Rheem Performance Platinum 42,000 Grain Water Softener with WiFi - Part 1
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Part 1 - Install - • Rheem Performance Plat...
Part 2 - Cleaning - • Cleaning the Rheem Pre...
Part 3 - WiFi Setup - • Rheem Water Softener W...
Part 4 - Updating the install after 2 years - • Rheem Platinum Water S...
Installed the Rheem 42,000 grain water softener. It was a simple install for a homeowner with a few skills. My water ppm went to 0 from 250. If you are not so skilled and don't want to try and DIY a problem, I recommended getting an extended warranty for a few dollars from Home Depot (if you purchased your unit there). Then the problem of diagnosing or finding a repair person is up to Home Depot.
See more details at:
www.homedepot.com/p/Rheem-Pre...
by texasStronger
Stainless flex hose connectors:
www.homedepot.com/p/1-in-FIP-...
A note on cleaning: Open the top to the small tank inside the large tank. Pour one bottle of the Rheem cleaner into the small tank. Cover the small tank. If you want to recharge right now, press an hold the Recharge button for 3 seconds until Recharge flashes. The unit will recharge for a few hours. Try not to use water as it will not be softened at this time. If you want to recharge tonight like I usually do, press the Recharge button quickly but don't hold it. Recharge tonight will appear. The unit will recharge tonight at the normal recharge time. - แนวปฏิบัติและการใช้ชีวิต
Great video. Thank you!! My old Whirlpool just died yesterday and won’t come out of fast rinse so time for a new one and since they don’t sell whirlpool anymore I think I’m going to go with Rheem.. my other option is AO Smith but I think Rheem would be a wiser choice. Thx
Thanks, safety first.
Dimensions 16" wide (front) x 23" deep (to back of inlet valve) x 45" tall. It is 64" tall with the top up.
I'm installing this unit right now... The depth on this thing is more than I anticipated with the input and output piece attached at the rear of the unit. Add another 6 inches to the dimensions prior to install... You need a good 26 inches clearance front to back, as the manual only gives you half of the measurement at 20 1/2", it does not include the valve clearance needed. So, I have had to reposition this new softener to the other side of the basement, which meant adding a drain line, extending the inlet and outlet lines, and an electrical outlet. I have all of the parts to do that already, took more time to install, of course. I just hope this thing lasts a bit. So, make sure you have the room for this unit, as it is deeper than most will anticipate.
Yeah, I had to turn mine at an angle. But working great for eight months now.
Very helpful. Thanks.
You're welcome!
2 questions:
1. how many bathrooms is this water softener servicing?
2. has there been a change in your water pressure? (reason I'm asking this is because some forums talk about staying away from big box store softeners since they don't follow plumbing code when it comes to flow rate requirements, e.g. this Rheem, according to its spec sheets, states 11.5gpm whereas plumbing code requires 16.8gpm for 2bath, 18.5gpm for 3bath, and 21.1gpm for 4bath)
thanks!
My softener services four bathrooms (bath, sink, toilet), four additional sinks, a clothes washer, and a dishwasher. Whatever my flow rate is, it is enough. The shower water comes out with force. Call or email Rheem with your question. They are good at responding.
Thank you for the video. I did not add the 3 gallons of water and now noticing the salt level is the same. Is that the reason of not adding the water ?
Go ahead and add the water as it cant' hurt. But if your softener has been running, it probably isn't necessary. The salt goes down very very slowly. Get a water hardness test kit with strips and test your outside water vs. the treated water. Mine went from 250 to 0. This means the softener is working. You can also look in comments at David Van's question and answer as to how to see how many times the unit has recharged via the buttons on the softener. You can estimate salt used by the level it dropped and number of recharges.
