

Steps To Installing An Inline Shower Filter

The Tools And Equipment You Will Need:

An In-Line Shower Filter Scissors to cut Teflon tape Some Teflon tape (optional) A 1.5" BSP rubber / plastic washer (this should have come with the shower filter) Towel to dry anything that becomes wet. A wrench (not necessary unless you want to create a very tight seal, though the Teflon tape should be enough).

INSTALLING A WATER SOFTENER

Preparation:

Before you begin, ensure that your in-line shower filter is completely clean and dry. Please do not install your shower filter immediately after you've had a shower! Ensure there is no water on the floor of your shower or water on the sides of your bath / shower. Having any water in the area you want to install the filter will be a real hazard as you can easily slip on the water and injuire yourself. Ensure that the area is dry throughout the installation process. If water spills out of any components, please immediately take your towel and mop up it up. Ensure that your tools and filter are at hand and in easy reach.

Steps:

In situation where you are installing your in filter in a shower with a hose and hand held shower head:

Remove the hose from the water outlet pipe. When you do this residual water will flow out of the pipe, please ensure you mop up this water. Wrap the thread of the pipe (the part grooves) with about 4 revolutions of the Teflon tape, cut it and press it down. Ensure that the 'female' water inlet pipe has the washer installed in it tightly and then position the 'female' water inlet pipe end onto the 'male' water outlet pipe and turn the shower filter in a clock-wise direction, make sure that for the first few revolutions the two threads meet tightly. Then turn until the shower filter is completely installed tightly onto the shower water outlet pipe. Take the end of the shower hose that was attached to the water pipe and attach it to the 'male' end of the filter.

If installing your in line shower filter onto a fixed shower head:

First remove the head from the shower water outlet arm. When you do this residual water will flow out of the shower pipe, please ensure you mop up this water. Wrap the thread of the shower pipe (the grooves) with about 4 revolutions of the Teflon tape, cut it and press it down. Ensure that the filter 'female' water inlet pipe has the washer installed in it tightly and then position the shower filter 'female' water inlet pipe end onto the 'male' shower water outlet pipe and slowly at first turn the filter in a clock wise direction, making sure that for the first few revolutions there two threads are meeting tightly. Then turn in a quicker fashion until the shower filter is completely installed tightly onto the shower water outlet pipe. After this take the shower head that you initially removed and position it over the 'male' end of the shower filter. Ensure that you have your original washer in your fixed shower head and screw your shower head onto the 'male' end of the filter in a clock wise direction. Ensure that the seal is tight.

In both of the above installation processes. Test by turning on the water. If you find that you are getting a leak in the filter or any connections, ensure that the seals are tight in that connection. In some instances (like old showers with old connections) you may need to use the wrench to tighten the connections.

Steps To Installing An Inline Shower Filter

INSTALLING A WATER SOFTENER

Top Ten Benefits of Installing a Water Softener

Once you have experienced the benefits of soft water in your home it is highly unlikely you will go back to unsoftened water.

Here are the main reasons why:

INSTALLING A WATER SOFTENER

1. Your skin will feel softer and your hair silky and easy to manage.

2. Enjoy clothes that feel softer and towels more luxuriant.

3. No white streaks and spots on dishes and glasses. Experience sparkling cutlery and glasses instead.

4. Shower heads will be clear, sinks and baths shiny and surfaces clear of watermarks.

5. Extend the lifetime of household appliances that use water. Washing machines, kettles, boilers, central heating systems will last longer with greater intervals between servicing.

6. Save money on heating bills. A heating element free of scale is much more efficient and can save lots of money over the course of a year.

7. Use less soap, shampoo and detergents. Soft water only needs a little detergent to make a nice creamy lather. These savings add up.

8. Help the environment - With less energy used and less detergents needed this can really make a difference to your carbon footprint and lessen environmental damage.

