3) One of the things that cause backflow through backpressure is elevation. His dumps into a 'dead' sump, that drains to the ground under his foundation. The one thing the plumbing codes will want is a 1" air gap between the softener discharge and the drain to absolutely prevent any chance that sewer effluent could get into a potable water system. If this is not done, there is the potential for drain water from the filter to back feed through the softener and overfill the brine tank, especially when drain lines are run overhead. Make sure the discharge line is properly air-gapped to prevent cross-contamination. It will be another task altogether to drain the resin beads from your water heater, so prevent this from happening by not using any hot water during this cleansing process. Again you want to ensure that you are creating a water tight … Not enough vertical distance between p-trap and vent so water comes out vent. During this time, the chemicals will be taking effect on the invasive roots. When you install the P-trap, put as tall a standpipe on it as possible (a la a washing machine drain), then place the softener discharge 1" above facing down into the drain. 1 2. juliann. The water softener drain is connected at the top of the 2 inch sloped pipe. Many of the Home Improvement Stores sell “ Big Box Water Softeners ” and “Installation Kits” to get them connected. Once you have the t-bend in place and glued properly for a tight water seal into the existing waste vent, you can now run your new drain line into the side of the new outlet. You can use a water softener without a floor drain by routing the discharge to a sink or washtub. I'm looking to install a water softener in my basement and I'm trying to figure out where to plumb a drain for it. The plumbing for the sump pump discharge goes up to an elbow. The tie-in line must be 2.5X the drain line entering the system. (I drew this in as 1.5" in the attached picture, as I was originally planning on a 1/2" drain line into the stack. On water softener service calls in Minnesota, we find a wide variety of drain line material being used. Step 3 - Secure the new Drain Line. Make sure not to run any water while you are resolving the problem with your water softener, especially hot water. The drain inlet at the top (Photos 5 and 8) is optional. How best do I connect the valve drain line from my water softener to the sewer line. It's an issue with cross connection. P ... You can dump them into the sanitary, but they must be trapped here. Ken Streiff answered this with much more detail than I am about to, but I just wanted to add that I’ve seen his solution used before. Finally, if the softener drain is improperly connected directly to a sewer line with an airtight connection such as shown in our photo at left, it is forming an unsanitary "cross connection" that is actually a technical building code violation as well. Check to make sure that the drain line has the proper amount of air gap and was correctly installed. Thanks, JS There is no floor drain, and the waste line going to the septic tank is going through the wall at the ceiling of the basement, well above the discharge line of the water softener. Chemicals can harm your pipes, leading to more problems. Do not use the toilet or any water that will drain into the sewer line for at least 12 hours. As for draining the softener into that trap, its not common but I don't see an issue really, its just that if your laundry backed up, you need a minimum 1" gap between the water softener hose going into the drain and the drain itself. Washing Machine and Washtub Basin Backing Up If your washing machine caused the problem and it resulted in a lot of water, no need to panic. While once very prevalent, they cause stress on public waste water treatment plants be also accepting rain water. I have a Superior wall basement with a concrete slab floor. Since both flows are combined into one line, all the water must be treated. Can I connect a water softener drain line to a vent pipe in the attic? Under the basement floor is a bed of crushed gravel with french drains, which lead out to the yard by the driveway. Here’s how the water softener affects your septic system and what you can do about it. You can contact a professional to do this for you. If I tap into the sewer line with a floor drain and run some flexible hose to the top of the drain there would be no way for the sewer to backup into the softener. water softener drain. As a result there are no floor drains to use and I need to plumb a drain … This guidance is intended for residential uses with water softener backwash discharges. From the elbow the 2 inch pipe slopes down to a 4 inch pipe. I was watching but not paying attention. Tied-in line requires an air gap. ... before you have to bump up the drain line size. Tied-in line requires a P-trap. There are two drain lines from a water softener; one over-flo from the brine tank and one off the control valve. The reason why is because you will risk leaking beads into your water heater . Good day guys, first time poster here, been reading some threads about water softener/refiner, since we are planning getting one installed. To do this you will only have to drill a small hole into the drainpipe, attach the drain saddle over the hole, and then insert the drain line into the drain saddle. If its a "Water Boss" unit, the larger one dumps up towards 70 gallons on a flush cycle. separate drain line from each unit all the way to the point of termination. I assume it would be a smart thing to leave several inches between the flexible hose and the drain to prevent any type of vacuum from being created. I know I need to dig, connect clay with the proper boot to an ABS tee, grade the new extension 1/4 inch per foot for proper slope. The drain hose that comes from the water softener needs to terminate in a manner that won't create a potential cross-connection between the potable water and anything else... such as sewer water. brine from water softener regeneration. This water thus raises the level of water in the sewer system, and if your basement sewer drain is lower than that level, it will result in backflow. 