JC saved my life. I was once stranded at sea, was actually able to drink the ocean water by filtering it through my clothes. Had to throw them away after I was rescued, the salt ruined em, but at least I'm alive today as a result of JC Plumbings expertise. Thanks JC.
I figured I'd post my experience with softeners and conditioners over the years. I bought a house with well water and it's very hard. 25gpg of hardness. I have no iron, but a large amount of Cal/Mag. Initially I went with a conditioner because of added sodium intake concerns. The conditioner does work very well, it reduced my limescale buildup significantly, and the amount of buildup in my hot water heater was greatly reduced. The buildup that was in there was easy to clean out as it didn't stick to the elements and tank like untreated water does. I started having skin irritation, hair breakage, and scalp irritation. Some research indicated this was likely caused by the minerals in the water blocking pores and preventing hair from taking in moisture. I put up with this for a few years before trying a salt based softener. I installed a water softener and noticed an instant difference in clarity, hair, and skin. A few weeks later all of my issues had completely gone away. I ran an exclusion line for my kitchen and fridge so I'm still able to drink the water as it makes a big difference in nail strength and overall health, but having soft water everywhere else has made a huge difference. It's kind of overkill to run a softener and a conditioner, but in my case, it makes sense and gives me the best of both worlds.
Thats great information and our general experience in the field also. There are a lot of great systems some better than others but also a lot of really bad ones. Thank you for sharing.
Can you give an estimated cost? Do most people run the waste water to their sewage system or to their yard where they might have a rock garden? We’re moving to Manteca in the valley where they use well water and average 16 gpg. Thanks for the video.
@@markalcottisreadywraa6601 all depends on the system you want to put in, the size of it, your existing plumbing, etc. If you're not able to figure that out, I'd recommend calling a plumber and get them to give you a quote. I paid around 2k for my entire system and installed it myself. My drains go to my septic tank.
The reason coconut carbon is so obvious has nothing to do with it being premier. Hardwood charcoal/carbon is even better. It's simply that coconut shells are a waste product of the food processing industry, so they're 1) large (which walnut or pecan shells are not), 2) completely renewable (they're the seed of a plant, so you're not cutting down a tree), and 3) Readily available because the food processing companies use a LOT of coconut.
Thank your so much! Very straight forward and informative. My wife and I bought our first home in December and are hearing a lot of conflicting things from coworkers, plumbers, our family about water softeners and filters. I wish there was a system that could soften and filter the water without having to worry about putting sodium in our irrigation system and killing our new trees if we intercept the water main, but it sounds like no such system exists. Nonetheless, your video is VERY appreciated.
Absolutely hilarious, I was trying not to fall asleep for the first 70% of this video, and then all of a sudden Jump Around starts playing. Absolutely hilarious!
We need a fabulous whole house filtration system for well water. The house we moved into had multiple parts... pump, black tank, two Beige tanks, AND 2 giant containers one for salt and one for peroxide. Of course after living here 5 months the whole system doesn't work anymore. Makes me fearful and I need to have something done/installed right away. I just don't know what systems to look at!
Hey man!!! Absolutely great video! I'm a RO tech on a destroyer and and our methods of filtration and conditioning translates to all this. Helps me make a better choice for the house!! 🎉🎉
No matter what "soft water" system is used, you taste the salt. It does not satisfy your thirst, nor do get the soap/detergent off of your body. I kicked my water softener out the door. Yes, the water is still hard, but the descaling does stop the hard scale from sticking to my showerheads and pipes. So, I will stick with that system. 2 tanks. 1 activated charcoal the other a descaler. With a 3rd sediment filter (string type). Works for me.
Have had 2 salt based systems over 23 years and have never tasted the salt. Ever. Glad your system you have works for you but the salt system you installed must have either improperly installed or faulty.
@@denisepowell5975Everyone has different taste sensitivity. I have had multiple homes with preinstalled water softeners, and stayed at plenty of places with them. I can taste the salt in all of them. Glad you can't.
Live in Northern,B.C. Canada🇨🇦 on a well system.Had a whole house water softener system installed 4 months ago.We have high calcium in our well.Bought a new kitchen faucet a week after install. Noticing small builtup of calcium on my kitchen faucet.Wondering if my system is running correctly by us.We are first time water softener owners.Our brine tank is only a 1/4 of the way full with water and the salt being 2 inches below.We are a family of 2.Just my husband & I.Tank is set at 1000 gallons then regenerates.
Can you tell me how often, or if it all, the carbon filter media needs to be replaced? Thank you for taking the time for your explanation and installation video.
Great video! Few doctors don't realize that skin dermatitis is caused by minerals blocking the skin pores. I moved in my lake house in summer and my sweat kept my pores open. By November I was itching terribly! The first three docs had no idea. #4 told me I needed a water softener. Then I moved to the city and still wanted soft water. But my handyman and I could not figure out how to use it besides just running it through the water heater. So I turn down the heater so I mostly bath in soft water. I have reverse osmosis by the kitchen sink. Had to tell my wife and step daughter that was for drinking and not washing hands.
A sediment filter makes sense on the incoming side, to protect the carbon filter and softener, but it appears to be plumbed on the output side, at the top hose bib. All that does is keep sediment off the car when washing.
