Inline tap water filters - what type?

gwapenut

Hi
I've been looking at the inline water filters that fit under a kitchen sink and, frankly, am confused.

There seem to be a few different types, what is not clear to me is which ones will make a decent job of reducing (perhaps not eliminating) limescale buildup AND improving taste - the equivalent of a Britax jug filter? I don't want to buy a Britax inline filter as the replacement cartridges are a ripoff.

Does anyone have any experience in this area ...?

sillygoose

Until recently and for many years we used an Astracast Springflow tap. Mainly because it looks normal, you just push the cold lever the other way and filtered water comes out instead of regular cold, it clicks to help you find middle off. We have a very limescaled supply and when the kids were young I wanted them to drink purer water.

Generally all these tap filters use a carbon filter material, which is of little help with limescale to be honest. The Springflow was playing up a bit so I recently replaced it with a conventional tap. You can get bags of citric acid for a few quid on ebay, a couple of teaspoons descale kettles and things easily and non-toxically.

The springflow was easy to fit using one of those self cutting splice on taps on the cold pipe. The cartridges last 4 to 6 months and fit with push on connectors and the cartridge clips to the side of the cupboard. They can be a ripoff with people charging £30 a go but they are all pretty much the same (tried many) but for the latter years found the opella aqua shield fits the same and works well for £9.98 from any B&Q so have used very many.

Those electronic things are useless and I am afraid to get drinkable reduced limescale in the house can get quite expensive to achieve hence why I found an easy way to descale.

lexie55_2

I have the Brita three-way titanium tap and am more than pleased with it. Yes, cartridges are a bit expensive, but I do not change them as soon as the red light appears, which is normally 90 days.

gwapenut

Thanks for the replies. Agree about carbon filters not being great for limescale. I've been wondering whether a two stage process is best - a standard, cheap, inline carbon filter plus an inline electrolytic (not electronic) scale reducer.

This scale inhibitor seems to get good reviews on screwfix and I get the impression they last years rather than months:-
http://www.screwfix.com/p/salamander-sesi-electrolytic-scale-inhibitor/60422#product_additional_details_container

digitaly

gwapenut wrote: »

Thanks for the replies. Agree about carbon filters not being great for limescale. I've been wondering whether a two stage process is best - a standard, cheap, inline carbon filter plus an inline electrolytic (not electronic) scale reducer.

This scale inhibitor seems to get good reviews on screwfix and I get the impression they last years rather than months:-
http://www.screwfix.com/p/salamander-sesi-electrolytic-scale-inhibitor/60422#product_additional_details_container

As far as I know.... That would now improve the taste of the water. That only help direct connected appliance to not get scales... But only few inces away from it. I got one under the gas boiler. OP wants a water filter for drinking water and so that product it's not improving the taste at all. Have a look here for more info http://www.scalemaster.co.uk/limescale/limescale_mag_pages/limescale_mag.html

I'm looking for an under the counter product that will improve the taste of the water THAT'S NOT BEEN MADE IN CHINA!!! sorry but it has to be shouted due to many very low quality product in the market.

I have found this website http://www.uk-water-filters.co.uk/ and thinking of giving it a try.

gwapenut

Yes you're right it wouldn't imrpove the taste on the own, I was talking about using it inline with a taste improving cartridge too. Seems like the best way of improving both taste and scale to me ...?