Hello we installed the new system what would cause my water to be salty and cloudy? I regenerated the system and no one used any water during this time. I set the water hardness on the same number as the old system was at 50
Is your water really 50? I used water hardness testing strips. I live in central texas where our water comes from limestone rock lakes. My water measured at 250 on the strips, which 250 /17 gives me a 14 setting for water softener. I am wondering if yours should be set to 50 / 17 = 3... Plus or minus based on iron or the number of people using the water. Just search the web for examples.
Read your review on HomeDepot. Where did you get the metal hoses? I can't seem to find them.
www.homedepot.com/p/3-4-in-FIP-x-3-4-in-FIP-x-18-in-Stainless-Steel-Corrugated-Water-Connector-EBWC-07-18/205422560
Once you put the first 3 gallons of water and salt into the tank, is it necessary to keep adding water manual every time you put in salt ??
Not necessary. The first time is for factory cleaning.
How often do you let it recharge ? I set it to auto but doesn't seem like it does anything and I have to do it manually
L B see the comment below by David Van and the reply instruction on how to see how many recharges are occuring. The system is very quiet. I would also have to listen for it at 2:00 am which is my set recharge time.
Just installed one about a month ago. Not sure I really notice a difference. Is there supposed to be water in the tank at all or does the water run through the salt at the bottom of the tank. My tank just looks like a dry mountain of salt pellets.
You won't see water in the main tank unless you watch it during regeneration which on my softener is 0200 am. The water is cleaned through the resin which is not visible. During regen, the water enters the salt area and then flushes the resin. Most of the time, it looks like a mountain of salt. You can tell if the softener is working by 1) the salt level falls over time and 2) you perform a water hardness test with a kit to see 'softened' water.
I am confused about the size of the hoses. The manual says 1 inch but the link is for 3/4. Which size do I need?
Good catch. I updated the description. It is 1 inch.
Thank you for the helpful video. I just installed mine. However, it is slowly leaking water from the locking ring. Any idea(s) how to fix this?
I would take off the clips and hoses and re-seat them. They should come off perpendicular. The locking ring should slide in with a good click. You bought new hoses, right?
@@DrBDIY thank you very much for your help. I was able to fix the issue by reinserting the pipes and slowly turning on the bypass valve, I guess too much pressure...
Abe desi
I had the same issue. My black C clamp (locking ring) broke when I went to replace a leaking O Ring. Now I can find where to purchase new C Clamps aka locking rings. I wish they had a better design for hooking up the water lines. I don't like all the plastic, all the Black plastic C Clamps and O Rings = more place for future leaks.
@@moxnix Just installed ours, same issue here. Very slow leak coming out of the right ("In") C clamp. Thinking to call Rheem customer service tomorrow but curious if you fixed the problem?
Are the water lines on the back standard 1" schedule 40 PVC?
The PVC water adapters coming out of the softener are threaded and I think they are garden hose-type threads. The 1-inch stainless flex hose connects to the PVC threads and to the wall metal threads on my copper pipe.
What test kit are you using to measure hardness?
Before and after my install, I used this multi-test kit from Home Depot.
www.homedepot.com/p/LABTECH-H2O-OK-Plus-Complete-Water-Analysis-Test-Kit-LT5015-6/205540501
After the install when I knew my softener was working, I used this test kit (just hardness)
smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B07B31M49N/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
from Amazon.
We just purchased a Rheem 42,000 Grain and after 2 days of the plumber installing it, it began to leak underneath the salt tank. No pipes were wet and Rheem warranty claimed it was a leak/crack in the brine tank. So we got a replacement. We put it in and same thing happened again. 2 days later it had a puddle underneath the salt tank w/ no visible pipes wet. We didn't identify a crack in the original one when switching over to the new one. At this point we're hoping for a refund. Is there anything else we could be overlooking that's causing a puddle under the salt tank only (no wetness near the pipes or behind the tank)? We watched it recharge the night it was installed and no visible leaks then or the next day. It was until we woke today there was a puddle. My husband and I both took showers this morning for the first time since installing and I'm wondering if that's what is leading to the cause (high water usage).