We have learned and it is recommended by several manufactures to always install the sediment filter on the downstream side. Reason being if and when that water pressure reducing valve fails it is possible for extremely high city water pressure to push ALL that filter media into the homes water system causing some serious headaches.
It should not be necessary to have a sediment filter before those because they are backwashing filters and typically they will trap sediment and self clean during the backwash. Can’t hurt but not necessary in most cases.
Actually there should be a pre filter before the water softener/conditioner too. Sediment and/or calcium will eventually clog the screen on the intake side of the softener/conditioner decreasing whole house pressure and volume over time.
You didn't mention a bypass/blender valve that allows an adjustable amount of un-softened water to go past the softener. This allows you to set the water so you don't have that annoying "can't get the soap off" effect that fully-softened water gives you. My plumber didn't know about it either, but when he asked the manufacturer, they had the valves in stock. I highly recommend it.
That's great information and you're absolutely right. That's why we love Novo water softeners. www.novowater.com/485-hto. The water softening level is digitally controlled and completely customizable right within the valve head. You can adjust it to completely off all the way up to 25 G.P.G. of hardness. Believe me we have installed every brand out there and these have the most functionality and require the least amount of maintenance.
@@jcplumbing1766 Reading the install manuals, it appears the "hardness" setting on the controller is only used to specify the hardness of the incoming water, so the unit can deal with all the dissolved compounds. ( I had to go to the archived older manuals to get this info, it's not made clear in the newer manuals) If this is correct, then the only possibility for blending untreated and treated water to eliminate fully softened water at the output is with the "bypass" valves, and the manual specifically recommends against that.
Nothing is perfect. From the second you start using water after a regeneration cycle it is getting harder and harder until it regenerates again. That's why you can manually regenerate the system yourself if you feel the need.
That slick "can't get the soap off" feeling isn't soap. It's your bodies natural oils without minerals from the water sticking to it. Point of fact: in non-softened water the soap sticks to your skin and that's why your hands still smell like soap after you wash and dry your hands. When you wash with softened water, the soap doesn't stick to your skin, and you're hands won't smell like soap afterwards.
Great video. Thank you. Very easy to understand. Great song! You def were jumping up. And getting down! Yea. I have that whole system. Think it cost $8,000 I stopped putting salt in it. Can never stop the skin from feeling slick in the shower. After watching video. I think I’ll have to salt putting the salt back in. To make it work properly again. But inevitably, I have to find a way. To get rid of that sliminess. Might mean changing the whole system. Thanks again for the info!
This was a great video taught me alot wish you worked in Florida brother instant customer from me. Is there any links you can add for that company you mentioned in the video thank you.
Thank you for the kind words I greatly appreciate them. There is a link to Novo Water Systems in the description down below. On their sight you should be able to find a list of preferred partner vendors that should be able to help you out in Florida. You guys have some very unique water situations in your state and I know of several plumbers using Novo equipment down there. Good luck.
My garage is set up very similar and looks as if it could be the same builder but very curious about the drain line? Was there a drain down at the bottom of the wall that was tapped into or did we drill through the wall to a drain outside the garage? Im looking to have a plumber setup my own system but yet to figure the best way to drain the system. A very nice set-up that I want to do in my own garage!!
I'm not sure of the code requirements of the state your located in but here in California the drain line must discharge into the sanitary sewer. In this particular installation just on the exterior of the garage there was an indirect waste receptor servicing the pool equipment so I simply plumbed 1/2" PVC through the wall to the point of connection.
Well, kind of. Conditioners don't "soften" the water, so yeah, no such thing as salt free softeners. But the conditioners do sequester the hard minerals in such a way as to prevent the scale from building up. Most people like have those minerals in their water, too.
Yes depends on the brand and model. This system in this video can be adjusted but you have to remember the more you throttle the system down the fewer total dissolved solids it is removing and there for not doing the job it is designed to do.
Very good presentation....I do have one criticism, the carbon has nothing to do with the TDS level of your water. The explanation is in the definition of TDS (Total DISSOLVED Solids). I don't care what you have out in the garage, it is doing nothing for the TDS level because they are dissolved solids. They are so small it is going straight through that system. The only thing that effects the TDS level is the semi-permeable membrane of an revese osmosis system because it's actually squeezing the water. The EPA has a max contamination level of 500 ppm they allow your water board to give their customers. If your TDS level is at 450 ppm going into that system in the garage, then it's 450 ppm coming out of that system in the garage. The membrane in the RO will drop that 450 number all the way down to 20-30 ppm making it ideal drinking and cooking water. But, very pleased to see a video on TH-cam with 99% accurate information. I will also note that the sediment filter you added to this install probably isn't necessary for city water. If you're on well water...absolutely. But, city water should be treated anough that filter is not needed. Just another way for water companies to get a little more money from you. One last thing...I'm not familiar with this exact water softener, but every 2 tank system I have ever seen or sold, the resin tank is the tank with the head on it. You had mentioned that first tank was the carbon tank? I'm not really sure how the resin tank would regenerate with the head on the carbon tank. But, you are correct, the carbon tank should be the first tank in the process. The enemy of resin is chlorine. You definitely want to let the water go through the carbon first to remove the chlorine before it hits the resin to lengthen it's life span. I've just never seen a 2 tank system with the backwashing head on the carbon tank...weird. Other than that...good job buddy.
