Once everything’s plumbed and programmed, turn the water back on very slowly. Check for leaks at every connection. Then, run the softener through a manual regeneration cycle (the manual will show you how). This primes the system and beds the resin. After it finishes, run your kitchen faucet cold for a few minutes to clear any air or loose particles.
Now, fill a glass. Taste it. It should feel slick—almost silky—on your fingers. If it tastes like salt, you’ve got a brine line problem or the bypass is set wrong. If it still tastes like pennies, you might have missed the hardness setting. It’s not rocket science—just don’t panic.