PLAN YOUR INSTALLATION
SECTION 2
2B.TOOLS,PIPEANDFITTINGS,OTHERMATERIALSNEEDED
Youmustfirstdecidehowtoruninandoutpipes
to the softener. Look at your house main water
pipeatthepointyouwillconnectthesoftener.Is
the pipe soldered copper, glued plastic, or
threaded galvanized or brass? What is the pipe
size? What kind of pipe and fittings is it easiest
for you to work with, and what tools do you
have?
Now look at the common plans for in and out
piping on pages 10 (soldered copper) and 11
(threaded). Select the drawing best for you and
use it as a guide to plan what materials you will
need. As you plan your in and out piping, keep
in mind thefollowing check list. Then get allthe
materials you will need before you start.
NOTE:
Use page 9 to make a plan drawing for your
specific installation.
Some models may include a plastic bypass
valve, an installation kit and a length of drain
tubing.
4In and out pipes to the softener must be at
least 3/4 in. size. Some local codes may tell
youtousenolessthan1in.pipesize(seeNote
on pages 10 or 11). You should maintain the
same, or larger, pipe size as the water supply
pipe, up to the softener inlet and outlet.
4Usecopper,brass,orgalvanizedpipeandfit-
tings.Somecodesmayalsoallow CPVCplas-
tic pipe.
4Copper and galvanized pipe corrode fast
when connected together. Use pipe and fit-
tings of the same material.
4You can buy adaptors to go from a copper or
threadedmainwaterpipetoCPVCinandout
pipe.
4Sears has kits and bypass valves you can buy
to help make installing your softener easier.
See pages 10 and 11.
4ALWAYS install a bypass valve or valves. Ei-
theruse 3shut-offvalves,or1of Searsspecial
valves.Bypassvalvesletyouturnoffwaterto
the softener if needed to make repairs, but
still have water in the house pipes.
4Drain tubing (3/8 in. inside diameter) is
needed for valve and salt tank drains. See
steps 1 and 2 on pages16 and 17. Somemod-
els include a length of drain tubing, or you
can buy it at most Sears stores.
Ifarigidvalvedrainisneededtocomplywith
plumbing codes, you can buy the partsneed-
ed(seepage16)tochangethesoftenertoa1/2
in. copper tubing drain.
4TOOLS NEEDED:—Common and cross
point(Phillips)screwdrivers, slip jointpliers
and a tape measure or rule. ALSO¼
¼for SOLDERED COPPER —tubing cutter,
propanetorch,solid-coreLEAD-FREEsolder,
paste flux, emery cloth, sandpaper or steel
wool.
¼for THREADED PIPE —hacksaw or pipe
cutter, pipe wrenches, pipe threading tool,
pipejointcompoundapprovedforuseonpo-
table water.
¼forCPVCPLASTIC—hacksaw,adjustable
wrench, solvent cement approved for use on
potable water, primer.