MIlton ripped out all my well equipment and tore up the plubing (outdoor water well house). Rebuilding everything from scratch, Insurane is a freakin joke here in Florida, so my question is, from main well line, should the sulfer removal tank go before the salt softner tank?
Great Video! How does Novo compare to Springwell whole home water filters? I’ve heard good about both. Does the Novo filter out the PFASs and PFOSs and such like the Springwell? Thanks!
Can you recommend a similar DIY system. Im pretty handy and dont really want to pay the installation cost of one of these systems that are only sold by plumbers.
How come my system only has one of those long tubes, instead of the two you have? I just bought a house that came with it. And inside the salt container is dirty water. Is that normal? Do I need to change the water? I'm told I need to service the carbon every 3 years for $350 and buy 2 Crystal salt bags every 6 months. Any knowledgeable thoughts is highly appreciated. Thank you.
We have very hard water and just installed a Pure Again system filter with an RO. Still getting hard water spots, especially on shower glass. Can I install a softer to my loop to help with that? The Pure Again is at the main. Thx
Awsome setup up! I was struggling to decide which method works best and yours by far suits me! 1 question my pressure reg valve is a 1 1/4 Watts and its in need of replacement. Do I have to buy an exact one or can I replace it with another brand? Im using the WATTS LF25AUB-Z3 1-1/4 if so please advise which one
I have some questions about the carbon filter. I had a system installed about 7 years ago that I am happy with. However my system only has the brine tank and then one other that contains both the carbon filter and the resin beads. The company comes out every two years to change out the carbon filter portion of the tank. This raises some questions. Is my system as effective as yours and how long does your much larger carbon filter last? By the way my one single tank is no larger than either of your tanks.
The carbon never gets a cleaning, so you have to swap it out, the beads use the brine to clean it this so need replacing prob about 10 years on average, chlorine will damage the beads so if you carbon is bad then the chlorine will degrade the beads
Hey Buddy, is a RO system even necessary if we have a high quality carbon filter? All these companies are pushing the RO systems and say the drinking water won’t be that good without a R/O system
I’ve had the fleck 5600 with carbon filter For 14 years Replacing it three years ago I haven’t had any problems with appliances But it does leave spots on my car if I don’t dry it off Is there anything else I can add so it doesn’t leave spots Thx
those are soft water spots, easily can be taken off with a micro fiber towel right? usually the residual salt leaves those spots but at least they are not the hard water spots. All car washes uses RO for their final rinse which gives that spot free affect.
Yes the manufacture suggest every 5 years but the process is very simple and fairly inexpensive. In regards to the water tasting salty not at all. If a sodium based water softener is operating correctly the amount of salt flowing downstream of the equipment is non existent.
Great information! I saw another video from a plumber stating he recommends allowing city water to flow in the house once a week so that chlorine is introduced to avoid bacteria. What are your thoughts? He was installing a Halo 5 by the way. Thank you for your time.
Hi Jack. Do you service San Diego area? I’m interested in adding a whole property water softener system to my property. I have to install two systems, because I have two buildings on separate water meters. If you don’t service San Diego, do you have anyone that you can refer me to? Thanks!!!
I’m new to Las Vegas and I have had some bids on systems. Can a one tank solution really work decently? Salt with 10% resin filter and a coconut carbon filter in the same tank.
I am not aware of any single tank sodium and carbon tank systems on the market. There are salt free TAC systems such as the Halo 5 but if there is I would be interested in learning more about them.
"Mixing carbon and softening resin inside the same tank with a divider is effective in so much as the carbon quantity or the softening capacity will have to suffer. Since most systems don't use dividers for a multitude of reasons the combining of carbon and resin in to the same mixed chamber is only somewhat effective as the carbon and resin become an amalgam giving the carbon very little effectiveness. The resins effectiveness seems to be just fine as it is typically the majority media. Many mixed medias can be done but this is not one of them. A few companies source special carbons that do stay separated but these carbons are not very effective and require very frequent changeouts. Another alternative is stacked tanks. This has the advantage of completely separating the medias, using different size tanks so as to match the backwash rates (resin requires less GPM per ft2 than typical GAC). The drawback is a taller unit and a limited carbon bed (typical is .5 ft3.) The best way to go is two tanks, two medias. Keep them separated, and... many companies do this but they save cost by using upflow or non backwashing carbon tanks. Again, this is a common mistake that can work a lot of the time, then again it can fail just as often and requires considerable understanding of the application. I deal with all of these different unit designs. what I installed at my own house is to tanks controlled by one valve and medias specifically designed for the application. This design works on must municipal supplies but is also a little more costly than other water treatment methods. So to answer your question, don't go for the "all in one" systems. They are not very effective, the do not offer long enough service life, and they may be difficult to service." Did a little homework and this is what I found.
How much is the system you installed including the 2 faucets, filter, pretty much everything on the video + labor. I ask so I can have a rough idea what dollar amount I'm looking at. Because im looking into installing the same system for my home. Thank you👍
Lots of good info, thank you! I read that carbon filters are great at removing chlorine from muni water supplies, however, they are not so great in cases where the municipalities use chloramine to treat their water supply (ammonia is left behind), is this correct?
