Thank you guys for walking through this process. I don't think anyone else here on TH-cam ever walked their viewers through these steps and explained the process in such great details. You got yourself a subscriber. Keep it up!
So these professionals glued the PVC manifold back together without unions to allow disconnect and recharging in the future of the system. BRILLIANT....job well done!
Over many years I have learned so many things. Both for my own remodeling, and to help others with their remodeling jobs. If for nothing more than to get the verbiage correct. Its very helpfull to be able to name the items being used. And to have a understanding as to how they work, or operate in your home! The Experts on these serieses, are extremely helpful in how there take the time to both show and talk we the viewers through the processes! This is extremely important to have a correct remodeling job, but to understand how it all happens! Thanks to everyone involved with THIS OLD HOUSE!!
My Rainsoft is 34 years old and I've never replaced resin beads. It still softens the water, but the control valve now leaks. I inquired about getting it fixed, but everyone says I would need a new system because of age of system. Watching this makes me wonder if valve and resin could be replaced only and not get a new system. Any thoughts?
I am on well water and just had a professional install a media filter before the softener, he also installed a chlorinator at the well pump. I read in the comments that chlorine is hard on the plastic parts. What is the purpose of the chlorinator and is it necessary. Or is this just job security?
I have the same system at my home that hasn't been used in 10 years, it still looks new. Should I replace the resin? Do I need to clean the system someone how?
Before going through that process, I would recommend purchasing a bottle of Res Care Resin Cleaner and a pack of Sani-System Water Softener Sanitizer. You can pour both down the brine well and the regenerate the water softener. This could bring back the resin to life and also sanitize water softener.
my area charges about $250 to do this maintenance... but from the looks of it, it looks straightforward enough to do this on our own. am I missing anything, or should a specialist be hired to do this work?
It looks straight forward...I'm not sure where a person can purchase resin beads, if you plumb it wrong...if your settings are wrong after you plug the system back in..yes you need power to the unit. If you do it wrong, even a little it could cost way more than $250
Donald Yip yea easy till you screw it up and then panic because it all stops working or is broken. Then you have to call an actual expert in that field to unfuck the mess a homeowner screwed up. See it daily with when homeowners screw up their furnaces and AC. “I seen it on TH-cam and it’s too easy....”
Unless the tank fails and contaminates them, then no they do not need to be changed. I find water softener systems on the curb every so many years and I refurbish them back to new and sell them. They cost a fortune through a company so a lot of people look for used ones and then have the company hook up the used one (or hook it up themselves) so they only pay labor fee.
@@MrWolfSnack Do you know what would cause my controller to say 0 gallons remaining even after a regen cycle? iIt's been stuck on 0 for the past three days even though I know that the system has run at least twice. Once was on manual. One company told me that the beads are bad and I have to replace my tank. I opened the panel on the controller and reset yet it is still at 0.
Peter Pearson Chlorine found in municipal water supplies can reduce the life of the resin. You should always install a whole house carbon tank ahead of the softener to take out disinfectant chlorine.
Depends on owners manual. Mine says 10 to 15 years. Ours has been in place for 14 and we still have very soft water. Probably going to replace in the next 12 months just cause
this is the only video I've seen where a gravel bed is added. Is this an optional thing? Best practice? How much gravel do I add? If you don't add it what happens?
wait a minute the first guy says the rain water flows thru the aquafir and collects calcium but the second guy says the clorine in the water eats up the plastic parts,So which is it ,well water from the aquafir or city water with chlorine,???????
We have a water softener and our plumbing pipes are getting clogged from the regeneration process causing our kitchen drain to clog should this be happening? Gunk is coming up the drain looks like what is shown here in this video. Any help would be appreciated.
This is how many Physicians are. They make a huge deal of their job because educationally wise they are "high" up there. Then they realize in life and at least in the United States it helps to be a "well rounded person" and in fact in many cases those that are not doctors/engineers still can live pretty good lives. I have an engineering background and went to college (BS and MS). But at the same time I'm a very hands on person, I've repacked water softener media.
You run into a lot of arrogant people like him that look down at physical labor jobs. Simple don’t be an arrogant ass because if the doctors were so much smarter then the rest of people they would need HVAC techs to fix and repair their heating and cooling or plumbers to fix their piping.