9. Reduce time spent cleaning. With cleaner baths, sinks, taps and showers, time spend cleaning and polishing is kept to a minimum.

10. Softened water can even dissolve existing limescale deposits away over time to improve appearance and functionality.

Installing a water softener in the home can really make a difference to the quality of everyday life. With surfaces and equipment free of stains and scale your home will look cleaner and brighter. Heating systems will be more efficient and not scale up. Dishwashers and washing machines will clean better, use less detergent and last longer. Add in the extra financial savings on heating efficiency and servicing together with less soap, shampoos and detergents needed then it hard to ignore the benefits.

All this and it's much better for the environment too!

Installing a water softener is not a big undertaking and most plumbers can install one in a couple of hours, usually in the kitchen in one of the cupboards near the main sink. The only additional costs are for salt tablets that the softener needs to rejuvenate itself regularly. Most homes will find that typical 25kg bags of salt tablets will last a couple of months or so. This is an ongoing cost but is more than made up for by the savings the water softener makes in other areas.

Remember that most people who have a water softener would never go back to being without. This fact alone should be enough to entice you to find out more.

Top Ten Benefits of Installing a Water Softener

INSTALLING A WATER SOFTENER

Soften Your Water - Improve the Quality by Installing a Water Softener and Make it Taste Better!

A water softener works by effectively reducing the calcium or magnesium ion concentration in hard water. These "hardness ions" causes different kinds of problems. Firstly, the calcium and magnesium ions react with soaps and some types of detergents, reducing their ability to lather properly and in the process forms an ugly precipitate - which is the familiar scum or "bathtub ring". The presence of "hardness ions" also inhibits the cleaning effect of laundry detergents which again can cause their effectiveness to be compromised.

However, there are also more serious consequences of hard water. These hardness compounds, in particular calcium and magnesium carbonate, tend to stick to the inside of pipes and heat exchanger surfaces. The result - a scale build-up that can restrict water flow in pipes. In boilers, the deposits act as thermal insulation that impedes the flow of heat into the water; this not only reduces heating efficiency, but allows the metal to overheat which, in a pressurized system, can lead to failure. The presence of ions in an electrolyte can also lead to galvanic corrosion, in which one metal will preferentially corrode when in contact with another type of metal. The use of water softeners can aggravate this and cause sacrificial anodes in hot water heaters to corrode more quickly.

A WATER SOFTENER

Conventional water-softening devices intended for household use depend on an ion-exchange resin in which "hardness" ions trade places with sodium ions that are electrostatically bound to the anionic functional groups of the polymeric resin. A class of minerals known as zeolites also exhibits ion-exchange properties; these minerals were widely used in earlier water softeners.

Water that is extracted from wells has a particular tendency to contain hardness materials, and often causes the common hard water stains and limescale scum that forms on glass, sinks, taps and even on cars all around the world. Therefore, a water softening device can be very useful to treat waters from these types of sources, especially since many people prefer the taste of soft water that does not contain these materials. Public water systems are also susceptible to hard water, although this is much less common. However, this really depends on the source of the raw water that is being treated as the journey the water takes has a big impact on its mineral content.

Although soft water is preferable in many cases for domestic and industry, very soft water can corrode the metal pipes in which it is carried. The result of this is that the water may contain elevated levels of cadmium, copper, lead and zinc. However, that is another story!

Soften Your Water - Improve the Quality by Installing a Water Softener and Make it Taste Better!

A WATER SOFTENER

Installing Your Over Oven Microwave

For the inexperienced home owner, installing a microwave oven over your stove can be a scary endeavor. It is, however, simpler than you may think. There are two ways you can do this. One way is with the exhaust ducted to the outside and the other is to recycle the exhaust back into the house. For this article we will keep it simple and assume the exhaust is recycled into the house. Running the exterior exhaust is a topic for another day.

So your cabinets are installed and your electrician has run the wire and installed an outlet in the cabinet. You are now ready to install the microwave.

