Is it best to use a traditional water filter with the VWR?

That depends upon the water source. With some sources, a traditional filter is needed, with others it is not needed. Most city water supplies have times when excessive sediment is floating in the water due to fire hydrant use or construction. At those times, we recommend either using a prefilter, or not drinking the water.

Does a carbon filter affect the VWR?

When a filter is used, experience shows that the best combination is to have the filter first and the OWR after the filter. However, it is acceptable to reverse the order.

Is this a new technology?

The basic technology has been proven in Europe since the 1930's. Some of the enhancements, specifically that in the dual action River of Life models are much newer.

How can I find out more information about this product?

Go to AliveWater.com!

Product Installation Guides

Contents
Installation Guides
	Whole House VWR and River of Life VWR
	Plastic Pipe
	Kitchen Super Deluxe VWR
	Shower Of Life Deluxe VWR
	Instructions in French - Whole House VWR
To order

Instructions For Installing the Copper Whole House VWR

The Vortex Water Revitalizer comes with two couplings. The couplings must be soldered onto the main water line and onto the Vortex Water Revitalizer's pipe. See illustration below.

 

 

Lead free, silver solder should be used. It does not matter which end is the entrance point of the water. It is fool proof in this respect.

Another method of installation: If you prefer not to solder the pipe, you can purchase two copper/PEX/CPVC/PB coupler adaptors at the hardware store, cut out the pipe, put the VWR in place and install according to the instructions with the adaptors. (The SharkBite adaptor requires a special tool to remove the adaptor (which you purcase when you purchase the adaptor), but US Plastics', PEX Coupler, does not require any special tool. However it is only available in 1/2" and 3/4" sizes as of November 2009.) They are easy to install and might take you as few as 10 minutes from starting to cut the pipe to in the water back on. It is much easier to remove the VWR to take with you if you move using this method.  We do not recommend any means of attaching the VWR to your pipe which will physically deform the VWR.  Some compression fittings do this.  If you prefer to solder the Whole House Copper VWR onto your main line, follow the instructions below.

 

This is just to give you an idea of how water moves inside the VWRs. There are no moving parts in any of the VWRs.

Please read complete instructions before proceeding. It may save you extra work. Make sure you have the right model. Copper model for your copper and plastic pipes and stainless steel if your pipes are stainless steel.

Supplies

	no-lead solder for domestic water lines
	00 steel wool or green scrub pad
	solder flux (can)
	torch for soldering
	pipe cutter to cut up the pipe. (Do not use hacksaw)

Instructions

1. Using steel wool or scrub pad and clean VWR about 1 1/2" at each end until clean and free of protective finish. Clean inside of coupling as well (both ends).
2. Be sure to shut the water off and drain the pipe before cutting it or you will have much water come out of your pipe when you cut it. Cut the pipe downstream or on the house side of main shut off.  NOTE:   CAUTION!!   Do not cut any closer than 6" from the main shut off.
3. Shut off water to both sides of hot water tank. If your main shut off has a bleed screw on the side of it (once the water is off), open bleed screw and drain into pail. Once you start to bleed the pipes, open all the taps in the house (shower, kitchen, etc.) as well as flush the toilets and drain outside hose taps. (This will make sure no water flows into your new solder joint while soldering).
4. If your pipe is PB, PEX, CPVC, copper, or any other CPS-sized pipe you may use adaptors that you purchase from a hardware store for a much easier installation.  For IPS-sized pipe (PVC, iron pipe, and orange-colored CPVC) you will need to get a different kind of adaptor.
5. If you copper pipe and choose to solder the pipe follow the following steps.
6. If your pipe is 3/4" copper, cut a section of pipe out of existing water line 1/8" longer than the VWR pipe.
7. Once the water is out of the lines and the pipe is cut, clean both exposed ends of pipes with scrub pad or steel wool. If the pipes are strapped down, remove the straps for ease of assembly before soldering.
8. If the pipes are rigid and cannot be moved, the couplings have a small dimple inside which centres the coupling between the pipes to be soldered. This must be filed out without damaging the inside of the pipe. A small round file will do this. Once done, the coupling will slide completely over the pipe to allow for installation.
9. When all pipes and couplings are clean, flux must be applied to all metal surfaces to be soldered. Once done, assemble VWR and couplings, making sure couplings are centered on joint.
10. If your shut off has no bleed screw and cutting is the only way to bleed the lines:
    you must remove any water that may be in the lines from shut off to solder joint. You can do this by pushing a cloth into the 6" pipe to absorb the water.
11. Soldering - Vertical and horizontal pipe settings - Put flame of torch in center of coupling while running end of solder along edge of coupling. When solder melts, it will be drawn into coupling. Run solder around entire edge of coupling. Repeat other side and remove heat. Run solder once more over first side soldered. Let cool 2 minutes and repeat procedure on other coupling. Do not bump hot solder joint until cool.
    NOTE: Do not over heat; use only enough heat to draw in solder!
12. Once soldering is complete, let cool 5 minutes and turn main water on, 1/4 open.
13. Let run 1 minute and close all taps in house, check for leaks.
14. If okay, turn water open full and open hot water tank shut offs.