I'm wondering what they consider high pressure on the mains? I suppose to handle such a large population it needs to be quite high. Too high for a carbon prefilter to protect the seals.
Beautiful installation! I have been installing systems for years! I didn’t see where you ran your drain line to. I have installed many Kinetico 4040 units they are carbon based as well.
that song was perfect. 1990s. You were definitely jumping around. Great video. Very well spoken. Just that slimy feeling in the show i do not like. Any way to eliminate that? Ty and keep jumping around!
Thank you,Jack. Nice explanation. I'm from Maryland, Frederick County (Municipal Water). I'm shopping for a water softnere and trying to get Culligan HE Municipal Softener. Could you help in decide the system?
I would think you probably could. Look at the Gallons Per Hour of the R.O. system your thinking of using and as long as the numbers are sufficient for your humidifier your good.
From my perspective as a mold remediation technician, I've yet to find any ducted humidification system that doesn't eventually cause mold growth in the ductwork, and in turn spew all those mold spores into the air of the home. I would recommend using a stand-alone humidifier. These aren't the most attractive looking units and may remind you of the 80's, but this is by far a better option than ducting a humidifier. Even the more expensive steam-type humidifiers have the same inherent problem of creating the perfect environment for any organic particles accumulating in the ductwork to begin growing mold.
Thank you Jack for the great tutorial! Residing in Orange County, and leaning towards a Water Softener from a recent Simple Lab water test indicating a hardness of 15.8 grains/gal in addition to other minerals, metals and salts. Finding much value in your installation for piping, would like to see how you accommodated the drain. Thank you,
I just went through this and also live in SoCal, where our water hardness is 17 grains. I concluded that water "conditioners" are mostly BS. Salt-based softeners have worked well for decades so I went for that. Note that they usually have a note about keeping chlorine under 2 ppm. I looked into whole house filters and highly recommend only NSF-approved units (third-party tested). Hardly any are, and use Marketing Speak like "reduces all contaminates." What does "reduce" mean? Nothing! Or rather, they could reduce them by almost nothing and still meet their own "claims." I ended up going with a single large carbon filter made specifically for removing chlorine (AO Smith unit at Lowes). Regarding the softener drain, I ran a 20-ft PEX line over to the washing machine dump pipe and shared that. Do not run the drain near plants as the salt will kill them.
Every home is different. Incoming pipe sizing, were the incoming service is located, proximity to power and a suitable drain. Too many variables for a one size fits all price.
JC saved my life. I was once stranded at sea, was actually able to drink the ocean water by filtering it through my clothes. Had to throw them away after I was rescued, the salt ruined em, but at least I'm alive today as a result of JC Plumbings expertise. Thanks JC.
The filtered and softened water hose bib is genius
I figured I'd post my experience with softeners and conditioners over the years. I bought a house with well water and it's very hard. 25gpg of hardness. I have no iron, but a large amount of Cal/Mag. Initially I went with a conditioner because of added sodium intake concerns. The conditioner does work very well, it reduced my limescale buildup significantly, and the amount of buildup in my hot water heater was greatly reduced. The buildup that was in there was easy to clean out as it didn't stick to the elements and tank like untreated water does.
I started having skin irritation, hair breakage, and scalp irritation. Some research indicated this was likely caused by the minerals in the water blocking pores and preventing hair from taking in moisture. I put up with this for a few years before trying a salt based softener.
I installed a water softener and noticed an instant difference in clarity, hair, and skin. A few weeks later all of my issues had completely gone away. I ran an exclusion line for my kitchen and fridge so I'm still able to drink the water as it makes a big difference in nail strength and overall health, but having soft water everywhere else has made a huge difference.
It's kind of overkill to run a softener and a conditioner, but in my case, it makes sense and gives me the best of both worlds.
Thats great information and our general experience in the field also. There are a lot of great systems some better than others but also a lot of really bad ones. Thank you for sharing.
Can you give an estimated cost? Do most people run the waste water to their sewage system or to their yard where they might have a rock garden? We’re moving to Manteca in the valley where they use well water and average 16 gpg. Thanks for the video.
@@markalcottisreadywraa6601 all depends on the system you want to put in, the size of it, your existing plumbing, etc. If you're not able to figure that out, I'd recommend calling a plumber and get them to give you a quote. I paid around 2k for my entire system and installed it myself. My drains go to my septic tank.
You are a straight BADASS brother! Clean work, professional attire, well-spoken and knowledgeable. Thanks for sharing your expertise
As a former electrical contractor and current instructor, I really appreciate the quality of your content. Very nice work!
The reason coconut carbon is so obvious has nothing to do with it being premier. Hardwood charcoal/carbon is even better. It's simply that coconut shells are a waste product of the food processing industry, so they're 1) large (which walnut or pecan shells are not), 2) completely renewable (they're the seed of a plant, so you're not cutting down a tree), and 3) Readily available because the food processing companies use a LOT of coconut.
Just another fact this"expert" doesn't know.
Thank your so much! Very straight forward and informative. My wife and I bought our first home in December and are hearing a lot of conflicting things from coworkers, plumbers, our family about water softeners and filters. I wish there was a system that could soften and filter the water without having to worry about putting sodium in our irrigation system and killing our new trees if we intercept the water main, but it sounds like no such system exists. Nonetheless, your video is VERY appreciated.
