Water Softeners and Air Filtration Systems - Fleck 7000 plumbing

Hi,

I had a local company come by and they recommended the Fleck 7000. This system seems to fit my needs and I'm ready to buy but I have a concern with the plumbing. The company said it would be fine to set up this system even though my water main is 3/4". The Fleck 7000 has 1"-1.5" plumbing connections. Would it be okay to go from 3/4" water main to 1"-1.5" Fleck back to 3/4" into the house? Also, there is no space available to accomodate the water softener near the water main. Is it a problem to install the softener about 30 feet away? Will this impact water pressure? The good thing about installing 30 feet away is that the drain is now 6 feet away!

Thanks in advance!

The Fleck 7000 valve has 1 1/4" connections and will not be a problem working with 3/4" plumbing. Based on your water hardness, the capacity I'm sure was recommended to you. The plumbing run you mention should not be a problem depending on your fixture count, incoming water pressure, and plumbing route to & from the system. Could you offer more details (water hardness, resin capacity, # bathrooms, # of persons, & water pressure) to confirm? Thanks.

Art

Hi Art,

The water hardness is 8-9, 1.5 cf resin capacity, 2 bathrooms, 4 persons, and the water pressure is 40-45 psi.
Click here for a birds-eye view diagram of the planned outdoor installation. http://www.geocities.com/jlkromero/watersoftenerinstall.jpg

Thanks

hi jlkromero,

Quick questions about the drawing...
1. Looks like the softener site is at the rear of the home, is there a fence or gate by the water main intersecting the driveway?
2. If you could locate the softener close to the main, could you drive your vehicle thru the driveway to the rear of the house (where I guess your garage is located)?

The reason why I point this out is with your water pressure around 40-45 psi, the farther your softener from the water main, the more of a pressure drop you'll experience. I'm a big advocate of locating the softener as close to the main as possible to minimize pressure loss, and decrease plumbing expense. Your drain line in 1/2" pvc can easily make that run to your clean out location.

BTW, your layout is exactly like mine and I have my drain line running down and to the rear of the house.
The garage was not an option due to the width of driveway (about 40') to the nearest point in to the garage. We experience minimal pressure loss but start with about 70psi. Hope this info helps.

Art

Hi jlkromero,

Do you live in a temperate climate? With the softener outside of the house FREEZING will be a consideration.

jlkromero,

Since the winter temperature is usually mild here, I forget about the rest of the country. Thanks justalurker.

Art

Hi Art,

Yes, I want to install the water softener at the rear corner of the house.. in that nook. There is no fence or gate and the water main is on a 12" flower bed which separates the wall and the driveway. I could install the softener closer to the water main (I would have to remove some of the hedges and install some concrete squares - and get the wife's approval!!) but then the softener will stick out like a sore thumb since it'll be near the front of the house. I did a little more research on the water pressure and the city's website says 58-60 PSI.

The winter weather here in Pearland, TX is mild, it never freezes.

Thanks!

you can always get a water pressure gauge at the hardware store and check your p.s.i. from the hose bib at the water main to get a starting point. One other thing we folks here in CA have in the suburbs is plenty of fences between neighbors!

You should be ok with the plumbing run. Once your wife hears that she'll be able to experience a luxurious spa like experience taking a soft water bath, she'll probably help lay down the concrete pavers!

Good luck with the rest of the install and drop a line with the results. Thanks.

Art

Well... I haven't installed just yet. The company I'm buying from is recommending I not install outdoors because of the electronics in the water softener. The local company didn't say much about outdoor installation except that it would be installed outdoors. If your water softener is installed outdoors, did you install anything else to prevent it from being exposed to the elements?

Thanks!

If the local company is installing, or is aware that your softener will be installed outdoors, then they will stand behind the installation and honor the warranty. Make sure that is noted on your receipt. Is the local company that agreed with your outdoor install doing the install? If they are, ask them what they do differently in outdoor installations.

A different company that you've chosen to buy from is recommending you not install outdoors. Are you saying they won't stand behind the warranty?

If you are doing the install yourself, regardless of the source of the softener, then you take the risk. If the softener has a problem that can be attributed to either the install or the install location then you shouldn't expect warranty coverage.

You have a choice to make. A local dealer that inspected your site, made a recommendation, looked you in the eye and agreed with your install location OR another company that doesn't agree with your install location.

Either way the softener will need to be protected from the elements. Heat, cold, water, rain, snow (not in TX I guess?), and direct sunlight.

Heat and sun will degrade the plastic (polymer) components of your softener as well as promote bacterial growth in certain circumstances. Rain or humidity will harm the electronics as will temerature changes.

I have personally seem quite a few softeners installed outside, in sheds, and in crawl spaces (with the proper considerations) that work just fine. These specific installations were done professionally and that may or may not be a factor in their reliable service and customer satisfaction.