This installation guide provides a step by step, start to finish procedure for installing a basic whole house, automatic backwashing filter system using Fleck backwashing valves. None of the systems require regeneration with salt or chemicals to operate properly. We recommend the systems be set to backwash every 3rd or 4th day to keep them operating in peak performance.
Follow the instructions at this link for loading the media in the resin tank and installing the Fleck Control Valve, BEFORE continuing with these instructions.
Your new whole house, automatic backwashing filter system from the Ohio Pure Water Company comes with an owner/service manual, which, along with these instructions, will help explain all necessary details required for successful installation and operation of your system. Please refer to these instructions and the service manual supplied with your system during installation and programming.
All steps provided herein are for typical installations only. If you require additional plumbing, simply contact a person who is knowledgeable in residential plumbing or have a local plumbing company help you install, or install the system for you.
There is a bit of "over-kill" in our instructions, but please bear with us as we want to ensure that you, our customer, fully understand the instructions and are completely satisfied with your installation!
We recommend that you take a few minutes and look at the service/parts manual for your particular model, to help you better understand your new water filter. Take your time and carefully read the instructions.
Get all of the plumbing parts together before you start, and have an assistant help you, if possible. Typical installation should take no more than a few of hours.
If you are going to turn the water off to your house while installing the system, we recommend that you turn off the electricity to your electric water heater during installation. After the system is installed with water running through it, turn on a few hot and cold-water faucets, and let them run until there is no more air in your lines, then turn the electricity back on to your water heater.
Our filter systems can safely handle a pressure range of 35-95 psi; however, as with most residential plumbing and for best operation causing the least wear on critical parts, we recommend an operating range of 40-65psi.
We will have already pre-set the valve to regenerate according to the information you provided to us about your water. Now all you have to do is plumb in the system, plug it in and set the current time of day!
Your filter should be located in a protected, dry, level and non-freezing area.
We recommend a 1 ½" drain for the backwashing cycles. If possible, the house drain should be no more than 20 feet from the system. You will also need to purchase some flexible ½" inside diameter, plastic tubing from a local hardware or building supply store. (Always follow local plumbing codes).
You will need a standard 3-prong, 120V, grounded outlet that is not controlled by a switch. Our Fleck valves have a 5' power cord, but you can use an extension cord if an outlet is not nearby. Please follow any local building/safety codes if you need to use an extension cord.
Make a list of all the plumbing fittings you will need to completely install the system to make it ready for operation. Assemble all tools needed to install the system and start your installation!
Next, open all plumbing fixtures in the house including all outside faucets in order to drain the lines of all water possible.
Cut and remove a section of the main incoming water line near where the system is to be installed. Allowing this line to drain thoroughly.
Remove the yoke (or optional bypass valve) from the back of the tank valve by loosening the two small stainless steel clamps on either side of the rear valve assembly that holds it in place. Then, simply pull it off the back of the valve. Now that you have the yoke or bypass valve removed from the main valve, follow the directions below to make them ready to reinstall on the valve. (See Figure 1).
INSTRUCTIONS FOR USING A YOKE. If you have a standard Noryl Plastic yoke, it will have two ¾" or 1" male thread nipples, (one inlet & one outlet). You will need to buy two ¾" or 1" Female thread adapters to whatever type and size of piping you are plumbing the system to.
INSTRUCTIONS FOR USING A BYPASS VALVE. If you are using our optional ¾" or 1" brass bypass valve, you will need to purchase two ¾" or 1" Male thread adapters to whatever type and size pipe you are plumbing to.
If you are going to use copper piping and will be soldering joints, we do not recommend applying intense heat to your new valve assembly. We always recommend that you remove the yoke or bypass from the valve assembly, and attach your plumbing adapters to the yoke or bypass away from the valve. This simple step will ensure that you are not applying any heat as you solder or pressure as you tighten the adapters onto the yoke or bypass, while they are mounted on the valve body itself.
Another tip if you are using copper adapters. Always solder a 3" to 5" piece of copper pipe into each of the two pipe adapters while removed from the valve and let them cool off before threading each one onto the yoke or bypass valve.
After they cool off, apply pipe compound (we do not recommend using Teflon tape on these threads) to the male threads of the Noryl yoke, (or onto the male adapters for the brass bypass valve), and securely tighten them to the yoke or bypass valve. Again, doing this before you re-attach them back onto the rear of the valve/meter body assembly.