Yikes, so sorry. Check that there are no drip lines going downward around the outside of the tank. Also make sure there isn't a slow drip leak on your piping outside of the tank and near/in the wall. There are two "tanks" - the big outside that holds the salt, and the little tube tank inside that helps during recharge. It seems if the outside main salt holding unit was leaking you would see a lot of water during recharge, as in gallons. I would look for a slow drip. Put paper towel all around the bottom outside and see where it gets wet first. If the big tank is leaking a second time, it seems maybe there is a nail or something on the bottom causing a puncture. Best guesses. Let us know what you find.
I’m in the market for a new water softener. Been looking at reviews, so how is your rheem holding up and do you recommend?
Thanks
Works great. Water still measuring 0 on the hardness scale. I like the notifications when the power is off/on. I also like the low salt message I received today. Water tastes better and we have reduced hardware spots on shower glass and drinking glasses.
You put your bypass valve on the left side where you can't get to it now. Wouldn't it be simpler to flip the whole connection so the hook ups are pointing down so you have access to the handle on your bypass valve from the right?
I installed the bypass per the instructions. I can get to it easily enough. In my old water softener, I used the bypass one time in 12 years. There was a question as to the ability to put the in / out connectors upside down, thus putting the bypass on the right in my install. I didn't try this. One response said it could leak, although I am not sure how. Another said it was okay. In either case, I am satisfied with my install. Water is so soft, it dissolved the hard water spots on the master shower glass.
@@DrBDIY Whoever said it would leak is ridiculous. The valve does the same job either way. The o-rings are round for a reason. If you look at the instructions, their pipes are coming from up above. Her in Florida my pipes come in and out through the concrete slab in the garage. I'm not going to come up and go pass the valve and then come back down to it.
Can you do a video on how to set the ssid? Thanks
There you go. I hope this helps.
th-cam.com/video/nIxRTzJNPqY/w-d-xo.html
@Dr B Looking at this exact unit; how large of a family do you have and how often does it recharge?
We installed it in January and it is now April 6. The unit has recharged 10 times. Family usage (based on guests) ranges from 3 to 6 people.
@@DrBDIY how did you know it recharged 10 times? I don't think the app will alert you. I've installed this a month ago, I can't tell if it has recharged yet.
@@MrRichardyc From the manual, you cand find recharges on the softener, not the app:
MANUAL ADVANCE DIAGNOSTICS
Use the following procedures to advance the water
softener through the regeneration cycles to check
operation.
Remove the top cover to expose the valve and observe cam and switch operation during valve rotation.
1. Press and hold SELECT for 3 seconds until “000”
shows in the display, then release.
2. The 3 digits indicate water meter operation:
000 (steady) = Soft water not in use, and no flow
through the meter.
Open a nearby soft water faucet.
000 to 140 (continual) = Repeats for each gallon
of water passing through
the meter.
4. Use the RECHARGE button to manually advance
the valve into each cycle and check the correct switch
operation.
NOTE: Be sure water is in contact with the salt, and
not separated by a salt bridge (See "Breaking
A Salt Bridge" section).
5. While in this diagnostic screen, the following information is available and may be beneficial for various reasons. This information is retained by the
computer from the first time electrical power is
applied to the electronic controller.
a. Press the r UP button to display the number of
days this electronic control has had electrical
power applied.
b. Press the s DOWN button to display the number of regenerations initiated by this electronic
control since the code number was entered.
6. Press and hold the SELECT button until the model
code (rH42) shows in the display. This code identifies the softener model. If an incorrect model code
is displayed, the softener will operate on incorrect
configuration data.
7. To change the code number, press the r UP or
s DOWN button until the correct code shows.
8. To return to the present time display, press the
SELECT button.
Look at manual. Try setting the efficiency to on and clean as ON. Really helps.