INSTALLING A WATER SOFTENER

Unpack the microwave and set the glass trey and other components aside for a minute. Now on the back of the microwave you will find a large metal bracket. Remove the bracket by loosening the screws in the upper corners. Discard the screws and remove the bracket. Now find the studs in the space for the microwave and screw the bracket to the the studs where you can and use the toggle bolts where there are no studs. Once the bracket is secured open up the plastic bag with the documents and pull out the hole template. This template gives you the dimensions for drilling the holes for the mounting screws, the external vent hook up and the power cord.

Begin now by finding your center of the cabinet. This is usually a 30" cabinet so the center is at 15". Make sure you take your measurement at the edge of the face of the cabinet where it attaches to the adjacent cabinet. Using a small square make a line from the wall to the front at the 15" mark. Now, if you look at the template you will see that all of the dimensions come off the center line and the rear of the cabinet on the inside of the lip. You must follow the dimensions exactly for things to fall into the right place. Take your measurements and make your marks for all of the bolt holes and the power cord hole. Drill the holes using the recommended drill size. Make up your filler blocks and pre drill them for the bolts. Your now ready for the microwave.

Pick up the microwave and raise it up into the bracket and slide it down until the microwave catches the hooks on the bracket. Hold the microwave down far enough to push the power cord up through the hole and set the filler blocks. Now raise it up with one hand and install the screws from inside the cabinet with the other. Hand tighten them as far as you can then finish with a screw driver. Plug in the power cord and you are done. Install the screens and the trey and your ready for use.

Installing Your Over Oven Microwave

INSTALLING A WATER SOFTENER

5 Tips For Installing Your New Refrigerator

Refrigerator installation is pretty straightforward. Unlike other appliances, it does not require a lot of hook-ups and set-ups unless you have a fridge with an internet connectivity device or a built-in water dispenser. But nonetheless, the procedures are simple to follow.

On the other hand, a lot of things can make or break installation. There are certain things you can do while installing your fridge that can make future work easier. Here are some of the things you can do:

INSTALLING A WATER SOFTENER

1. I am sure you have already decided on the place you are going to install your fridge. Carefully install the appliance. Ask someone to help you out. But do not fit it snugly to the wall. Make sure you leave at least 2 to 3 inches of space in between the wall and the back of the fridge. Why should you do this?

The fridge emits hot air that it collects from the interior. In order for it to properly emit hot air, you need to leave space at the back where the coils exhaust hot air. This will make way for proper dispersion of heat. In doing so, you can regulate temperature inside easily and prevent the machine from overworking its motor.

2. You might want to place a thin rug at the bottom of the machine. The rug will make it easier for you to pull the fridge out when cleaning its coils at the back part. If you don't have other people to help you carry or pull the fridge, you should consider placing rug at the floor so you can just pull it easily. This is also ideal if you have rough floor surface.

3. Do not immediately plug it once it has been delivered. Don't get too excited to use the machine. Most refrigerators need time to rest first after being transported. This way, the cooling mechanism will not be jolted into overworking themselves. Let it rest for about half a day. In doing this, you can prevent the machine from getting damaged easily in the future.

4. You should install your fridge away from heat-producing kitchen appliances and equipments such as your microwave or your gas range. If your microwave oven is located on the right side of the kitchen, you should install the fridge on the other side of the room.

5. Consider the walkway when installing. Open the door of the fridge and find out if you can still open and walk around easily without the obstruction of fridge door. Make sure you can also easily retrieve food inside the fridge without bumping into anything.

You should follow the correct procedures when installing your new refrigerator. Moreover, use the above-mentioned tips to avoid future refrigerator problems.

