water softner help in chosing and is this true

Ianwzzz

I went for a Calmag Calsoft water softener mainly because of the price. I had problems after 7 months and Calmag have the worst customer service and backup. I will never buy another one again.

brumster

yimpster wrote: »

hey peeps. one of my tubes has sprung a leak (i was using the original ones from the MC250) and looking to buy a single hose. any ideas where i can buy just a single one from that wont break the bank?

all the usual plumbing places only sell washing machine hoses which are much narrower. OR I have to buy a pair which i dont need from the water softner guys and get stung with P & P

I'ver had a quick look and they appear to be sold in pairs is you explicit look for softener hoses. All you should need is a standard (flicible) tap connector which you can get from any DIY store or from amazon for less than a tenner.

Search for the following on amazon (assuming you need a 15mm connection):

Bulk Hardware 3/4BSP x 15 x 500mm Flexible Braided Compression Tap Connector

Paul

AQ14

Hi,

This forum has been very informative to leading to choose a single cylinder for our first sytem.
I contacted my 2 local Checkatrade plumbers. Thou, I have specified that I’m looking at Tapworks AD11
Both have recommended Monarch Midi for 1-5 people (cost around £453).



Does anybody have information re: Reliability and etc?

Appreciate your soonest response as I am hoping to have a system installed the asap.

AQ

manda1205

I have a Monarch midi. It has been very good, we had a little problem when we moved it into new kitchen extension, it stopped metering the water, so would only manually regenerate. Monarch's customer service is brilliant, they came out within days and changed the metering part which sits inside one of the pipes. We are still in guarantee so no charges. The bloke who fixed it said that that part does occasionally fail but on the whole they don't have any problems. Everyone I know who has one has never had problems with them, think we were just unlucky when we moved it.

AQ14

Thanks manda1205! I'm assuming your system is just <2yrs to get labour done without cost.

manda1205

AQ14 wrote: »

Thanks manda1205! I'm assuming your system is just <2yrs to get labour done without cost.

Yep, it had a day to go to 2yrs when I rang them, its now gone over, but they will supply parts free for another 5 years.

yimpster

brumster wrote: »

I'ver had a quick look and they appear to be sold in pairs is you explicit look for softener hoses. All you should need is a standard (flicible) tap connector which you can get from any DIY store or from amazon for less than a tenner.

Search for the following on amazon (assuming you need a 15mm connection):

Bulk Hardware 3/4BSP x 15 x 500mm Flexible Braided Compression Tap Connector

Paul

isnt that exactly the same width of hose as a washing machine or dishwasher? which is narrower.

pretty sure the original hose was 22mm?

Kayball

Slightly off topic but just giving a suggestion for purchase of water softener.


I have followed the Water Softener saga on this site since its inception. It has been a fantastic source of information, with a smattering of misinformation.
The early postings, which seemed to be directed towards denigrating the twin cylinder option, have now been less frequent, but new postings are now introducing points first raised in 2007/8 and shows some subscribers are not prepared to read the old postings, but request instant response to their questions.


I do not propose to go down the route of recommending a specific softener or manufacturer as many previous postings have shown that there are many choices for that accolade.
In my experience, most softener failings are due to the use of cheap gasket and ‘O’ ring materials during manufacture. Ordinary natural rubber perishes with age and is false economy. Top of the range softeners use ‘Viton’ or’ Nitrile’ quality materials for these items and they will last a lifetime.


The objective of this site is to save money and in my experience the best way to do this is to purchase a previously used item that matches your choice of softener.


Many such items are listed on the web, some at ridiculously low prices, especially if not working.
My own preference now is for twin cylinder softeners, but I had the now infamous MC250 single cylinder unit in use for many years. I purchased this used item as my very first softener for £30 and performed the frequently required servicing tasks myself. This, along with articles on the Web, taught me lots about softeners. (I am a retired electronics engineer and willing to have a go at anything electro mechanical.)


Recently I purchased a top of the range twin cylinder item for 99p on eBay! It was listed that it had been stored but that its current status was not known. At this point I had little to lose, apart from the cost in petrol to pick it up. (But even that was a day out.) As is my wont, the following week I also purchased for the same price, a much older softener by the same manufacturer, to provide any spare valve parts I may need in the future. (These top quality items don’t change much from year to year.)


After a simple clean out both softeners worked fine, but having found a stripped thread on the first purchase. I also found it was only manufactured in 2006. (All softener tanks are dated for safety and approval reasons.) After some consideration I decided to ask my local ‘softener shop’ to give me a quote for a full overhaul , as I was not very familiar with this non-electric valve and he was a manufacturer approved agent. The quote was accepted and was carried out for less than £100, including some new components, which included the valve casing component with the damaged thread. All work was guaranteed for 1 year.


To summarise, I now have a fully reconditioned twin cylinder softener which has cost me approximately £100!


The main point of this posting is to ask all forum members, especially those with mechanical/electrical aptitude, to look seriously at this option.


I would suggest that prior to any purchase; first carry out a survey of their property to establish the best location and plumbing requirements for installation of any softener. All makes and models have very similar requirements, which can be found on many websites. (Don’t dismiss outdoor installation in a home-made cabinet; this is sometimes the best and easiest option))


Modern plumbing is not complicated, using components especially made for the DIY market. The required 3, hand-operated valves cost approximately £6 each for best quality items. (Don’t use cheap screwdriver operated valves) A non-return valve costs a similar amount and is a requirement of most water companies, but is often ignored. A pair of braided approved hoses, 500mm long, with


¾ BSP ends suitable for all UK softeners, plus suitable piping and associated clips complete the list of the components required, at a cost of less than £40!


Alternatively, get a quote from a local plumber (approx. £200) and have the facility installed.


After all, you will still need it eventually, even if you then buy a new softener!
Doing the softener installation before purchase allows a used item to be checked immediately, or a new item to be purchased on-line.

Joel12

Judging by some of the feedback I have found online I would have to choose the kinetico to be honest. I would want to make sure that I would get the best for the money, even if it was a little more expensive than the other option. Let us know what you decide to go with.

ihshaikh

wondering if someone can confirm that topping up the softener with water on a regular basis (more than 2-3 times a week) is necessary.