Thanks for the tip!
just installed this softener, is your light flashing all the time? I think it is more like a yellow color, not green, according to the manual, it means it is in conn mode, but it is connected to my wifi and I can see and change the settings in the IQua app.
Connection Status
light indication
Status
Flashing Amber
(for up to 15 minutes)
System is in Connect Mode,
waiting to be connected to the “cloud” via the home’s wireless router.
It is possible to be connected to the router, but not get to the internet. Did you block the mac address? Mine doesn't blink once connected. Maybe unplug unit and try again.
@@DrBDIY it was stuck in Conn mode, so I had to delete the softener from my app and added it back in. it has the solid green light now.
Does the blending knob have anything to do with it? The push/pull handle is all the way out.This is why I put in a new system becoz the old one was giving me salty water now with the new one it is doing the same thing?
What do you mean by bending knob?
@Cyclo Spin I did try the blending knob a little turn and then when I tested the water with the testing strips it says it is hard water. So I turned the blending knob off. Now mind you the water does not stay salty it is like after a couple of days it goes away. I think it is happening after regenerating the system and no one is using water during this time of regenerating the system. I looked in the manual and it does not say anywhere where you can up the regenerating time. This is a brand new system.
@Cyclo Spin First off I want to Thank you for all your help and time. My instruction book is different than yours :( Figure 34/35 is how to connect to the WIFI.I have gone over this book and there is nothing that I can see that says how to add extra time to your end backwash and rinse cycles. Thank you :)
@Cyclo Spin No page 18 just goes up to page 15. It is not Platinum. It is just the RHW42. I AM GOING TO GO TO THE WEBSITE. THANK YOU :)
Does it tell you how many gallons left before it will regen ?
I can't see that setting.
How long to feel soft water after initial install?
After you have added the bleach and run the first recharge, the water softener is working. You need to flush the pipes of existing hot water (a minute or so based on how far each faucet is from the water heater). Then the water should feel softer - basically instantly. You can test results by using testing strips and comparing outside water to inside treated water.
I have the same unit. When I first purchased it, wifi connected flawlessly. Now, the green light stays on for ~5 sec, then off for ~5 sec. I've gone through all the t/s steps but can't seem to get the app/unit/wifi to talk to each other properly. Reached out to Rheem and they suggested the things I've already done. If you have any tips/tricks, I'm all ears.
It could be the WiFiis going bad in the water softener. But if it isn't, then what changed? WiFi problems are usually because of bad signals. It could be interference from another electrical device such as a microwave oven. It could be a neighbor installed a WiFi and you are conflicting over channels, so devices have to retry. It could be your WiFi router is going bad. Ensure you don't have two devices trying to get the same IP address which would happen if you have a fixed IP address on one device and the DHCP range overlaps that address. Did you install any new shielding like radiant barriers? I would suggest a WiFi signal checking app on your phone and run it next to the softener. This will allow you to check the strength of the signal as the softener would receive it. Also, unplug the softener for two minutes to get everything reset. A power surge can cause processors to jumble memory bits.
A tri mesh system will solve so many issues ie cameras I have a Netgear Orbi 300$ Costco has them that said the software from Rheem must work I assume it does I have to go to Home Depo to get one for $600
This App is rated 2/5 in the Apple App Store. Many people complain about wifi connectivity issues for this product. The wifi module is from a third party, not Rheem, and seems to be unreliable. That's why I decided to go for the non-wifi version of this water softener.
Great video. Two questions on your drain system: 1. Why did you put in that extra 90 degree bend on one side? Is that your "air gap" design? Why not just put in one pipe and an "air gap" cap on top of it? Wouldn't that be simpler? 2. Do you know of any code (or recommendation) on the height of the drain pipe above the P-trap? Some sites don't mention it, but one recommended 19". Any guidance here? Thanks.
I am adding my air gap back in... will post an update. A plumber told me to put a split so the water would not backflow and touch the water softener output. He was focused on bacteria hitting the softener line. So the split is so the water can spill out. He said about 4 inches difference where I live.