5 Tips For Installing Your New Refrigerator

INSTALLING A WATER SOFTENER

Installing an Arizona Water Softener vs Keeping Hard Water

Hard water minerals can cause damage throughout your home. Hard water hinders every cleaning task from laundering to bathing. Clothes washed in hard water may look dingy and feel scratchy. Dishes and glasses washed in hard water may contain spots as they dry. Hard water may cause a film on shower doors, shower walls, and bathtubs. Hair washed in hard water may feel sticky, unclean, and look dull. Not to mention that drinking the minerals in hard water can leave a nasty taste in your mouth.

Hard water can also be costing you more money. Hard water has been shown in studies to use more energy in gas and electric water heaters. The reason hard water requires more energy to heat water is due to the scale build up that the minerals in hard water leave in water heaters. This scale is a poor conductor of heat, as well as being damaging to other household appliances, causing annoyances such as clogging pipes, drains, and leaving scale in washers.

INSTALLING A WATER SOFTENER

Hard water reduces the lifespan of appliances, including washing machines, dishwashers, and water heaters. Hard water can also be costing you more in cleaning supplies. Hard water makes soap lathering difficult, forcing you to use more detergent and soap in your cleaning tasks.

So what are the benefits of soft water? Besides reversing all the before mentioned ills, softened water will make cleaning your house easier. It will save you money because you will use less household cleaning products, as well as save on the water heating bill.

Installing an Arizona Water Softener vs Keeping Hard Water

INSTALLING A WATER SOFTENER

Installing A Dryer Vent

Installing a dryer vent is a project you can undertake all on your own with just a little help. To get you on your way here are some helpful installation tips.

Here's tip #1 - do it right! There's nothing more distressing then coming across a dryer that's been vented wrong. Not only does it create quite a mess it can also create a major fire hazard.

INSTALLING A WATER SOFTENER

Basement venting doesn't have to be difficult. In fact it can be a piece of cake. All you need is two 90 degree bends and the odd time a third bend, and usually about 15 feet of piping. The flexible plastic pipe is tends to be the favorite pick but the true metal piping is just as easy to install and it is much more durable. Great so let's get busy.

You will need a vent cap which will be connected to the exterior wall. There are a variety of different types. The cheap ones have an opening that's around 2 ½ inches at the widest point. Save your money! Instead spend the little extra and get a good vent that has a 4 inch opening as well as louvers. You'll get a lot less air flow resistance and the louvers also deter rodents.

You can't use this style vent cap on the roof. You need a cap that sheds the rain water and has flashing built in. They aren't expensive at all. You can vent through the roof but experience says that there are usually better alternatives than the roof. Think about it - what an awful place to have to go to clean trapped lint. You can see why looking for other options is a good idea.

No matter which type of pipe you use you'll need one of the large clamps to secure the pipe to the fitting. Most of these simply require that you have a slotted screw driver. Place the clamp on the hose then tighten by turning the screw.

Tape the seam and the area around the screw once it is tightened. This will prevent lint from building up over the years. Remember duct tape is your friend.

If you do decide that venting your dryer through the roof is the right choice for you, then you will have to insulate the metal piper that is located where the cold areas are. If you don't' you are going to have a major condensation problem and leaking as well. If you live where it's warm all year round this isn't an issue for you.
Wrap with two to three inches of fiberglass insulation from the ceiling line down. Use your trusty duct tape to attach the insulation.

If you need to hang your dryer pipe use the plastic J hooks which are designed for 4 inch plumbing pipe. They are pre-punched and heavy duty. You can easily attach them where ever you need to. Simple and affordable.

Once you've completed your project check all connections and don't be afraid to use that duct tape to seal up seams or anywhere where the lint can build over time.

That's it - your done. It's really not that difficult after all. Now you can sit back and admire your handy work.

Installing A Dryer Vent

INSTALLING A WATER SOFTENER

Tips For Properly Installing Your Natural Gas Tankless Water Heater

Many consumers are choosing to upgrade their current tank water heater to the new and improved tankless water heater systems that are available. They offer the convenience so having hot water ready immediately when you want it instead of having to wait for it to heat up in a tank as with older models of water heaters. However, it is very important that you understand how to properly install your tankless water heater if you choose to do it yourself.

