Water softener for flat

e-dan

Hi All,

I live in a flat in east London near the Thames and the water quality is causing problems, particularly for myself and my wife's dry skin.

I'm considering purchasing a water softener but would like some advice.

The water does not come in under the kitchen sink like most houses - it comes down from the ceiling inside a cupboard by the front door (this is where the shut off valve is, though the water meter itself is actually before that in a communal area, by the lift)

In the cupboard is also the immersion heater (an electric one) with pressure release valves which look like they go into waste pipes, with an air gap.

This seems like the most sensible place to install a water softener (straight after the main stop valve) but will the following cause me big problems:

- water pressure to the kitchen - do softener's vastly reduce it?
- drinking water tap - I know it is a legal requirement but can I install it in the same cupboard (and must it have a sink) or will it have to be piped to the kitchen too
- close proximity to the immersion heater - the cupboard is the warmest place in the flat so will this affect the temperature of the cold water drastically?

Has anyone had an installation performed in a similar situation?

Thanks for your help,

Chunks

Morning,

There are specialists on here but on the back of a recent installation (my own house) I did a lot of research.

Based on my understandng:

1) "water pressure to the kitchen - do softener's vastly reduce it?"

Mine does (but it makes no difference to my set-up) but you can get connections that provide less restricted flow, so it shouldn't be a problem.

2) "drinking water tap - I know it is a legal requirement but can I install it in the same cupboard (and must it have a sink) or will it have to be piped to the kitchen too"

I'm not 100% clear I understand you. (Not sure about the whether it's legal) but some on here soften ALL water - including drinking. I have chosen the unsoftened drinking water route and teed off to the softener so that everything else gets a supply of soft water. Basically you have to locate the unit to allow it to be supplied with mains water (inlet) and provide treated water (outlet). A regen process takes place regularly and this needs a waste connection (as would the overflow - might be combined on higher end machines). Most units need power.

3) "close proximity to the immersion heater - the cupboard is the warmest place in the flat so will this affect the temperature of the cold water drastically?"

Water passes through the unit on route somewhere (it doesn't store it. If there is a heat gain (thinking about it logically) it should be no worse than it is now.

Search on here for other threads. I would also chat with neighbours (maybe they have already installed something)?

Good luck,

e-dan

Hi,

Thanks for your reply.

I'm also intending to soften everything but I think I need to provision for (as you have) a separate tap for unsoftened water - in case we have a baby at some point in the future, and I did read somewhere it is a legal requirement too.

I'm thinking of using a drinking fountain for this - a ~£200 one (similar to the ones in hospitals/schools) means I get something small and simple with a tap and drainage. What I'm trying to avoid is having to have the tap in the kitchen where another long pipe will be required under the floor.

Electric connection and waste is ok, those are easily available. I think I should be ok to put one in then - just need to choose one now!

My only other question is since you've had yours installed how happy are you with it compared to before?

Chunks

I have lived with hard water all my life. There is so much hype about water softeners (with stupid high prices to match) that I regarded them as snake oil until only recently. Now I have one, I would put having one on the same list as a dishwasher, internet and my mobile.

Do your research (find the main thread on here and elsewhere on the internet) and if you can afford it, go for it. If you are a reasonably skilled DIYer, you can self fit. I got my kit from here:

(Link removed by MSE Forum Team)

Speedy service and cracking price (no, I don't work for them).

Ongoing cost is salt. Be aware that block salt (although convenient to use) is much more expensive than tablet salt. Twin tanks are also pushed heavily but you pay a high premium for a rather doubtful extra benefit (some will say).

Good luck.

e-dan

Hi again,

Many thanks for your advice - I am much closer to buying one now!