@@DrBDIY Sounds like you have the right objective. Where I live (Texas) they require a 1.5" air gap, and I plan on doing that with a specialized purchased PVC part that attaches to the top of the 1.5" "standpipe" in my garage. The purchased part (about $15) creates it's own built-in air gap. I can't tell the relative height of the two pipes in your arrangement, but it appears to me that if "sewer water" was to rise in that pipe, it would not spill out of the top of that elbow until the water level had ALSO reached the approximate level of the bottom of your hose. This would negate the air gap function. The top of the elbow needs to be well below the top of the straight pipe where the hose connects. Again, I can't tell from the video if your arrangement meets this requirement.
How do you get the cover off?
The cover snaps off on each side. Be careful and don't break the plastic tabs.
the manual says nothing about how many minutes you should "flush", or "clean"... I put 5 mins, but what is the correct time on each..
I never tried those functions. You may have to experiment or give Rheem a call.
Did the water pressure dropped after installation?
No
Question:
I did everything accordingly to manual and followed your video. I added one 45lb bag of salt and roughly 3-4 gallons of water on initial start. I also added a cleanser to sanitize. After a 2hr recharge, there is still little bit of water with the salt. Not nearly as 4 gallons but I’d say about a gallon. Is this normal? I haven’t added more salt yet. Please advise
Yes, it is normal. I had two and both had some residue at first. The unit will balance itself out. Keep an eye on it if you want, and be sure the test your water is softened correctly with a kit.
@@DrBDIY my plumber installed the 32,000 grain model of this Rheem water softener yesterday and it recharged last night for the first time. There's still water up to the level 4 mark with the salt level being at around level 3.5. Should the water be ABOVE or BELOW the salt level? If below, then do you suggest I add some more salt until the water level is BELOW the salt level but ensuring it doesn't go past level 5 as suggested in the documentation? We're in a household of 2 so we may not be using as much water. Thank you in advance!
@@yuugotserved There should be little to no water left in the salt brine after a recharge. Did you perform the bleach / recharge cycle as indicated in the manual? Is the exit tube clogged? The brine needs to have a way to flush out after recharge.
@@DrBDIY I manually removed a few gallons of water so that the water line is above level 1 now then readded salt to level 4. Hopefully this fixes it. I noticed that after each Regen it adds about 1 line of water to the the tank.
@@yuugotserved if it is new call Rheem support.
I bet it is very quiet until you turn the main water valve all the way on right?
Not sure what you mean. I can't hear anything when this runs in the normal mode. When it is recharging, and I am up very close, I can hear a bit of soft noise.
When it recharge does it fill the whole tank of water
During recharge the water enters the large tank and salts'up. Then it passes through the brine. I don't know how much water enters the tank as I never looked. Would be interesting to know.
So the wifi is just to give alerts, etc?
Yes. It reports to rheem to let you know when it is time to clean the unit. It will also report when it lost/regained wifi, presumably when the router went out or the power is out.
Is the application worth it? Is the information provided not normally accessible on other water softeners through their own control panels?
I rarely use the application. After I configured the app and wifi, the best feature for me is that I am notified by text when salt is needed. On the app, you can see daily, weekly, monthly and yearly summaries. You can also change some of the softener settings.
How do you like it after using the product for a while ? I see lot of negative reviews on Home Depot website for this product. Most of them complain about leaks. So I’m a little confused if I should buy it or not.
No complaints. We have 25 hardness water. The Rheem takes it down to 0. We put salt in when the notification arrives. Nothing is leaking. Its a plastic tub, so if that leaks it must have cracked during install. On the water connections, they need to be attached straight and should be 18 or 24" (in my case) to give plenty of room to bend from inlet to Rheem.
Thank you again for the great video and feedback. I got one installed and it’s pretty good so far.
@rahulsudhakaran excellent.
I noticed when you close the lid the top part popped out a little. Shouldn't it stay on?
