Are you confused about whether your house has a water softener loop? Here, we will tell the best way to identify a water softener loop.
What Does A Water Softener Loop Look Like?
A water softener loop is an additional U-shaped copper pipe or tube located in the mechanical or garage room next to the water heater. This loop has a cap on the end section.
How to Identify A Water Softener Loop?
If you have recently shifted to a new house, you might wonder whether the new home has a water softener loop.
There is no point in installing a new water softener loop if your house already has one.
The following steps will help determine whether your home has any water softener loop.
Step 01: Visit the Mechanical or Garage Room
First, go to your mechanical or garage room to find the water softener loop.
If you have any extra room outside the house, check it too.
Sometimes, it might be located near the point where water enters the house.
Step 02: Check All Plumbing Pipes and Tubes
Check out all plumbing pipes if either of them has a U shape.
Also, examine if the pipe has any cap on the end section.
It is either installed on the wall or sticking out from the floor.
Give a special inspection at the elbow fitting mainly connected to the water softener’s inflow and outflow valves.
The elbow fitting will face downward if the water softener loop is attached to the wall in a high position.
Step 03: Visit the Mechanical or Garage Room
If you don’t find it in the garage or mechanical room, find it where the water heater is installed.
Most household owners install water softener loops nearby the water heater.
Step 04: Install a Water Softener Loop
If you still don’t discover any water softener loop, it might not be installed yet.
You can hire a professional to become 100% sure about it before installing it.
Why You Need A Water Softener Loop?
A water softener loop comes in handy to separate the internal and outdoor watering systems.
It is a more appropriate choice if your main water source has an extreme water hardness level.
But, this loop eliminates the need for the softening water that goes outside the house.
For example, plants don’t need soft water.
Hence, you can use tap water directly to water your plants. This saves energy and monthly bills.
Which Is The Best Place To Install Water Softener Loop?
It depends on the primary water supply line source where it enters inside the house.
If your primary water supply line comes from the garage side, install it inside the garage room.
The same goes for the mechanical room.
However, if the water supply line is located far away from your house, you can install it outside.
Alternatively, run a line to the garage room first, and enter it inside the house.
Final Thought
Figuring out the location of the water softener loop is easygoing if you have basic hints. Use our mentioned details to locate the loop within a few minutes.
Reference
01. Sorg, T J., M R. Schock, AND D A. Lytle, 1999. ION EXCHANGE SOFTENING: EFFECTS ON METAL CONCENTRATIONS. JOURNAL OF AMERICAN WATER WORKS ASSOCIATION. AWWA Internet, Denver, CO, 91(8):85-97, (1999).