5 years ago. I would like to instead drain it into the sanitary sewer. You can clear out the roots with the mineral form of sodium chloride, rock salt. Tree roots in the vicinity will grow toward the moist soil and may eventually enter the sewer line, where they can block the flow. About sewer line clogs Because these lines are not particularly large, they can easily develop buildup and clogs over time, depending on your home’s water usage, and how much care is used in disposing of items in the toilets and drain lines. Softner and iron remover. Jump to Latest Follow 1 - 10 of 10 Posts. tank, faucet, or malfunctioning water softener, etc. Combined sewer line. Use a separate drywell or floor drain to receive water softener backwash. As warm water passes through sewer lines, a vapor forms on the exterior of the sewer pipe. Pour water/soap mixture into the tank scrub and rinse with clean water. Is this acceptable? That seems odd to me. You can also choose to: (1) drain water directly into the side port of the unit from a run of perforated or unperforated drain tubing, (2) link two or more dry well units together, or (3) use it independently with a top drain for small pooling areas. I’m installing a water softener. Rinse with clean water, restore all accessories and reconnect the drain and water softener. I’m not sure what kind of latitude I have w/ regards to the installation of the drain line for the backwash cycle. At present the line runs directly into the sewer line at ceiling height. Is there a device premade for such a connection? What you COULD do, is elevate it, and keep that drain line level to run into the washer drain… The soil surrounding the sewer pipe absorbs the vapor moisture. The house sewer lines are all overhead. If it was installed properly, then you will be able to rule the air gap out. A recent home inspection said that we need to in stall a "J trap" and allow a 2" air gap. My Water Softener drains out side of the house into the ground. But for now I'd grab a coupling and extend that laundry drain up higher. I need to tie into the pipe to the sewer in no-freeze CA to properly drain my new water softener. It uses a high-salt brine, which eventually ends up in your septic tank. My buddy has 2. Drain lines can be installed improperly or overtime becomes blocked and crack or burst. (Please note that back feed goes only into the brine tank, not the service line.) A combined house sewer line collects and combines the flow from both waste water and storm water into one combined line. The industry standard is a ½” polypropylene drain line that is rigid, yet flexible. Scrub it with a brush and chlorine water. If the level of sewage is above the softener then backpressure could fill the drain line of the softener. A water softener treats hard water before it flows into your home. ... if the drain pipe from the water softener is a hose just loop it to form a trap then connect it... if it is hard pipe then just get x tra fittings and make a trap. Please see attached picture of my plan. Our basement has no floor drain. If you have trees growing close to your sewer lines, chances are you have tree roots clogging up the drain. Calling a plumber to clean out the line is expensive. The main sewer line exits the house about 3 .5 feet above the floor of the basement as is shown in the picture. Your water softener brine drain is kinked, plugged, or leaky: You may need to replace your drain line. I have the same question as the TS, since i only have two options for drain line, which is first is the washing machine drain, second is at the outside of the house, which will require drilling on the drywall and bricks. I’m in a walkout basement. I know you can’t have any direct connection to a sewer line but not sure about storm sewer. Sewer lines are typically four to six inches in diameter and sloped downwards to promote the flow of water away from your home and into your city’s sewer. The instructions indicate that I should try to fit the line below the top of the softener. So for a 3/4" drain line, 3/4 x 2.5=1.875 or 2 in line. However, its in basement and has to travel upward of 6-8 ft. to hit the 1.5" pvc. This is what I did. Background: The most common types of water softeners use an ion exchange process to remove magnesium and calcium that cause water hardness and to remove iron and manganese from drinking water. The over-flo line could go to the same place as the heater relief output. proper drain/air gap for water softener; Author: Calfman (IL) Installing my own water softener after the local company told me they would drill and tap a fitting directly into my sewer line for the softener discharge. The installer ran the water through the system and it's drain line and punched it into the ground. I have a less than ideal situation of my water softener draining into my sump pit. Add a cup of household bleach, stir and let the mixture sit for 15 minutes. It doesn't work. Use salt alternatives: potassium chloride may be an acceptable alternative to normal salt or sodium chloride for problem areas. In this situation, the drain line from the reverse osmosis system can easily be attached to a drain saddle that connects directly to the drain of your sink. If the water has come in contact with sewage then microbiological contaminates can move with the water back into the water softeners. Pour about 3 gallons of clean water into the brine tank. A sewer backup can back into the softener and contaminate the building water supply. 2. 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