Find your main water line. It’s usually in the basement, garage, or that creepy crawlspace you avoid. Fun fact: In many Southern homes, the water line runs through the utility closet next to the water heater—a setup that screams 1990s efficiency. Your softener should be installed before the water heater, but after the outdoor spigots (you don’t need soft water for your garden hose).
If you’re unsure, just follow the pipe from your meter. It’s like following breadcrumbs, but with less Hansel and Gretel and more high-pressure plumbing. Cultural reference: This is the plumbing equivalent of “The Blair Witch Project”—just when you think you’re lost, you find the clearing.
How to Install a Water Softener: 15 Steps (with Pictures)