Absolutely hilarious, I was trying not to fall asleep for the first 70% of this video, and then all of a sudden Jump Around starts playing. Absolutely hilarious!
We need a fabulous whole house filtration system for well water. The house we moved into had multiple parts... pump, black tank, two Beige tanks, AND 2 giant containers one for salt and one for peroxide. Of course after living here 5 months the whole system doesn't work anymore. Makes me fearful and I need to have something done/installed right away. I just don't know what systems to look at!
I realize prices can vary drastically, but can you give a ball park figure of what a system like that would cost?
I have this exact same model installed in my California home. System performance is excellent.
I live in central California! Please what whole house water filtration and softener system do you have?
Thank you so much for such a great video. The soundtrack made the video even better.
Hey man!!! Absolutely great video! I'm a RO tech on a destroyer and and our methods of filtration and conditioning translates to all this. Helps me make a better choice for the house!! 🎉🎉
No matter what "soft water" system is used, you taste the salt. It does not satisfy your thirst, nor do get the soap/detergent off of your body. I kicked my water softener out the door. Yes, the water is still hard, but the descaling does stop the hard scale from sticking to my showerheads and pipes. So, I will stick with that system. 2 tanks. 1 activated charcoal the other a descaler. With a 3rd sediment filter (string type). Works for me.
Have had 2 salt based systems over 23 years and have never tasted the salt. Ever. Glad your system you have works for you but the salt system you installed must have either improperly installed or faulty.
@@denisepowell5975Everyone has different taste sensitivity. I have had multiple homes with preinstalled water softeners, and stayed at plenty of places with them. I can taste the salt in all of them. Glad you can't.
Live in Northern,B.C. Canada🇨🇦 on a well system.Had a whole house water softener system installed 4 months ago.We have high calcium in our well.Bought a new kitchen faucet a week after install.
Noticing small builtup of calcium on my kitchen faucet.Wondering if my system is running correctly by us.We are first time water softener owners.Our brine tank is only a 1/4 of the way full with water and the salt being 2 inches below.We are a family of 2.Just my husband & I.Tank is set at 1000 gallons then regenerates.
Can you tell me how often, or if it all, the carbon filter media needs to be replaced? Thank you for taking the time for your explanation and installation video.
That is all dependent on the quality of the water you are filtering but the manufacture states it should never be longer than 5 years.
Great video! Few doctors don't realize that skin dermatitis is caused by minerals blocking the skin pores. I moved in my lake house in summer and my sweat kept my pores open. By November I was itching terribly! The first three docs had no idea. #4 told me I needed a water softener. Then I moved to the city and still wanted soft water. But my handyman and I could not figure out how to use it besides just running it through the water heater. So I turn down the heater so I mostly bath in soft water. I have reverse osmosis by the kitchen sink. Had to tell my wife and step daughter that was for drinking and not washing hands.
9:36 Hit the nail on the head!
A sediment filter makes sense on the incoming side, to protect the carbon filter and softener, but it appears to be plumbed on the output side, at the top hose bib. All that does is keep sediment off the car when washing.
We have learned and it is recommended by several manufactures to always install the sediment filter on the downstream side. Reason being if and when that water pressure reducing valve fails it is possible for extremely high city water pressure to push ALL that filter media into the homes water system causing some serious headaches.
It should not be necessary to have a sediment filter before those because they are backwashing filters and typically they will trap sediment and self clean during the backwash. Can’t hurt but not necessary in most cases.
@@bgreen4175 your absolutely right.
Actually there should be a pre filter before the water softener/conditioner too. Sediment and/or calcium will eventually clog the screen on the intake side of the softener/conditioner decreasing whole house pressure and volume over time.
You mentioned you need a drain for the backwash. I didn’t see that in the system you installed. Can you please explain?
Second that
What equipment do you recommend the most … in comparison with culligan or puronix
Great job explaining the whole system.
You didn't mention a bypass/blender valve that allows an adjustable amount of un-softened water to go past the softener. This allows you to set the water so you don't have that annoying "can't get the soap off" effect that fully-softened water gives you. My plumber didn't know about it either, but when he asked the manufacturer, they had the valves in stock. I highly recommend it.
That's great information and you're absolutely right. That's why we love Novo water softeners. www.novowater.com/485-hto. The water softening level is digitally controlled and completely customizable right within the valve head. You can adjust it to completely off all the way up to 25 G.P.G. of hardness. Believe me we have installed every brand out there and these have the most functionality and require the least amount of maintenance.
@@jcplumbing1766 Reading the install manuals, it appears the "hardness" setting on the controller is only used to specify the hardness of the incoming water, so the unit can deal with all the dissolved compounds. ( I had to go to the archived older manuals to get this info, it's not made clear in the newer manuals) If this is correct, then the only possibility for blending untreated and treated water to eliminate fully softened water at the output is with the "bypass" valves, and the manual specifically recommends against that.
Nothing is perfect. From the second you start using water after a regeneration cycle it is getting harder and harder until it regenerates again. That's why you can manually regenerate the system yourself if you feel the need.
That slick feel is ..clean..
No need to try to get soap off.
