Look for a lever or a knob near the water inlet pipes. It usually has three positions: “Service,” “Bypass,” and “Backwash.” For daily use, keep it on “Service.” That means the water flows through the softener. Flip it to “Bypass” if you ever need to fix the unit or if you’re watering your garden (because plants don’t need salty water—they get pouty). Seriously, my ferns stage a protest.
Water Softener How They Work | How Does a Water Softener Work? Parts