I install many softeners with crawl spaces. We put them in a closet or other space. Plumb the system through the floor. I'm guessing they don't wanna get dirty lol
you never use block salt, u dont have enough contact time with salt and water around it, amd that 5600 fleck they r using is a generic head, use hague products, or aqua systems both made in the USA all the way every part
Has anyone had iron bacteria contaminate the tank? If so would cleaning the system and replacing the bedding be sufficient enough to get the system back to functioning? Just bought the house and its an expensive system. Don't have money to spend on a new system.
Andre Davis If it is really bad, you might have to add an iron clear system to it. It oxidizes the iron with one tank, clears it out with another, all before going to the softening system. It could be a few $$ but the best way I've seen to continually keep iron out.
Bogus, replace the fitter basket for $30, do a clean/regen and you've repaired it. 10 year old head? i know people with 40 year old units still working great with regular maintenance. Video should be titled "how to replace a water softener"
I did my own with new resin I bought off of eBay for $92. This new resin should last about 10 years. Replace the control head? Not necessary. Annual service? Definitely not necessary. Just keep the brine tank filled with salt.
You don't need to replace the control head after just 19 years. Anyone telling you that you do is cheating you out of your hard earned money!! Mine has been working for more than 40 years in an environment many times more corrosive than this!
@@jeremyd6775 They shouldn't tell you that you are in "over your head" on something as INCREDIBLY simple as a water softener....it's not like they're installing a new breaker panel...if you can't do a water softener you should not be watching this show.
@@ryanroberts1104 Ya, because telling a potential customer to go ahead disassemble the head and replace the o-rings would go so well. Customers add salt and call when it doesn't work.
Thank you guys for walking through this process. I don't think anyone else here on TH-cam ever walked their viewers through these steps and explained the process in such great details. You got yourself a subscriber. Keep it up!
So these professionals glued the PVC manifold back together without unions to allow disconnect and recharging in the future of the system. BRILLIANT....job well done!
Jerry White - Job security dude.
It is also installed outside in case you did not notice. A big no no.
MrWolfSnack - Yep, and much of the unit is plastic which is known for not doing well in sunlight.
@@tommytmt Most pool contractors no to paint PVC pipe for pumps and filters to block the UV rays of the Sun.
Jerry White - Well did he? Because it didn’t look like it.
Over many years I have learned so many things. Both for my own remodeling, and to help others with their remodeling jobs. If for nothing more than to get the verbiage correct. Its very helpfull to be able to name the items being used. And to have a understanding as to how they work, or operate in your home! The Experts on these serieses, are extremely helpful in how there take the time to both show and talk we the viewers through the processes! This is extremely important to have a correct remodeling job, but to understand how it all happens! Thanks to everyone involved with THIS OLD HOUSE!!
Richard Schreiber Yes Sir, spoken like a true gentleman and scholar, or at the least...
Someone that knows what the heck they are talking about. Lol
Awesome vid! Very concise, easy to understand explanation of how a water softener system works.
So how far did Richard have to travel to meet with these people and tell therm... "Call an expert!"???
Far enough to make a VIDEO... you know, his job.
Lol
My Rainsoft is 34 years old and I've never replaced resin beads. It still softens the water, but the control valve now leaks. I inquired about getting it fixed, but everyone says I would need a new system because of age of system. Watching this makes me wonder if valve and resin could be replaced only and not get a new system. Any thoughts?
Never seen a water softner put outside before
I was thinking the same thing , no wonder it f'd up
"Eww! Is this good for you?" ... no response lol
yea that guy musta got in an argument with the wife right before arriving...he did not seem happy
Great Video!!! Thank you, exactly what I was hoping for.
I am on well water and just had a professional install a media filter before the softener, he also installed a chlorinator at the well pump. I read in the comments that chlorine is hard on the plastic parts. What is the purpose of the chlorinator and is it necessary. Or is this just job security?
To kill any organics. Bacteria, virus, fungus.
I have the same system at my home that hasn't been used in 10 years, it still looks new. Should I replace the resin? Do I need to clean the system someone how?
Anybody know the name of the gravel they add first??? Thank u for the video!!!
Woah! The technician is using an Acqualung wrist watch!
Before going through that process, I would recommend purchasing a bottle of Res Care Resin Cleaner and a pack of Sani-System Water Softener Sanitizer. You can pour both down the brine well and the regenerate the water softener. This could bring back the resin to life and also sanitize water softener.
The strainer at the bottom of the dip tube was cracked. Your solution would not have remedied the problem.
Where can you purchase Resin Cleaner and Water Softener Sanitizer??
