Hello everyone, it's been about 2 months now with the PRV, and things are still in one piece. I just wanted to say a belated thanks everyone for their input, as we recently had a new addition to the family.

With the little girl now about 2months old, we had decided to purchase a water softener. We got the Kenmore ultrasoft 800 (budget constraints).

Does anyone have any tips/advice for plumbing water softeners before I start?

Thanks,
Bubbles

You should have had your water tested first. Iron has to handled separately. Remember to put in a bypass.

Some areas should not be softened like outdoor faucets.

@Keep - I've tested the water yesterday. It's not that hard (@10), but the buildup is still quite a lot. Only reason to get it was for the baby.. Tested Iron and aparently we are OK on that front. This was done @Sears as they have the testing service since they sell the softeners.

The unit I bought came with a bypass valve attachment. With regards to the hose bibs outside, I can't do much about that. They will be softened since the basement was finished when we bought the house. :(
I don't plan on cutting holes here and there to re-route/add piping.

Thanks for the info Keep.

Cheers,
Bubbles.

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Originally Posted by ;

Expansion tanks are just that, for expansion. They are a spring loaded tank and can work in any position. They are not a bladder tank used to increase pressure.

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Say what?
KISS, I think you got it little wrong here. Expansion tanks are not spring loaded, (see image). They have a membrane and are considered bladder tanks.

Quote:

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An expansion tank would be placed on the cold water, typically anywhere but at the input of the water heater.

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That's exactly where they go, (see image).
Sorry! I didn't intend to star my day off with a correction. Milo, why didn't you pick up on this? Or am I missing something here? Regards, Tom

Tom:

Sorry about the spring-loaded reference. They can be bladder, diaphram or bladder/diaphram based typically using air as the compressable medium.