Outside Water Softener Installations
Question: Are your water softeners rated for outside placement? Here in central Florida, almost every installer is placing the units outside of the home buried 1 1/2 to 2 feet next to the city water value. If it is, does that shorten the electronics warranty?
Answer: If you live in a part of the country where it does not freeze (or seldom freezes) then you probably know that sometimes the only place to install a water softener or filter is outside. While most water softeners and filters are able to be installed outside, the combination of sun, wind and rain is not conducive to longevity. I have seen water softeners and backwashing filters buried a couple of feet into the ground and while it may work, it is less than optimal. It's like buying a new lawnmower and storing it outside. Any rational person realizes that it will last much longer if it is stored in a dry place where the elements can do no damage. Ultraviolet light from the sun does damage to the plastic components of a water softener much like it damages the skin. Rain and high humidity is also undesirable for the electronics and mechanical parts. 
If something has value, you should take steps to protect it whenever possible. Since a water softener has electronics and other parts that will deteriorate in the sun and rain, it would be foolish to buy an expensive product and not protect it. We recommend that if you are installing a water softener or other treatment product, that you protect it from the elements as much as possible. We have found that a product like the Suncast Plastic Cabinet above is an excellent way to protect your investment. Many people use paver blocks or pour a concrete base for the cabinet and anchor it to the home. I have also seen homeowners build their own cabinet out of wood and even insulate it and put a small heater inside (or light bulb) in case of freezing. So, in summary, you can install a US Water Systems water softener or filter outside in a climate where it does not freeze, but in light of the above information, why would you?
20 Comments
Kinetico is a good system (very, very expensive) and it does not use electricity. However, I would still keep it enclosed UV light will extract a toll.
My home in Florida is built on a slab where the main water line comes in at the far end from any sort of shelter. It’s an end wall with nothing to protect a water softener. The existing Morton MSS20B softener is weather-beaten and has stopped operating. What is the best option or alternative location when it comes to replacing this machine? I considered building a “well house” for it. Any other ideas, or are there models designed to be placed outside?
ANY softener that is put outside is going to have it’s life substantially diminished. Does one of the containers referred to in the article not work? There are bigger ones and a well house is also an excellent idea. It is just best to be covered from the elements and animals.
We just started looking at water filters and softeners, and I just learned that a POE system at our home would have to go outside. As someone mentioned above, our water enters on the far side of our house, not on a wall next to the garage. So what I thought would be simple has become much more complicated. Sun exposure is very minimal due to a nice large tree, but rain and general moisture would still be an issue. Thanks for the shed idea as an enclosure, I will keep that in mind. As for products offered on this website, I’m trying to look at them, but an annoying coupon window keeps popping up and it will not close when I click the X. :)
Thank you – we fixed the Pop up! If you need help in cholosing a system, plase call one of our water specialists – none are on commission.
Fixed!
Hi. The two of us live in Florida, and need to install a water softener outside the house. We have high levels of rock and metal content in the city water. What type and model should I buy? Should I have it mounted inside a protective cabinet? Who should I call upon to help me pick the model and install it?
I strongly recommend a protective cabinet for any outdoor installation of any softener or filter. We can help you. I will have one of our water experts contact you.
I just a house in St Cloud Florida with a a Rayne whole house installed outside. it stopped working so now im shopping to replace it with another outside system Any suggestions or names of systems will be welcome and appreciated .
Thank you for your interest. Here is what I would recommend:
Step 1: 5 Micron Magna Filter https://www.uswatersystems.com/us-water-magna-filter-25-gpm.html?quantity=1&filter-options=18 – $189.95
Step 2: Bodyguard Filter https://www.uswatersystems.com/module-2-us-water-bodyguard-whole-house-chemical-removal-filter.html?quantity=1&flow-rate=16 – $1,395.00
Step 3: Matrixx Water Softener https://www.uswatersystems.com/matrixx-water-softener-with-smartphone-programming.html?quantity=1&flow-rate=16 – $1,699.00
Step 4: Reverse Osmosis For Drinking Water https://www.uswatersystems.com/galaxy-5-stage-reverse-osmosis-system-gx-5050.html – $199.95
Total Cost: $3,483.90
Discount (13%) – $452.91
Final Cost – $3,030.99 With FREE SHIPPING”
If you buy within the next two weeks, I can extend and extra $250 discount. Let me know if you have questions.
Thank you very much.
I’m in S. California, freezing is very rare. There is no space in the house and our water heater is outside. Separate garage is more than 30 feet from the house. I would like to house a water softener in a structure as you have described, next to our water heater cabinet. Water hookups are not a problem, but I am wondering your thoughts on backflush/drain connections?
You can tie it into your sanitary sewer or some people use a dry well:
https://www.thisoldhouse.com/how-to/how-to-install-dry-well
I live in a remote area of Arizona. I have 2 each 2500 gallon tanks, and use a haul water service. It works fine, but the water is hard. Thinking of adding a softener in the pump house. The pump house is pretty small, but I’m purchasing a yard shed and removing the existing shed. It will be a big improvement for the times I have to work on the pump, pressure tank, pressure switch, etc. All my existing pipes and equipment have heat trace, as it does become very cold here in the winter. My question is: When regenerating, etc., is it safe to dispose of brine in a septic system?
In a word: YES!
If you have a septic system that works for regular household water, it will work for a water softener.
There is actually evidence that a water softener can help a septic tank function much better.