[Bubbleboy]

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

[KISS]

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.

[Bubbleboy]

@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.

[speedball1]

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.

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.

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

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

[KISS]

Tom:

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