This Whole House VWR (3/4" copper model) was installed on a copper line using compression fittings. The advantages of using compression fitting are that you don't have to solder and if you move, it is easier to remove it and install it in your new home.

From a customer of mine I received this solution. However, I do not have any personal experience and you still have to have some handyman skills:

"I put in the VWR yesterday. I purchased two brass pressure fittings at the hardware store, cut out the pipe, put the VWR in place and tightened the nuts. It worked perfectly, took only about 10 minutes total and I can easily take it out if I move."

 

If you have any problems or questions please contact us.

Download instructions in French - Whole House VWR

 

Plastic Pipe Installation

Instructions

The following instructions apply only if the copper/PEX/PB/CPVC adaptors mentioned above are not used.

1. If you have plastic piping, go to your hardware or lumber yard with a sample of your pipe and coupler and purchase the adapter needed with crimps and rent a crimping.
2. Be sure to use flux on all parts to be soldered. Solder couplings and adapters to VWR, one end at a time allowing for one minute of cooling before proceeding to other end.
3. Once soldered and cooled, fit into place, cutting plastic pipe where required. Make sure to put crimps over plastic pipe before putting VWR in place. Crimp and follow procedure previously described on turning water back on.
4. Run water in all taps for 10 minutes to remove flux from your newly soldered water lines.
5. The VWR comes with two dressing couplings, which you solder onto the main water line and the Vortex Water Revitalizer as illustrated above.
6. The dressing couplings are to be soldered onto the main water line as well as onto the VWR's 3/4" pipe. Use lead free, silver solder. It does not matter which end is the entrance point of the water. It is fool proof in this respect.

If you have any problems or questions please contact us.

 

Installation of the Kitchen Super Deluxe VWR

Tools

	assorted supplies
	pliers
	adjustable wrench

Instructions

1. Unscrew the little filter at the end of your kitchen tap, if there is one.
2. If the thread is on the outside of your kitchen tap, screw on the top fitting of the VWR to the end of your faucet using your fingers. If it is too tight for you then use pliers, but protect the fitting with a piece of cloth or thick paper. You can use your right hand to turn the VWR pipe thereby helping your left hand turning the fitting.
3. If your kitchen tap has an inside thread, take the little black plastic-adaptor, supplied with your Kitchen Super Deluxe Vortex Water Revitalizer, put the washer on its top and screw the adapter onto your kitchen tap. Now take your Kitchen Super Deluxe Vortex Water Revitalizer and screw it onto the faucet. In most cases you won't be needing pliers. Just use your fingers. Tighten until it is firmly fitted.
4. When you are all done and your new Kitchen Super Deluxe Vortex Water Revitalizer is running smoothly, let it run for a few minutes to rinse out any particles from the installation process.
5. Now enjoy a rarity in this world - revitalized water.
6. Travelling: it is so easy to deinstall and install on almost any kitchen tap when you are travelling. You can even push back the top fitting and attach a funnel in order to run any source of water through it for revitalization purposes.

If you have any problems or questions please contact us.

 

Installation Of the Shower Of Life Deluxe VWR

Instructions

1. Remove shower head.  Put teflon tape (plumber's tape) on the Shower of LIfe VWR threads.
2. Screw the VWR onto the pipe coming out of the wall or from where you detached your shower head. Screw it on tight.
3. Now take your shower head and screw it onto the other end of the VWR, the end with the threaded fitting. Use th teflon plumber tape again, just a little bit. (The teflon tape is to stop leaks. It may not be necessary.)
4. Let the water run for a minute.
5. Now, you are ready to step into the Shower of Life waterfall-like environment and you can start enjoying your showers in a new way.

When you want to take a regular bath, you can still use the shower to fill your tub with water.

Think of the fact that your body absorbs huge amounts of water when you shower and be aware of the difference you might feel from changing to revitalized water.

If you have any problems or questions please contact us.