I am installing a water softener in my house. Currently we're getting the water supply from 1" PEX that has a service loop in the garage.
I built my own 1" PVC bypass system for a GE water softener (see attached photo); I had to use SharkBite-style connectors to terminate the PEX. Today the system operates in bypass mode, because I didn't glue the joints square enough where the 1 inch brass valves mate to the water softener's 1 inch NPT input and output stems.
One of the household occupants has grown tired of hard water and demanded that the water softener be operational 'soon' (i.e. tonight). AFAICT, this means I essentially have a couple of options…
- Remake the PVC bypass with correct the angle; that's more work than I will get done tonight…
- Use some stainless steel braided hose to bridge the gap, so I can compensate for the misaligned valves.
Option 2 seems to be the best, except for availability of parts. Nobody in town (including Grainger and specialty plumbing supply stores) carry 1 inch braided hose. My best option is at Lowe's… a 3/4 inch OD stainless braided hose, which measures 1/2 inch ID; I will use reduction fittings to adjust between 1 inch NPT on the water softener and 3/4 inch NPT on the hose.
My concern is that 1/2 inch ID might cause an unacceptable loss of flow when the system is designed for 1 inch PEX. Is the 1/2 inch ID braided hose a viable short-term option until I can get delivery on the appropriate parts?
Best Answer
The lucklihood is that it will reduce the pressure throughout the house significantly, especially if more than one faucet is running at once.
It is also possible that the softener might not work correclty due to the reduced pressure, or that the output pressure will be even less than expected.
I would think that hard water for a couple extra days would outweigh soft water with little pressure - especially in the shower!