(Important!! WE DO NOT recommend connecting adapters to either the yoke or bypass valve, while the yoke or bypass valve is connected to the Valve assembly! You may exert too much pressure on the valve while securing the adapters, causing damage to the valve housing!)
After all soldering is finished and the adapters are securely threaded onto either the yoke or the brass bypass valve assembly, then attach the yoke or bypass valve back onto the valve assembly and secure it with the two small stainless steel clamps.
Now position your filter system in place for the final water line installation. (See Figure 1).
Remember: If you are using our optional brass bypass valve, make certain the bypass valve is set in the "Service" position while soldering the pipes to the system. Then return it to the "Bypass" position before turning your water back on to the house. (See Figure 2).
Measure and cut the lengths of pipe you need to plumb the main hard water line into your system. Then do the same for the conditioned water line that will exit from the system, back out into the house.
*NOTE* As you look directly into the two holes in your Fleck valve, the hard water line will always enter the hole on the LEFT SIDE of the yoke or bypass valve assembly. The valve body also has an arrow stamped into each side, showing the direction of flow. (See Figure 3).
If you use our optional bypass valve, arrows indicating water flow direction are printed on the top of the bypass valve assembly. (See Figure 2).
Just remember, that as you are looking directly into the two holes where the water enters and exits the valve, the hard water line from your house always enters the hole on the LEFT. The conditioned water flowing out from the system, back into your house is always the hole on the RIGHT. (See Figure 3).
All of our Fleck valves have a drain hose barb, generally located on the lower, backside or side of the valve. First, check to make certain this drain hose barb is securely threaded into the valve body and that the threads have been sealed with Teflon tape. (See Figure 4).
Once you know the drain hose barb is installed properly, carefully push the 1/2" ID plastic drain hose completely over the barbed end of the fitting, and then attach a small hose clamp to the end of the line so it cannot work loose over time. Run the opposite end of this drain hose to the drain you are going to use for your system. Remember to leave a small air gap at the end of the hose going to the house drain. (Follow local plumbing codes), and secure it there.
When the system is in the backwash mode, water will flow out of this drain line with a fair amount of pressure, especially during the "rapid rinse phases" of the process, and the line may sometimes "jump" a little when changing cycles.
INSTRUCTIONS FOR USING A YOKE. Turn all faucets in the house to the off position, except one faucet, (preferably an outside faucet, a laundry sink or bathtub). Turn your water on slowly. letting this one faucet run open for a few minutes, allowing the water to rinse the inside of your resin tank out and settle the media. After a few minutes, turn the faucet off and start opening each faucet in the house one by one until all the air is out of the water lines. You now have filtered water on your cold side! The hot water will take a couple of days to be filtered, as your water heater is full of raw water.
INSTRUCTIONS FOR USING A BYPASS VALVE. Make sure your bypass valve is in the bypass position. Turn your water on slowly, leaving all your faucets open until water starts coming out of them. After they are running steady and all the air is out of the water lines, turn them off one by one. The raw water will be bypassing your system at this time. After your waterlines in the house are running again, make sure they are all turned off. Slowly open your bypass valve and begin filling the resin tank with water. In a few minutes, the sound of water entering the system will stop.
Look in your service manual for your particular model of Fleck valve and manually run your valve through a regeneration cycle. To do this, simply turn the manual "Regen" dial clockwise just a few "clicks" at a time, stopping at each setting for a few minutes to clear the air out of the resin tank and valve.
Once you have completed turning the "Regen" knob one complete revolution and it is set back to the "Service" position, the system is now ready for use!
Finally, plug the valve in the electrical outlet and set the current time of day. Our filter systems will regenerate around 1:00am. (See Figure 5).
Check all connections for leaks. You now have filtered water!
Even though you now have filtered water in your cold water lines, your water heater is still full of raw water. Through normal use, this water will be replaced with filtered water in about 2 or 3 days.
We supply a toll free number to all of our customers to use, in case they don't understand something contained in our installation instructions.
Hard copper pipe generally comes in two types. Use the thicker "L" type copper pipe rather than thinner "M" type copper pipe.
Follow your local plumbing and building codes when installing our systems.
Please Email us a picture of your installed system! Let us see how good of a job you did on the installation.
