How to Bypass a Culligan Water Softener
Water softeners are essential for those with hard water. Hard water is caused by calcium and magnesium minerals that dissolve in the water. These minerals can cause scale buildup, which can clog pipes, and make water look, taste, and smell unpleasant. A Culligan water softener can help reduce the effects of hard water, but there may be times when you want to bypass it. Whether youre planning on going away for a few days, or you just want to test out how hard your water is without the softener, heres how you can bypass your Culligan water softener.
Step 1: Locate the Bypass Valve
The first step to bypassing your Culligan water softener is to locate the bypass valve. Depending on the model, the bypass valve may be located on the top, side or bottom of the unit. The bypass valve will have two positionsu2014in and out.
Step 2: Shut Off the Water
Before you can move the bypass valve, youll need to shut off the water to the unit. To do this, locate the shut off valve, which should be attached to the water line that connects the unit to the main water supply. This valve should have a handle that you can turn clockwise to shut off the water.
Step 3: Move the Bypass Valve
Once youve shut off the water, you can move the bypass valve to the out position. This will allow the water to bypass the unit and not be softened. Make sure the valve is fully in the out position before turning the water back on.
Step 4: Turn the Water Back On
Once the bypass valve has been moved to the out position, you can turn the water back on. To do this, locate the shut off valve again and rotate it counter-clockwise until its open. Once the water is back on, you can test the water to make sure its not being softened.
Step 5: Revert the Bypass Valve
Once youre done testing the water, you can move the bypass valve back to the in position. This will allow the water to be softened again, and you can turn the water back on and use it as normal.
Bypassing a Culligan water softener is a relatively simple process. While its not something that needs to be done regularly, it can be beneficial if you want to test the water hardness or if youre going away for a few days and dont want to waste the salt in the unit. Just make sure to move the bypass valve back to the in position when youre done, otherwise your water may not be softened