You are just use to feeling rough so slick feels odd
That slick "can't get the soap off" feeling isn't soap. It's your bodies natural oils without minerals from the water sticking to it. Point of fact: in non-softened water the soap sticks to your skin and that's why your hands still smell like soap after you wash and dry your hands. When you wash with softened water, the soap doesn't stick to your skin, and you're hands won't smell like soap afterwards.
Great video. Thank you. Very easy to understand. Great song! You def were jumping up. And getting down!
Yea. I have that whole system.
Think it cost $8,000
I stopped putting salt in it.
Can never stop the skin from feeling slick in the shower.
After watching video.
I think I’ll have to salt putting the salt back in. To make it work properly again.
But inevitably, I have to find a way. To get rid of that sliminess. Might mean changing the whole system.
Thanks again for the info!
awesome video. love the background music during timelapse install. quintessential GenX vibes.
This was a great video taught me alot wish you worked in Florida brother instant customer from me. Is there any links you can add for that company you mentioned in the video thank you.
Thank you for the kind words I greatly appreciate them. There is a link to Novo Water Systems in the description down below. On their sight you should be able to find a list of preferred partner vendors that should be able to help you out in Florida. You guys have some very unique water situations in your state and I know of several plumbers using Novo equipment down there. Good luck.
My garage is set up very similar and looks as if it could be the same builder but very curious about the drain line? Was there a drain down at the bottom of the wall that was tapped into or did we drill through the wall to a drain outside the garage? Im looking to have a plumber setup my own system but yet to figure the best way to drain the system. A very nice set-up that I want to do in my own garage!!
I'm not sure of the code requirements of the state your located in but here in California the drain line must discharge into the sanitary sewer. In this particular installation just on the exterior of the garage there was an indirect waste receptor servicing the pool equipment so I simply plumbed 1/2" PVC through the wall to the point of connection.
Thanks for the reply! Also in California and just what I needed to know to plan our own set-up. @@jcplumbing1766
nice job but where did your return for the wastewater go. And what happens if you don have a a return for the waste
As a fellow plumber I think this video was fantastic. Especially the music!!!👍
Well, kind of. Conditioners don't "soften" the water, so yeah, no such thing as salt free softeners. But the conditioners do sequester the hard minerals in such a way as to prevent the scale from building up. Most people like have those minerals in their water, too.
Can you regulate the softness of the water? I hate that feeling that you cannot rinse off when taking a shower.
Depends on the system you use, a good one will let you adjust it
Yes depends on the brand and model. This system in this video can be adjusted but you have to remember the more you throttle the system down the fewer total dissolved solids it is removing and there for not doing the job it is designed to do.
Nice work and thanks for explaining the differences and types.
Thanks for a great explanation of the components. Made it all white easier for me to understand what I might need. Great job. Thank you.
Does this system require a drain to sewer? I could not see it in the video.
Thanks for the useful information! Nicely done job and video. How did you handle the waste stream from the backwashing?
Great job. I wanted to know if you could recomend something like this for a dug well?
Does the salt water also backwash and clean the carbon?
Next step is Hollywood you are good! Thank you sir!
Good information and loved music
😂
Very good presentation....I do have one criticism, the carbon has nothing to do with the TDS level of your water. The explanation is in the definition of TDS (Total DISSOLVED Solids). I don't care what you have out in the garage, it is doing nothing for the TDS level because they are dissolved solids. They are so small it is going straight through that system. The only thing that effects the TDS level is the semi-permeable membrane of an revese osmosis system because it's actually squeezing the water. The EPA has a max contamination level of 500 ppm they allow your water board to give their customers. If your TDS level is at 450 ppm going into that system in the garage, then it's 450 ppm coming out of that system in the garage. The membrane in the RO will drop that 450 number all the way down to 20-30 ppm making it ideal drinking and cooking water. But, very pleased to see a video on TH-cam with 99% accurate information.
I will also note that the sediment filter you added to this install probably isn't necessary for city water. If you're on well water...absolutely. But, city water should be treated anough that filter is not needed. Just another way for water companies to get a little more money from you.
One last thing...I'm not familiar with this exact water softener, but every 2 tank system I have ever seen or sold, the resin tank is the tank with the head on it. You had mentioned that first tank was the carbon tank? I'm not really sure how the resin tank would regenerate with the head on the carbon tank. But, you are correct, the carbon tank should be the first tank in the process. The enemy of resin is chlorine. You definitely want to let the water go through the carbon first to remove the chlorine before it hits the resin to lengthen it's life span. I've just never seen a 2 tank system with the backwashing head on the carbon tank...weird. Other than that...good job buddy.
this guys the best!! best plumber out there!
Thank you Ms.Havlicheck, we really appreciate you.
MIlton ripped out all my well equipment and tore up the plubing (outdoor water well house). Rebuilding everything from scratch, Insurane is a freakin joke here in Florida, so my question is, from main well line, should the sulfer removal tank go before the salt softner tank?
Great Video! How does Novo compare to Springwell whole home water filters? I’ve heard good about both. Does the Novo filter out the PFASs and PFOSs and such like the Springwell? Thanks!
Great install!
That is beautiful work man!
Can you recommend a similar DIY system. Im pretty handy and dont really want to pay the installation cost of one of these systems that are only sold by plumbers.