The most popular type of tankless water heater uses natural gas. There are some safety procedures you need to be aware of before you attempt to install one. The most important rule to follow is to make sure that the natural gas supply valve is completely turned off. You are going to need to disconnect the pipe that runs from the home to the supply of gas. After disconnecting this pipe the gas will flow into the home and it can result in death if you don't shut it off properly.

INSTALLING A WATER SOFTENER

It isn't difficult to shut off the natural gas supply, but again it is vital that you do so. There is a switch on the side of the gas meter. Move the handle so that it is in the off position. You need to make sure there is absolutely no gas allowed into your home while you are installing the natural gas tankless water heater.

Next you will need to make sure the fittings from the existing pipe match the new pipe on the natural gas tankless water heater. You can measure them on each end to find out. If they are different then you are going to need to purchase the proper fittings so that everything can be aligned properly.

Make sure you thoroughly inspect it to ensure there is enough ventilation after you have installed the natural gas tankless water heater. This includes having a vent that leads to the outside of the home. You won't be able to vent the unit to an indoor area or you run the risk of death from the natural gas being in the home.

Tips For Properly Installing Your Natural Gas Tankless Water Heater

INSTALLING A WATER SOFTENER

Benefits of Installing a Home Water Softener System

If you live in an area that has hard water there are many reasons to add a softening system to your home. When water has a high content of minerals it is considered hard water. Most commonly this means that there will be high amounts of dissolved calcium and magnesium. Water which is free of minerals other than sodium is considered soft water. When a home has a water supply that is hard there are many negative consequences including soap or shampoo that does not lather well, clothes coming out of the laundry looking dingy, bathroom fixtures which are left with chalky rings, clean glasses that will still show spots and water using appliances like coffee makers suffering from shortened lives.

In some areas chemicals are added to water on a city or district wide basis to soften water before it reaches household pipes. In an area where this is not done it is up to the homeowner to invest in a water softening system. There are a number of different types of waters softeners for home including reverse osmosis, ion exchanging, chemical, magnetic and electric water softening system installations. Some water softeners will increase sodium levels which is not healthy for some people with heart issues. It is therefore important to choose a water softening system that will best work on the particular water hardness in your areas as well as any special needs you might have.

INSTALLING A WATER SOFTENER

There are many conflicting claims regarding water hardness and health. Some studies have shown that hard water lead to some cardiovascular illnesses in men. The World Health Organization says that there is no correlation between water hardness and adverse health effects, that these studies had inadequate data.

There is little argument on the positive effects that installing a water softening system will have on washing dishes and doing laundry. Hard water prevents the lathering in soaps and detergents. When water is softened the richer lathers returns, clothes rinse cleaner and the amount of expensive detergents used can be reduced. In dishwasher hard water leaves spotting and residue on glasses and dishes as they dry. The mineral residue that is found on bathtubs or shower walls also is left behind on skin and hair. When a water softening installation is completed hair will feel softer and skin cleaner that it had previously. There is an ecological benefit to be found in the reduction on water usage that follows a change to softer water as well as the reduction in detergents and soaps.

Appliances that use water such as coffee makers, water heaters or even tea kettles will have much longer life spans after there a water softening system is installed. Scaling which is a deposit of calcium and magnesium is left behind as water is heated in these appliances. Pipes can become clogged with this scaling as well which can cause reduced water flow and eventually may lead to pipes needing to be replaced. While there is an expense that must be paid to install a water softener there is tremendous savings that can be realized by not having to repair or replace these items.

Benefits of Installing a Home Water Softener System

INSTALLING A WATER SOFTENER

Installing A Toilet Fill Valve

You usually don't notice anything leaking outside the toilet when a ball cock goes bad because the excess water escapes through the flush valve. What you do notice however, is that the toilet continues to run, if only slightly.