It should stay on. Make sure the clip-like ends of the top that attaches to the base are not broken.
Bought my Rheem about 5 months ago. One person useage. It started blinking quickly blue light. I added a bottle “clean “ and pressed the button. The light is still flashing blue. I have pushed the button again holding it longer thinking I didn’t completely put it in cleaning mode. No water sitting above the number 4 salt level. Should I stir the salt, add more CLEAn or call repair!
It should still be under warrant. Call the phone number in the manual and ask for help. There is no mention of blue light in the manual.
@@DrBDIY inside the lid it says for slow flashing light add salt.
Fast flashing light add CLEAn
@@4ohgollycats Mine doesn't show that. I receive a clean or salt notification on phone via wifi. The LED will show "LOW SALT LEVEL" when salt is needed. Do you have the 42k Platinum version?
It isn’t a smart water heater. It’s not showing an err. It’s directions inside lid doesn’t mention errors. The manual does say it will tell what’s wrong ! Stupid thing!
@@4ohgollycats This video is for a water softener, not heater. If you have a softener, you might have a different version.
Looks like Rheem put their name on the Kenmore, Whirlpool valve.
I had a Kenmore water softener I purchased in 2007. I don't think it worked well. The water was barely "softer" when I measured the water as compared to the Rheem which took 150 readings to 0. Granted it was much older. I think the resin was bad. I didn't want to spend $150 to replace the resin. The top connections and wires on the Kenmore looked just like the Rheem. The insides look similar but the housing was different. Glad to have wifi, treated water and a new unit for sure.
They are all the same made by the same company. Good units will go 20 years. You do need to clean the venturi periodically takes about 3 minutes.
250ppm. My hot water is 777 ppm. oh man. hopefully. i get that same unit installed.
Wait, what? 777. Wow, that is serious hard water. Hope you get it treated.
Don't forget to clean the venturi periodically. The cause of most system issues.
How?
How is this unit holding up?
Still working great. We had a power surge from a bad electrical storm last month. For some reason, the hardness setting changed. I changed it back. The hardness measures 0 using the strips.
The model I put in is RHW42
BTW, your model has more features. I just found out this week.
Can you give a 3 year update?
3 year update. Still running fine. Water registering about 0 on hardness test. No odors. Glasses clean and no spots. Still get notifications for "time to add salt" and "continuous water alert." No issues.
just need them to ship some to my local HD.
Hope you got one. They keep them supplied in central texas stores.
@@DrBDIY I did, about a month ago, I also got the optional remote Water Shut-Off Valve so I can shut off the water supply via my phone. I wish they'd add the 'regen tonight' notification so I will know when it will regenerate.
Is this worth getting. ?
If you want great softener-treated water, yes. Up to you of course.
This is the best money spent. Use only 1/4 as much detergent, clothes, other appliances last longer. Everything stays cleaner and of course much nicer showers.
You would think that these unit could test hardness of the water with the technology offered today.
Technically feasible but would add cost. Once the unit is installed, I check the water hardness every 4 to 6 months just to make sure things are working. I used drops of liquid and a piece of paper - low tech.
@@DrBDIY is that a kit?
@@bryanhauschild4376
I used this test before and after install:
www.homedepot.com/p/LABTECH-H2O-OK-Plus-Complete-Water-Analysis-Test-Kit-LT5015-6/205540501
then I go this kit to use periodically.
smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B07B31M49N/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
This unit looks exactly like the GE and Whirlpool.
The Rheem looks like my old Kenmore.
@@DrBDIY I believe Whirlpool made the Kenmore water softener.
Turn your ball valve on all the way
I did pull it on all the way. The turn on my unit is how much water I want to pass through untreated.
The different brands are all the same only the style is different. Sears Rheem Morton exactly the same.
Still working great after years. Hardness measures 0.
These are garbage don't buy these.
Mine, and two family members, work great.