Iron out also work supposedly
my area charges about $250 to do this maintenance... but from the looks of it, it looks straightforward enough to do this on our own. am I missing anything, or should a specialist be hired to do this work?
Donald Yip piece of cake. I did it last year. Just gotta buy the funnel and the resin. About 150 in parts.
It looks straight forward...I'm not sure where a person can purchase resin beads, if you plumb it wrong...if your settings are wrong after you plug the system back in..yes you need power to the unit. If you do it wrong, even a little it could cost way more than $250
Donald Yip yea easy till you screw it up and then panic because it all stops working or is broken. Then you have to call an actual expert in that field to unfuck the mess a homeowner screwed up. See it daily with when homeowners screw up their furnaces and AC. “I seen it on TH-cam and it’s too easy....”
@@Samlol23_drrich I made my own funnel from an empty laundry detergent jug. Perfect fit.
How does the unit discharge? does it use gravity or is there a motor that pushes the discharge out to the drain?
"Get the resin beads changed often" what the heck?? I thought that was the point of the brine tank. The salt recharges the beads.
That's what I thought... I heard the resin beads last up to 20 yrs
Unless the tank fails and contaminates them, then no they do not need to be changed. I find water softener systems on the curb every so many years and I refurbish them back to new and sell them. They cost a fortune through a company so a lot of people look for used ones and then have the company hook up the used one (or hook it up themselves) so they only pay labor fee.
@@MrWolfSnack Do you know what would cause my controller to say 0 gallons remaining even after a regen cycle? iIt's been stuck on 0 for the past three days even though I know that the system has run at least twice. Once was on manual. One company told me that the beads are bad and I have to replace my tank. I opened the panel on the controller and reset yet it is still at 0.
Peter Pearson Chlorine found in municipal water supplies can reduce the life of the resin. You should always install a whole house carbon tank ahead of the softener to take out disinfectant chlorine.
@@MrWolfSnack What if the tank doesn't fail but the system sits unused for a decade, can I still use it?
And oh, I wish we had this kinda product here in Brazil.
They should build a shed and put the softener inside.
Is this fix cheaper than buying a new water softener given labor etc.?
How often do you need to replace the resin beads?
every 5 years
Depends on owners manual. Mine says 10 to 15 years. Ours has been in place for 14 and we still have very soft water. Probably going to replace in the next 12 months just cause
this is the only video I've seen where a gravel bed is added. Is this an optional thing? Best practice? How much gravel do I add? If you don't add it what happens?
Typically advised for people with iron in their water IIRC
wait a minute the first guy says the rain water flows thru the aquafir and collects calcium but the second guy says the clorine in the water eats up the plastic parts,So which is it ,well water from the aquafir or city water with chlorine,???????
We have a water softener and our plumbing pipes are getting clogged from the regeneration process causing our kitchen drain to clog should this be happening? Gunk is coming up the drain looks like what is shown here in this video. Any help would be appreciated.
Your water softener isn’t the cause of your drains plugging up it’s what’s going down the drains that’s causing your problem
Interesting that they replaced the Rainsoft valve with a different brand.
Probably a takeover scam. Lol
should have used SS flex lines. makes servicing the filter much easier.
SS? why not gold plated. MONSTER BRAND WATER LINES
I think the tank is sitting a couple inches into the ground? Otherwise it might tip over time
What a job! Pain in the ass! I would hate hard water!
Hi! I have a question after I do the maintenance what should I do with the old salt?
The salt will dissolve away. You won't need to get rid of it, it will disappear on its own.
Interesting how the doctor brags about his job, says how easy plumbing must be, and then disappears when it comes time to actually work.
;)
This is how many Physicians are. They make a huge deal of their job because educationally wise they are "high" up there. Then they realize in life and at least in the United States it helps to be a "well rounded person" and in fact in many cases those that are not doctors/engineers still can live pretty good lives. I have an engineering background and went to college (BS and MS). But at the same time I'm a very hands on person, I've repacked water softener media.
So, I'm supposed to want a plumber to come to the hospital and put a stent in my heart?
You run into a lot of arrogant people like him that look down at physical labor jobs. Simple don’t be an arrogant ass because if the doctors were so much smarter then the rest of people they would need HVAC techs to fix and repair their heating and cooling or plumbers to fix their piping.
Lots of jealous clods in here. Lol
@@shazaidi how often do you replace the ion exchange resins beads?
So glad I don’t live in an area that needs this
Why is 1080p the only option?