How come my system only has one of those long tubes, instead of the two you have? I just bought a house that came with it. And inside the salt container is dirty water. Is that normal? Do I need to change the water? I'm told I need to service the carbon every 3 years for $350 and buy 2 Crystal salt bags every 6 months. Any knowledgeable thoughts is highly appreciated. Thank you.
got a link to that water pressure regulator with gauge?
www.supplyhouse.com/Caleffi-535961HA-1-Sweat-Pressure-Reducing-Valve-w-Gauge-Low-Lead-Pre-adjustable
Awesome explanation!
Im in socal. I want that setup and id like this gentlemen to install it! Great video!
Where is the drain for the system to flush??
Hi! Can this system be installed outside the house (not in the garage)? What I need to do to protect it?
We have very hard water and just installed a Pure Again system filter with an RO. Still getting hard water spots, especially on shower glass. Can I install a softer to my loop to help with that? The Pure Again is at the main. Thx
Awsome setup up! I was struggling to decide which method works best and yours by far suits me! 1 question my pressure reg valve is a 1 1/4 Watts and its in need of replacement. Do I have to buy an exact one or can I replace it with another brand? Im using the WATTS LF25AUB-Z3 1-1/4 if so please advise which one
I have some questions about the carbon filter. I had a system installed about 7 years ago that I am happy with. However my system only has the brine tank and then one other that contains both the carbon filter and the resin beads. The company comes out every two years to change out the carbon filter portion of the tank. This raises some questions. Is my system as effective as yours and how long does your much larger carbon filter last? By the way my one single tank is no larger than either of your tanks.
The carbon never gets a cleaning, so you have to swap it out, the beads use the brine to clean it this so need replacing prob about 10 years on average, chlorine will damage the beads so if you carbon is bad then the chlorine will degrade the beads
Wow! One House of Pain track and you are done!!! 😂 Hugely informative video, looking forward to a whole house system myself
great video, excellent choice of music! thanks!
Isn’t the water softener on the right with the control head and the carbon tank on the left?
Where did you put your drain too.
Do you isolate other hose bibs thru out the house or at least isolate the water that feed irrigation?
Did u install the sediment filter after the water softener?
Mister did you also installed a reverse osmosis under the sink or it’s enough clean with those 2 tanks, thanks for the informative video.
You should install a bypass line to the system.
What would be the average install price for THIS system in the video? Ballpark
Hey Buddy, is a RO system even necessary if we have a high quality carbon filter? All these companies are pushing the RO systems and say the drinking water won’t be that good without a R/O system
I’ve had the fleck 5600 with carbon filter For 14 years Replacing it three years ago I haven’t had any problems with appliances But it does leave spots on my car if I don’t dry it off
Is there anything else I can add so it doesn’t leave spots Thx
those are soft water spots, easily can be taken off with a micro fiber towel right? usually the residual salt leaves those spots but at least they are not the hard water spots. All car washes uses RO for their final rinse which gives that spot free affect.
Does the 47 pounds of carbon have to be replaced regularly. Does the softened water taste salty?
Yes the manufacture suggest every 5 years but the process is very simple and fairly inexpensive. In regards to the water tasting salty not at all. If a sodium based water softener is operating correctly the amount of salt flowing downstream of the equipment is non existent.
Great information! I saw another video from a plumber stating he recommends allowing city water to flow in the house once a week so that chlorine is introduced to avoid bacteria. What are your thoughts? He was installing a Halo 5 by the way. Thank you for your time.
Wouldn’t it be better to put the sediment filter before the Conditioning equipment?
My favorite part of this is the hose bib to wash the car!
wjwhats the average price of a good full home water softner?
Hi Jack. Do you service San Diego area? I’m interested in adding a whole property water softener system to my property. I have to install two systems, because I have two buildings on separate water meters. If you don’t service San Diego, do you have anyone that you can refer me to? Thanks!!!
So informative! Thank you
I need that setup.... i'm in the Tampa Bay area... where are you?
I’m new to Las Vegas and I have had some bids on systems. Can a one tank solution really work decently? Salt with 10% resin filter and a coconut carbon filter in the same tank.
I am not aware of any single tank sodium and carbon tank systems on the market. There are salt free TAC systems such as the Halo 5 but if there is I would be interested in learning more about them.
"Mixing carbon and softening resin inside the same tank with a divider is effective in so much as the carbon quantity or the softening capacity will have to suffer.
Since most systems don't use dividers for a multitude of reasons the combining of carbon and resin in to the same mixed chamber is only somewhat effective as the carbon and resin become an amalgam giving the carbon very little effectiveness. The resins effectiveness seems to be just fine as it is typically the majority media. Many mixed medias can be done but this is not one of them. A few companies source special carbons that do stay separated but these carbons are not very effective and require very frequent changeouts. Another alternative is stacked tanks. This has the advantage of completely separating the medias, using different size tanks so as to match the backwash rates (resin requires less GPM per ft2 than typical GAC). The drawback is a taller unit and a limited carbon bed (typical is .5 ft3.)
The best way to go is two tanks, two medias. Keep them separated, and... many companies do this but they save cost by using upflow or non backwashing carbon tanks. Again, this is a common mistake that can work a lot of the time, then again it can fail just as often and requires considerable understanding of the application. I deal with all of these different unit designs. what I installed at my own house is to tanks controlled by one valve and medias specifically designed for the application. This design works on must municipal supplies but is also a little more costly than other water treatment methods.
