You don’t need a plumber’s license or a degree in engineering. You just need a Saturday afternoon, a few tools, and a willingness to get a little wet. Your shopping list: a water softener unit (pre-sized for your household), flexible copper or braided hoses, a bypass valve, thread seal tape (Teflon tape), a bucket, and a pipe cutter or hacksaw. Oh, and your partner’s patience—you’ll be borrowing that for a few hours.
Most softeners come with a straightforward manual. Read it first. I know, you’re tempted to skip to the pictures, but trust me—skipping a step to save ten minutes can cost you a flooded laundry room. Also, grab a smart phone or tablet to watch a quick YouTube tutorial if you’re feeling nervous. This is the modern version of asking your dad for advice, minus the lecture.