Fill valves usually come in a couple of different styles. There is the "ball cock" which has an arm with a float ball on the end of it and the other style (which I prefer) the "fluidmaster" which has a rail and a float that rides straight up on the rail. Either way, when the fill valve goes bad and fails to shut off, it can be a nuisance. Fortunately, it is fairly simple to replace a toilet fill valve. You will need a new fluidmaster and a fresh supply line which is optional but recommended. You will also need a pair of channel locks and an adjustable end wrench.

INSTALLING A WATER SOFTENER

After you have your new valve, supply line and tools, the first thing you need to do is put the rubber gasket that came with the new fill valve on the bottom of it. This makes the seal between the valve and the toilet tank. Then shut the water off to the toilet and push the flush handle down and hold it until tank finishes draining. Take the supply line off the old fill valve and shut off. Use your channel locks to remove the nut that holds the valve to the tank. After you remove the nut, put your hand over the hole in the tank as you pull the old fill valve up and out of the tank to keep any water left in the tank from leaking onto the floor.

Take the new fluidmaster and slide it down through the hole in the tank, pushing your hand from the bottom of the tank and making the new seal at the same time. Put the nut on the bottom of the valve and reconnect the supply line. Don't forget to run the little tube from the top of your new valve to the larger white tube that runs from the center of your tank down to the bowl.

This is a simple job for the average handyman, but if you get into a tight spot, you can always ask the guys at your favorite home improvement store. So if you are getting tired of hearing your toilet running constantly, grab some tools, get the parts and have fun, I'll bet you can do it.

Installing A Toilet Fill Valve

INSTALLING A WATER SOFTENER

Is Installing a Whole House Water Softener Difficult?

With the gaining popularity of the whole house water softener systems, homeowners everywhere are trying to find a way to improve their home in this manner without completely wasting away their savings accounts. This leads many homeowners to wonder if they could get by with purchasing a system that is on sale online or in a local home improvement store and then installing it for themselves.

While putting in your own water softener system may save you a lot of time and money, there are some disadvantages which must be considered prior to making this decision. If you don't know enough about your home plumbing system you may mistakes unknowingly. These mistakes may not be noticed by you right off, but in the future they could compromise the effectiveness of your softening unit or lead to other problems.

INSTALLING A WATER SOFTENER

Also, if you decide to install your own whole house water softener system you will have no one to call on in the event something goes wrong. You are dealing with the plumbing and water supply to your home, so you should at least have the phone number to a good plumber on hand who would be willing to come out last minute to help if necessary.

For someone with basic plumbing knowledge, installing a home water softening system is not very difficult. There aren't too many mistakes which could lead to serious problems and if you follow the directions exactly as they are presented in the product manual you should encounter very few problems.

As long as you are willing to spend the required time to do every step of the installation correctly, then you should be able to put in your own whole house water softener without problems. That said, it does take some time to get healthier, softer water flowing into all areas of your home, so you have to clear your schedule and spend the day working on this home improvement project.

Before you decide to install your own system, make sure that you know where the unit should be placed within your home and how it will be connected into your water supply. You have to read the directions and all warnings through first and then determine that you have the knowledge needed to put in the system on your own.

You may also want to make sure you know where the main water shut-off for your home is since you will need to stop all water flow into the home prior to setting up your new system. This shut-off valve could be inside your home, such as in a basement, but it is also likely to be outside. If you aren't sure what or where this is, then you should consider hiring a plumber or other service to come into your home and install the unit for you.

It's true you could save a bit of cash by installing your own whole house water softener system, but you have to make sure you have the required knowledge and tools before you get started. Having someone else com into your home for the installation is one thing, but having them come in to fix mistakes that you made or complete a project that you started but could not finish is another thing entirely! Read the directions thoroughly and then honestly assess whether you have the knowledge or time required to do the project on your own.

Is Installing a Whole House Water Softener Difficult?

INSTALLING A WATER SOFTENER