We're having a Kinetico water softener system installed today. They're planning on running the drain tube down the wash drain. We're a little concerned because they're not establishing an air gap but they're telling us the air gap is on the system and that this is how they do it nationwide. Anyone have any experience with these sytems? Is this true? If not, is there a way to fix this ourselves?
Water – Is an air gap required for our new Kinetico water softener
water-softener
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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!
I only see one valve, incorrectly installed in the wall cavity at that, so there is no way to bypass the softener for maintenance or if a component fails. So no, its not installed correctly because a bypass is a standard part of any softener installation.
Without a bypass you are going to find that those cheap plastic components they make water softeners with are going to eventually fail and it will spring a leak. Hopefully the incorrectly installed valve you have now comes before the water reaches the unit. Then you'll at least be able to shut the water off from right there and not at the curb. However you'll then be without water in the house until you fix whatever issue your having with the softener. Below is a diagram of a standard bypass setup which your manual should also have.
Best Answer
This may be a little late for you, given the question is some months old, however...
I have a Kinetico Premier Compact softener installed by the main water entry to the house.
It was installed about seven months ago by the local Kinetico distributor.
The drain tube does go to an air gap under the kitchen sink.
The installation manual states that this should be done, as shown here