Most homeowners only see the final result of an installation, a unit in the utility room and a faucet that runs softer. The useful way to judge the job is to know the sequence the crew should follow and to notice where a step is missing. You do not need to do the work yourself to check it. You only need to know what should happen, and in what order.
Before the crew arrives
Confirm the location of the water shutoff, the drain point, and a working power outlet. Make sure the unit has room to be serviced and that the drain connection and any bypass plan are agreed in advance. Ask for the water test that the sizing was based on, and check that the unit you are getting matches it. If anything is unclear, settle it before installation day, when changes are harder and more expensive.
The installation itself
A competent crew will shut off the water, relieve the pressure in the lines, and then make the connections. They should install or confirm the bypass, route the drain line to an approved drain point with an air gap, and set the brine tank where the salt can be reached without strain. Watch for the crew testing for leaks before they leave, not just assuming the joints hold. If the crew skips the pressure check, ask them to do it while you are there.
Starting the unit
After the connections are made, the unit should be filled, a first regeneration run should be started, and the programmed settings should be entered and confirmed. Ask the technician to show you the display, explain what the settings mean, and tell you how to start a manual regeneration. Check that the drain line is not kinked and that water is leaving the drain as expected during the cycle.
What to check in the first days
- Look at the connections and the floor under the unit for any moisture
- Confirm that salt has been added to the brine tank and that the level is recorded
- Run a hot and a cold tap and note whether the water feels softer
- Check that the drain is clear and that the unit has completed its scheduled cycle
Give the system a few days before you judge the result. A brief leak or an incomplete first cycle can show up later, and you want to catch it while the installer is still reachable.
Signing off
Before the crew leaves, make sure you have the settings in writing, the warranty paperwork, and a contact for future service. Note the date of installation on the paperwork you keep. If any step in the sequence was skipped, ask for it to be done before you sign off, not after.