Water softener in cellar but no drain

[Andrew Sarangan]

We just bought a very old home, and are in need of a water softener. There is plumbing already in place for a water softener in the cellar. However, since there is no drain in the cellar, it appears that they had run a tubing 12 ft up and 15 ft across to reach the nearest drain. I am not sure how well this arrangement worked for them, but Kenmore (which is the brand we are considering) says that the drain cannot be more than 8 ft high. I am looking for options to get around this obstacle. Is it possible to use a bucket-style automatially-activated utility pump to pump the discharge from the water softener? Anything wrong with this idea?

[CLSSM00X7]

Hi,

A flaot activated pump is a good idea. make sure the pan gets cholrine tabs from time to time to avoid mold however.

candice

[Gary Slusser]

"Andrew Sarangan" wrote

That's because they don't use an industry standard 1/2" ID drain line. They also don't use an industry standard valve to tank, or tank, connection. And depending on your water quality, you're probably making a mistake with using that brand on private well water.

To check the drain line issue, look at the hole in the drain line connection fitting. At best it's 1/4" and the fitting accepts less than a 1/2" ID line. So no, that brand can't go 12', but then others can't either unless you increase the drain line flow control and use a top basket to keep the resin in the tank. And I don't suggest that. A sump pump would work but you should limit the choice to plastic due to the 'salt' water. I'd only use a pump if there were no sewer or drain lines to connect to (properly, with an air gap and trap) in the basement.

If you want a quote on a high quality softener, e-mail me with your water analysis data and the number of people using the water.

Gary Quality Water Associates

[Gary Slusser]

"CLSSM00X7" wrote

cholrine tabs

IMO mold is usually not found in a sump pump pit, but bacteria can be and that can produce an odor. But even that is rare. Any pump for this application should be plastic.

Gary Quality Water Associates

[Punch]

why not run the plumbing closer to the drain then?

my softener drain line is 10' and at an 8' height works fine.

[Andrew Sarangan]

What type of pump do you think would work? I checked the Little Giant water pumps and they said none of their pumps cam be used for corrosive liquids. I am not sure if the discharge the softener necessarily qualifies as corrosive, but I imagine that it might deteriorate the pump faster than regular water. Are there any manufacturers of plastic pumps?

[Charlie Spitzer]

sure, lots of them. look at marine fish tank pumps for instance. little giant, iwaki, etc. all have no exposed metal, which would rust in salt water tanks, for instance.

[Gary Slusser]

"Andrew Sarangan" wrote

softener.

automatially-activated

Anything

I'm not much for pumping it. It adds to the cost to both purchase and operate when the softener/filter can do it on its own but... Any plastic pump you can find should work. Do a google search.

Gary Quality Water Associates