How to Install a Fleck 5600/9100 SXT Water Softener - Softener Intro, Plumbing, & Programming

#softener #fleck #DIY

In this video, I go over how to install a water softener with no existing pre-plumbing. As far as DIY projects go, this one was tough, but this is why I made this video. Here I'm installing a Fleck 9100 SXT water softener, this is the model with two tanks so you never are at the mercy of the regeneration cycle.
Honestly, for my small household, it was probably completely overkill -- for most households the single tank Fleck 5600 SXT is more than enough.

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Fleck 5600 SXT SINGLE Tank:
https://amzn.to/477uzuF

Fleck 9100 SXT DUAL Tank (3/4"):
https://amzn.to/3AFFb86

SharkBite 3/4" to 3/4" FIP Push to Connect Hose:
https://amzn.to/4dW9XZj

SharkBite 3/4" to 3/4" FIP Water Connector Kit with Valve:
https://amzn.to/3WWIhfe

Here is a quick procedure if you prefer text:

1) Hard water consists of minerals such as magnesium, calcium, and chlorine. All of these will in the long term corrode your pipes and destroy your appliances/boilers. It's also bad for your health and skin.
2) Softened water is without those harsh minerals. It also has trace amounts of sodium in it as a result of the softening process
3) The way a water softener works is through a chemical reaction -- the tank contains negatively charged resin beads, which attracts and traps calcium and magnesium ions (and to a lesser extent chlorine)
4) Eventually the tank becomes saturated and ineffective, and that's where the 'regeneration cycle' comes in. It will draw brine solution from your salt bucket. The sodium displaces the magnesium and calcium from the resin, and gets flushed out
5) Before beginning your install, make sure that you have a plumber in mind in case this goes south. Also helps to start really early in the day. Assemble your water softener, preferably the day before your install. Every minute will count.
6) Locate your whole house water inlet. The softener must be located FIRST IN LINE BEFORE EVERYTHING. This may be tricky to find if you have a finished basement.
7) Plan where you will plumb and install the softener, and make sure you have ample supplies. Don't be that guy/gal running to the store x100 times for an extra fitting. Buy more fitting and supplies than you think you'll need.
8) Shut off your water main, and drain all the water out of your plumbing by turning on the faucet that's at the lowest point in your house. This is also a good time to shut off your boiler, and close the water supply valve to your boiler -- because your expansion tank will have residual
pressure and water left in it, which can complicate your attempts to drain the water out of your system
9) Once you are absolutely certain that your faucet is no longer putting out water (this proves that your water shut off valve is FUNCTIONAL), you may begin the plumbing exercise
10) You need to plumb a water inlet, outlet, drain, and shut off valve for the softener. If you have copper piping, use protective fire cloth to protect your walls/studs from the heat. HAVE A FIRE EXTINGUISHER HANDY.
11) You also need to have an outlet available for the softener. If installing a new outlet, make sure that it's WR GFCI, because we're installing it next to water
12) Plumb everything up. Inlet to controller, outlet to controller, brine line to brine bucket, and drain line to a sink/drain
13) Turn your water back on. Check for leaks, but leave the softener in bypass
14) If no leaks found, turn the bypass valve off, let the softener fill up and check for leaks
15) Fill the brine bucket with 1 bag of salt, and 2-4 gallons of water
16) Enter programming mode in the Fleck controller by setting the time to 12:01 PM, then holding the up and down arrow for 5 seconds
17) Most settings here should have been already programmed by your supplier
18) You'll be changing hardness (H), safety factor (SF), and day override (DO) if you have high iron amounts in your water
19) Once finished, set the correct time
20) Start a manual regeneration cycle by pressing and holding the regen button for 5 seconds
21) This will take 90 minutes
22) Once finished, if you have a model with two tanks, repeat the regeneration cycle. The unit will automatically switch to the next tank
23) Softened water will not reach it's full potential for up to two weeks because it has to permeate your entire plumbing system, including the tank in your boiler
24) Don't forget to turn your boiler back on, as well as its water shut off valve
25) Enjoy!

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