Water softeners can make life so much easier in areas where the water is really hard. Once your water starts passing through the softener, you should notice that your soap lathers better, you get a lot less residue on clothing and in sinks, and your appliances last longer without developing mineral buildup. But what does the process of actually having a water softener installed look like? Here's what you can expect.

Who installs water softeners?

Sometimes you can have a water softener installed by a representative of the company that makes the units. But usually, a water softener will be installed by a plumber. Your plumber may work with a couple of different brands, and they can recommend the water softener that best suits your needs.

Where will the water softener go?

If your home has a basement or a crawlspace, that is where the water softener will go. Plumbers usually prefer to install them right up against the wall, not far from where the main water pipe comes into your home. This saves them from having to run too much pipe to and from the water softener. 

Will the water softener treat all of your water?

Yes. In almost all cases, your plumber will install the water softener so that all of your water passes through it after entering your home. In other words, any water that passes through your pipes to go to your water heater, sinks, toilets, washing machine, or other appliances will have first traveled through the water softener.

Do water softeners need electricity?

Yes. Water softeners do need to be connected to power. If there is no power available in the area where your plumber wants to install the water softener, they may need to run a new line. Some plumbers can do this themselves if they have experience with electrical work. In other cases, they can hire an electrician to come in and do this part for them. 

Why does the water softener need a drain?

If you see your plumber connecting a line from the water softener to a basement drain, that's just for the flush water. Every so often, a water softener has to rinse itself out, removing all of the minerals it has accumulated from your water. That rinse water gets sent down the drain.

Hopefully, you now have a better idea of what happens and what is required when you have a water softener installed. Contact a local water softener system installation service to learn more.