So to answer your question, don't go for the "all in one" systems. They are not very effective, the do not offer long enough service life, and they may be difficult to service."
Did a little homework and this is what I found.
How much is the system you installed including the 2 faucets, filter, pretty much everything on the video + labor. I ask so I can have a rough idea what dollar amount I'm looking at. Because im looking into installing the same system for my home. Thank you👍
Every home is different therefore the price varies.
Is the Aquasure Harmony a good water softener?
Lots of good info, thank you! I read that carbon filters are great at removing chlorine from muni water supplies, however, they are not so great in cases where the municipalities use chloramine to treat their water supply (ammonia is left behind), is this correct?
Why no full system bypass, two foot of pipe and a valve? Perhaps not required back flow prevention for the hose bibs.
I'm wondering what they consider high pressure on the mains? I suppose to handle such a large population it needs to be quite high. Too high for a carbon prefilter to protect the seals.
@@bryanst.martin7134 Cali, think elevation
The work music did for me😂😂❤
Very nice video, why most of these companies don't wanna show their prices, it's just suspicious.
Beautiful installation! I have been installing systems for years! I didn’t see where you ran your drain line to. I have installed many Kinetico 4040 units they are carbon based as well.
The Novo isn’t available in my area. Would you say the Kinetico 4040 is similar in function and does it give same results as this video?
@@JulioJReyes yes, kinetico is a carbon based unit as well. Very efficient as well.
@@JulioJReyes Kinetico makes excellent systems. Extremely pricey but one of the best out there.
Awesome video by a knowledgeable water treatment professional. That noise masquerading as music was like an old 78 RPM LP in reverse.
😂😂😂😂 Yeah, I’m sure it’s not for Everyone but still thank you for watching at putting up with it.
that song was perfect.
1990s. You were definitely jumping around.
Great video. Very well spoken.
Just that slimy feeling in the show i do not like. Any way to eliminate that? Ty and keep jumping around!
Why use copper for supply and not cpvc?
Thank you,Jack. Nice explanation. I'm from Maryland, Frederick County (Municipal Water). I'm shopping for a water softnere and trying to get Culligan HE Municipal Softener. Could you help in decide the system?
Note Novoclear 485 HTO is a municipal system water conditioner. Not for wells.
What's your take on portable
, apartment softening units?
Have you tried Filtersorb CT or Filtersorb SP3?
Can you use a point of use reverse osmosis filtration system to feed a whole house humidifier?
I would think you probably could. Look at the Gallons Per Hour of the R.O. system your thinking of using and as long as the numbers are sufficient for your humidifier your good.
@@jcplumbing1766 Awesome! While not as good as distilled water, RO water should help the filter last longer than straight city water!
From my perspective as a mold remediation technician, I've yet to find any ducted humidification system that doesn't eventually cause mold growth in the ductwork, and in turn spew all those mold spores into the air of the home.
I would recommend using a stand-alone humidifier. These aren't the most attractive looking units and may remind you of the 80's, but this is by far a better option than ducting a humidifier.
Even the more expensive steam-type humidifiers have the same inherent problem of creating the perfect environment for any organic particles accumulating in the ductwork to begin growing mold.
Ok sir how much this you charge to do that?
This is great stuff - thanks!
Thank you Jack for the great tutorial! Residing in Orange County, and leaning towards a Water Softener from a recent Simple Lab water test indicating a hardness of 15.8 grains/gal in addition to other minerals, metals and salts. Finding much value in your installation for piping, would like to see how you accommodated the drain.
Thank you,
I just went through this and also live in SoCal, where our water hardness is 17 grains. I concluded that water "conditioners" are mostly BS. Salt-based softeners have worked well for decades so I went for that. Note that they usually have a note about keeping chlorine under 2 ppm. I looked into whole house filters and highly recommend only NSF-approved units (third-party tested). Hardly any are, and use Marketing Speak like "reduces all contaminates." What does "reduce" mean? Nothing! Or rather, they could reduce them by almost nothing and still meet their own "claims." I ended up going with a single large carbon filter made specifically for removing chlorine (AO Smith unit at Lowes). Regarding the softener drain, I ran a 20-ft PEX line over to the washing machine dump pipe and shared that. Do not run the drain near plants as the salt will kill them.
Yes, very interesting. Where did he put the drain?
The filtration with Salt is a plant killer?
Does this system need a drain or did you install one?
Yes, any system with a backwash cycle does require a drain. The 1/2" copper line plumbed during installation was the drain line.
@@jcplumbing1766 Ok, thanks for getting back to me
@@jcplumbing1766I saw the 1/2” copper drain line but where did it go? Is it just stubbed outside on the other side of the wall?
About how much should this system cost?
Does this system require a drain?
How about Nuvoh2O water softner systems?. They claim to be the best on the market. Are they any good in your opinion?
Fuggin money!! Excellent plumbing, very impressive. What pants are those?
Excellent video, very informative. Except for the music, I did mute that part.
What does the system like that normally cost
Every home is different. Incoming pipe sizing, were the incoming service is located, proximity to power and a suitable drain. Too many variables for a one size fits all price.