Can I Install EasyWater on Plastic Pipes?
June 3, 2011 // Installing EasyWater // 6 Comments
EasyWater can easily be installed on most types of residential water lines, but the installation instructions might be different depending on the type of pipe in your home.
The guidelines below will help you determine the type of pipe you have in your home, and give you general information on how to install. For the most complete information, it’s best to get in touch with one of our residential specialists at 1(877) 708-3338.
Installing EasyWater on Plastic Pipes
PVC
PVC pipe is typically white in color, and is a rigid plastic. Install signal wire in a single wrap, following the instructions on page 4 of our installation manual.
PEX
PEX, or “cross-linked polyethylene” plumbing, is flexible and requires fewer Ts and elbows than PVC. It is either white in color, or a combination of red and blue pipes – red for the hot water lines, blue for the cold water lines. If you have a manifold type plumbing system, you will have PEX pipes. Install signal wire in a single wrap, following the instructions for PVC.
CPVC
CPVC is similar to PVC, but is slightly less rigid. It can be white or yellowish in color. Install signal wire in a single wrap, following installation instructions for PEX or PVC
PEX-AL-PEX
PEX-AL-PEX is a type of PEX pipe, with an aluminum core. If you have PEX-AL-PEX you might notice crimping or tight bends in the pipe, as opposed to the wide arcing bends of traditional PEX. Despite the aluminum core, you will install EasyWater just like you would if the pipe was all plastic. Install signal wire in a single wrap, following the instructions for PEX or PVC .
Installing EasyWater on Metal Pipes
Copper
Standard ridgid copper is almost always the metal of choice for residential plumbing. It’s not always copper-colored, though. Over time it can oxidize to a blackish color, and it’s often painted as well. If your home’s water main is painted copper, simply brush excess paint away with a steel wool pad and install the signal wire in a double-wrap, per installation instructions on page 5.
Corrugated copper
Corrugated copper pipe is flexible and has ridges. This type of pipe is not commonly used for residential plumbing, but when it is, it’s usually seen leading into a water heater. To install on corrugated copper pipe, wrap electrical tape securely over the corrugations in order to create a smooth surface. Install signal wire in a double-wrap directly over the electrical tape, keeping the wire wrap as tight as possible.
Stainless Steel
Stainless steel pipe is extremely rare in residential situations. In most cases, pipe that appears to be stainless or any other silver or black metal is actually copper that has oxidized. Install the signal wire in a double-wrap per installation instructions for copper, above.
Installing EasyWater on Other Pipe Types
Galvanized
If your home is more than 50 years old, you might have galvanized plumbing. A very easy way to determine this is to hold a refridgerator magnet up to your pipe. If it does not stick to the pipe, you can install EasyWater using the standard instructions for copper plumbing. If the magnet does stick, you most likely have galvanized steel pipes and should contact an EasyWater dealer for installation.
Lead
It’s highly unlikely that your home is plumbed with lead pipes, but if you suspect that it might be, we recommend contacting one of our dealers to determine the best course of action. Just give us a call at 1(877) 708-3338 to be connected with a great dealer in your area!
6 Comments on "Can I Install EasyWater on Plastic Pipes?"
If I do install the easywater system, what do I do with all the equipment (salt system) I have now that takes care off my hard water. There are tanks, a white plastic tub to put the salt pellets in…etc.
I gotta know these things before I invest in your system.
Thanks,
A.P.
Hi Alan, that’s a great question and you have a couple of options. Many customers will have one of our authorized dealers install EasyWater and remove their existing water softener system at the same time. The dealer will reconnect the pipework where the water softener is currently installed, and haul away the softener. If you’d like to install EasyWater yourself, you can simply place your current water softener system on “bypass” initially, and remove it and reconnect the pipes at a later time.
My pvc pipes are all underground going to to our double wide mobile home from the pump.
1) Can the pipes be wrapped underground,?
2) Can the voltage be taken from the box at the pump,(220V)?
3) What exactly does the process remove from the water?
Thank-you,
Pete
Hi Pete, great questions! You can absolutely wrap your incoming line underground. You’ll want to cover over the wrap and the wire connectors with electrical tape, to guard against moisture. The best way to install the EasyWater No-Salt Conditioner in your pump house is to have an electrician run a grounded 110V line from that 220V line. And to answer your third question, the EasyWater No-Salt Conditioner actually doesn’t remove anything from the water! Rather, we physically change the water, and you can read a little more about the process in the blog post “The Problem With Limescale.”
What kind of wire does easywater use?
My mother-in-law has ugraded to 3/4″ copper in her home, not enuf wire for upgrade.
Please advise.
Thank you,
Lee Kiss
Hi Lee, just give us a call at 1(877) 708-3338 and request a new wire spool. We’ll send one out at no charge.