I have never seen a water softener installed outside - exposed to the elements.
Its mostly fine but definitely should to be in shade
My softener is outside in the sun
y is the Water Softener outside? i have 1 & its in the basement.
They don't have a basement, just a crawl space.
Charles Damery o ok i did not no that. thanks for telling me. :)
I install many softeners with crawl spaces. We put them in a closet or other space. Plumb the system through the floor.
I'm guessing they don't wanna get dirty lol
Must not freeze there?
A very common practice in the south, especially Florida.
Rain soft - yesterday's technology at tomorrow's prices
Actually world class products. RainSoft is owned by Pentair, and manufactured in Chicago. Culligan products are manufactured exclusively in China.
you never use block salt, u dont have enough contact time with salt and water around it, amd that 5600 fleck they r using is a generic head, use hague products, or aqua systems both made in the USA all the way every part
I wouldn't use block just because pellets are more available, but they're regenerating every 3 days, plenty of time to saturate the solution.
No idea on block vs granules, but all parts US made sounds great and like a big headache saver.
Backwashing once a day? Lol
Is the that a fleck head unit?
Jtinnon yes, that is a Fleck 5600 timeclock
Rain Soft has a lifetime warranty... "supposedly".
Has anyone had iron bacteria contaminate the tank? If so would cleaning the system and replacing the bedding be sufficient enough to get the system back to functioning? Just bought the house and its an expensive system. Don't have money to spend on a new system.
Andrew Davis it could help temporarily but will likely come back. Shock / chlorinate your well first then rebed the softener.
Andre Davis
If it is really bad, you might have to add an iron clear system to it. It oxidizes the iron with one tank, clears it out with another, all before going to the softening system.
It could be a few $$ but the best way I've seen to continually keep iron out.
Definitely not in New England.
it was in New England, it's just warmer now that Global Warming
Bogus, replace the fitter basket for $30, do a clean/regen and you've repaired it. 10 year old head? i know people with 40 year old units still working great with regular maintenance. Video should be titled "how to replace a water softener"
I mean the resin could still be shot, chlorine does a number on it.
Whats the point of this shot 2:31 to 2:37 ?
Bruce David . Sometimes people’s comments just crack me up.
I did my own with new resin I bought off of eBay for $92. This new resin should last about 10 years.
Replace the control head? Not necessary.
Annual service? Definitely not necessary.
Just keep the brine tank filled with salt.
Good luck with your junk online resin.
If I wanted to hear "Call in an expert", I would just buy a new softener.
You don't need to replace the control head after just 19 years. Anyone telling you that you do is cheating you out of your hard earned money!! Mine has been working for more than 40 years in an environment many times more corrosive than this!
Get rid of the RainSoft unit and get a maintenance free Avanta Pure Water Treatment System.
the fix on this softener cost less then a new unit of either brand
Jon Homrich what? The yearly rebuild will add up
Maintenance free eh?
TOO EXPENSIVE
Maintenance free? That statement alone tells me never buy your system.
Lord the acting in these is C grade jesus.... What . Should . We . Do
Looks like roe
"How to repair a water softener" Step only: call an expert. How has this show stayed on the air for 40 years?
DIY shows shouldn’t shy away from letting you know when you’re in over your head
@@jeremyd6775 They shouldn't tell you that you are in "over your head" on something as INCREDIBLY simple as a water softener....it's not like they're installing a new breaker panel...if you can't do a water softener you should not be watching this show.
@@ryanroberts1104 Ya, because telling a potential customer to go ahead disassemble the head and replace the o-rings would go so well. Customers add salt and call when it doesn't work.
a $30 dip tube and strainer would have done the job.
PBS 😆
Wow, an outdoor water softener with uninsulated outdoor plumbing. That would be destroyed in 99% of the US.
They need a filter or reverse osmosis to take the chlorine out of the water.
barf245
reverse osmosis filters usually clog and are no good after chlorine goes through it.
A pre-filter that filters chlorine would do.
ONLY CARBON TAKES CHLORINE OUT
The husband dissapeared ;)
He's a surgeon. He told you he was. He's busy.
c
Poor manners, didnt hear one please or thank you.
The Entitled Class
They could have edited that out
Lol is that cpvc?
Dan Nichols
Yup. Keep that out in the sun for a while lol
Most homes with water softeners don't need them.
It's good video, but who can do by himself. On this video two high level pro fix this. What we can learning from this video nothing.
Ew. Puts pipe on floor. Then into clean tank.