Water Softener

[Gerrard]

I am not talking about the small jug ones, but rather the ones you put under the sink on the main water supply.

I live in a very hard water area (around 360ppm, twice the 180ppm classed as "hard") and my shower has started to play up. I probably should have fitted something when I first moved in 4 years' ago when the place was first built, but figure it's better late than never. I live alone and my water usage is very low (around 1200l/month), so I am thinking of getting this system as a metered system will be a lot more efficient for me: -

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Water2buy-A.../dp/B009SOYMTE

I would probably split it so it doesn't link into the kitchen tap and therefore doesn't affect the drinking water. I was just wondering if anyone had experience with them or any suggestions? Cheers.

[peterb]

I also live in a hard water area and had something similar (basically they are all the same, a drum of ion exchange resin and some control gear - the difference seems are in the control gear to regenerate the resin with brine)

They are well worth it, no limescale and better still, over time the limescale that is in your water systems will gradually dissolve in the softened water, so toilets, taps, heating systems will become scale free.

The cost is that of the salt that needs topping up periodically, and increased water use which will affect your water bill if you are on a metered water supply.

You may find one or two taps start dripping over time as the built up limescale dissolves (the limescale may have damaged washers, but it’s presence maintains the integrity of the seal) but they are easily dealt with.

You will need somewhere to put it (which is why I haven’t installed mine in my new house) but I don’t think you will regret it. You will use less detergent in a machine machine and if you have a dishwasher, you won’t need to put salt in that.

[Gerrard]

Yeah, something I haven't quite done yet is measure everything under the sink to see if and how it will fit. Power is also a slight issue, but I should be able to get a splitter from the dishwater outlet (which I use to power a small fridge freezer as I don't need a dishwasher!).

[Butcher]

As someone who lives in a soft water area (24 ppm) I can tell you that soft water is excellent. Do it, you won't regret it.

[Zak33]

and never... EVER... ever fit one in the loft.

under the sink is fine.

[spacein_vader]

and never... EVER... ever fit one in the loft.

under the sink is fine.

Probably a stupid question, but why not? Leaks? Freezing up?

[rich835]

I also live in a hard water area. I had a Combimate device installed when I had my new boiler fitted. http://www.combimate.co.uk/ Although the Plumber installed mine, it's pretty easy to do anyway.
The Combiphos refills only need to be changed once a year <£30

[peterb]

Probably a stupid question, but why not? Leaks? Freezing up?

Partly, but also because if a valve sticks it can overflow. The tanks are fitted with an overflow anyway, but if that becomes blocked...

You can fit one in an attic, but all the pipework should be insulated and/or fitted with trace heating and the softener itself should sit in a separate tank/bund with a large bore separate drain.

I also live in a hard water area. I had a Combimate device installed when I had my new boiler fitted. http://www.combimate.co.uk/ Although the Plumber installed mine, it's pretty easy to do anyway.
The Combiphos refills only need to be changed once a year <£30

They add phosphate to the water to react with the calcium, and is a treatment designed for heating systems, rather than water that may be drunk.

The ion exchange process substitutes calcium ions for sodium ions, the resulting sodium carbonate is not deposited as scale. The water is safe to drink, although it is recommende that an untreated tap is available for regular drinking use as the slightly higher sodium levels could have an effect on people with high blood pressure.

[Bagnaj97]

and never... EVER... ever fit one in the loft.

under the sink is fine.

Ok, I'll bite... what's wrong with putting one in the loft?

[rich835]

They add phosphate to the water to react with the calcium, and is a treatment designed for heating systems, rather than water that may be drunk.

The ion exchange process substitutes calcium ions for sodium ions, the resulting sodium carbonate is not deposited as scale. The water is safe to drink, although it is recommende that an untreated tap is available for regular drinking use as the slightly higher sodium levels could have an effect on people with high blood pressure.

That I didn't know, but I've never been a fan of tap water taste anyway. I have a Water Bar from Virgin Pure for drinking water, also really happy with that :-)

[jimborae]

We have a similar Ensign water softener fitted in our garage, which i had reconditioned a couple of years ago as the tank that holds the funny little pellets split and they got into our water system.

Have to say it munches through salt like there's no tomorrow (and yes it's set up correctly) and I'm not sure it makes that much of difference. Not sure how I could easily test it but it's just a personal feeling i have.

I'm just down the A34 from the OP so I can sympthathise with the water quality, it's hard as fracking nails !!!

[Gerrard]

and never... EVER... ever fit one in the loft.

under the sink is fine.

The main inlet is under the kitchen sink anyway, so would be the most logical place to try and fit it. My place is a coach-house, with an open plan lounge/kitchen and one bathroom, so the water network is pretty compact and straightforward. Except for the bloody shower! Can't isolate that (took the side off the bath to look), so have to turn off the main water supply before playing around with it.

[peterb]

The main inlet is under the kitchen sink anyway, so would be the most logical place to try and fit it. My place is a coach-house, with an open plan lounge/kitchen and one bathroom, so the water network is pretty compact and straightforward. Except for the bloody shower! Can't isolate that (took the side off the bath to look), so have to turn off the main water supply before playing around with it.

Fit a couple of isolating valves when you turn the water off to install the softener. It’ll take about 30 minutes at most. Pays dividends if/when you have a problem with it.