| General Installation Guidelines
Most modern plumbing is done with copper or plastic pipe. Older buildings were plumbed with galvanized pipe. If copper pipe is used to install equipment in a building having galvanized pipe, be certain to use an approved insulating connector made of nonconducting material at every point where the dissimilar metals will be joined. Nonconducting connectors will reduce the possibility of galvanic corrosion. Since it is common practice to use water lines as safety grounds for the electric wiring system, these insulating connectors should not be used in main water lines unless a grounding strap is used to maintain the existing electrical grounding. When a lubricant is required for fittings or 0-Rings, be sure to use the correct substance. Some washers need a petroleum based lubricant, while many 0-Rings require a silicone based lubricant. Consult the manufacturer's instructions. All lubricants, flux, solder, and other matenals used for installation purposes must be suitable for use with potable water (i.e., water safe for human consumption). Solder should be lead free. New federal regulations now require lead free solder. Never use any rnaterial in the installation that can add a toxic substance to the effluent water. Always use sufficient materials to do a proper job; but do not use excessive amounts of flux, solder, or lubricant that may end up in your water. |
| Safe Drains
One of the most important components of a proper installation is provision for safe drainage by avoiding a possible "cross connection." A cross connection is any point at which a water supply pipe or container is joined directly to a sewer pipe. It is at this point alone that it is even remotely possible for a water conditioning installation to introduce danger to a household. This can never happen if safe drainage is provided by using a sufficient "air gap" in the installation. NEVER MAKE A CROSS CONNECTION. There are very simple reasons why a water treatment system must never be connected directly to a sewer pipe. Here's why: Consider a water treatment system installed with a direct drain connection to the sewer system. It is a cross connection. Now, let's suppose that on some occasion during the recharging cycle there is a fire in the vicinity. What would happen if the firemen's pumping equipment creates such a strong demand for water that suction occurs and it actually causes water to flow from the house back into the mains? Actually, if the suction were strong enough, some fluid from sewer pipes might be drawn back through the water treatment system and back out into the water supply lines. The danger is that sewage containing potentially pathogenic organisms could then be introduced into the water supply. Obviously, the public health and the private welfare of your household must be at the uppermost consideration in the mind of the installer at all times. This is why the air gap rule must always be followed for drainage installations. Always The Air Gap The air gap rule is simply this: Be sure to study and follow the equipment manufacturer's printed instructions. They will specify drain line size. If the proper size is not provided, the unit may not be thoroughly backwashed. Type Of Drain Required A laundy sink or any other sink will serve satisfactorily as an emptying place for the drain line. Of course, the sink stopper must never be in during regeneration, thus causing an overflow problem. Also, care must be taken that the backwash and regenerating water will ncver cause any staining of the sink. A trap installed in a waste line will also serve providing there is a proper air gap or vacuum breaker between the tap and the drain line from the softener. A funnel arrangement may also be advantageously used in such an installation. A floor drain may also be used if it is out of the way of traffic. Rigid pipe should be used and positioned so that the minimum air gap cannot be reduced by moving the pipe. When the water treatment system is supplied with flexible drain line material, the drain must be tightly secured in the correct position to avoid deliberate or accidental movement. Good craftsmanship is a requirement for this type of work. It is well to install a water softener system near a floor drain, if possible, even if it drains into a laundry sink. At any time when servicing the system, it would be convenient to have a floor drain near so that water on the floor could be readily drained. Some units provide an overflow drain line for the regenerant container. Such a line should be run to a floor drain. It must run by gravity feed to a lower drain. Restore Service With Care Upon completing the installation, care should be taken to restore water service by turning the water back on at the meter or tank and filling the pipes throughout the house slowly. This gives air trapped in the system the opportunity to escape from the open faucets. As the air is cleared fiom the lines and water flows steadily from faucets, the faucets should be closed. Basement faucets will be closed first, and then those in the rest of the house as water flow reaches the higher levels. Take care to refill all pipes slowly and completely. Rapid flow causes coughing and splatter and, with toilets, is apt to break the tank-filling rnechanism. While service is being restored, check the system for leaks. Guard Pipes Against Vibration Loose pipes can be veiy noisy and distrubing to the household Piping may also be more liketv to burst if they ate not properly secured. Make certain that all pipes are properly supported. This is especially important wtth galvanized plumbing because of the relatively high weight per foot of the pipe. How much support is necessary varies with the span of the run and the weight of the pipe. Good judgement will help insure support is provided as needed to avoid strain at joints to prevent sag, and to minimize vibration and water hammer However, it should not be expected that securing pipes will solve a problem which can only be solved by providing the proper "air cushioning" within the plumbing system itself. |
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