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A typical install follows these six steps. Most are done in under 3 hours.
The installer checks your rising main location, measures the install space, and confirms the plan. Any last adjustments to the quote happen here.
The stopcock is turned off and the installer cuts into the pipework to fit the bypass valve. This is the only period you’ll be without water.
The softener goes into its final position. Inlet, outlet, and waste pipes are connected. Electric models get plugged in. The bypass valve is tested.
Water is restored. The installer runs every connection under pressure to check for leaks. Any drips are tightened there and then.
Salt is loaded, the regeneration cycle is triggered, and the unit is calibrated to your local water hardness. Soft water starts flowing within hours.
You get a water hardness test, a walkthrough of salt top-ups and maintenance, the manufacturer warranty, and the installer’s contact details for aftercare.
Four common install locations. Your engineer will recommend the best one during the site survey.
Most popular. Close to the rising main, easy access for salt top-ups. Compact block-salt units fit most standard cabinets.
Keeps the softener out of the kitchen. Needs pipework run from the rising main — adds £50–£150 to the install.
Good for larger units or tablet-salt systems with brine tanks. Must be frost-protected if unheated. Longer pipe runs may be needed.
Discreet and out of the way. Works well if the rising main enters the house in the hallway. Check there’s a drain nearby for waste water.
Not sure where yours should go? Your installer will assess your home and recommend the best location.
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What people ask before booking an install.
Most installations take 2-4 hours. A straightforward under-sink install with the rising main nearby is typically done in 2 hours. More complex jobs involving pipework rerouting, garage installs, or loft-fed systems can take half a day.
Expect to pay between £200 and £500 for installation on top of the unit cost. The price depends on your plumbing layout, distance from the rising main, and whether any additional pipework is needed. Your installer will confirm the exact figure in their quote.
The most common location is under the kitchen sink, close to the rising main. Other popular spots include utility rooms, garages, airing cupboards, and under-stairs cupboards. The unit needs access to the mains water inlet, a power socket (for electric models), and a drain for the regeneration waste water.
Clear the area around the rising main stopcock (usually under the kitchen sink). Move cleaning products and anything stored in the install space. Make sure the installer can access the stopcock easily. The water will be off for 30-60 minutes during the connection.
Yes, but only briefly. The installer needs to turn off the mains to cut into the pipework and fit the bypass valve. This typically takes 30-60 minutes. Once connected, the water comes back on immediately and the softener starts working.
Yes, provided you have access to the rising main and a suitable cupboard or under-sink space. In leasehold flats you may need freeholder permission for plumbing modifications. Most compact block-salt units fit easily under a standard kitchen sink.
Your installer will run a water hardness test to confirm the softener is working correctly, show you how to top up the salt, set the regeneration schedule, and leave you with the manufacturer warranty paperwork. Soft water reaches all taps within a few hours of the first regeneration cycle.
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