water softner help in chosing and is this true

manda1205

du02 wrote: »

The only thing that puts me off at the moment is the need to run the kitchen tap off before the softener so you are not drinking softened water. In my case this would make the installation less worth while as one of the main reasons for doing it is limescale build up on black granite around the sink and taps.

Is this really still a requirement? I would be getting a plumber to do the installation, the one I have spoken to so far, said that's the only way he would install it. I have a Brita filtered tap, if I used the filtered feed for drinking water, would that eliminate the problem?

Our cold kitchen tap is hard water and the hot is soft water. We have a single mixer tap, so both are coming through the same tap, this seems to effect the amount of limescale build-up. The cold is obviously going to make some, but it seems the hot counter-acts this and disolves it(which is what the softened water does). We have only a tiny amount of limescale build-up on that tap, and it's easily cleaned and as for the sink it's fine and doesn't get effected by scale or anything, as I clean it with the hot, soft water anyway. I really don't think it makes any odds having a cold, hard tap. Though it may be different if you have 2 separate taps.

du02

Thanks for that. I do have a mixer tap on the sink. Maybe I will try that setup first and see how it goes.
Thanks

Avoriaz

du02 wrote: »

Thanks, unfortunately that's not really an option for me, there is no space for it and would involve cutting holes in the granite which I really don't want to.

You could consider fitting a 3 way tap to replace your current 2 way mixer tap.

A 3 way tap can dispense soft hot, soft cold and hard (unsoftened) drinking water from the same unit.

du02

Interesting idea. I do have a 3 way tap at the moment but its a Brita filtered one and I don't think the third tap has a proper connection for a different source.. Maybe I should change it for a different 3 way...

Avoriaz

That Brita filter is likely to use a standard connection.

I would be surprised if you cannot use an inline mains fed water filter on your existing 3 way tap.

My filter tap uses a thin push fit flexible plastic pipe.

Can you post some pictures or a link to the specification of the Brita filter?

Chunks

du02 wrote: »

Sorry I don't quite get what you mean? You gave the water softener a clean and now you don't drink the softened water?

Sorry, I knew what I meant! Prior to my cleaning it, the unit had slimy reddish deposit around the base of the salt tank where the briney solution sits (ready for the next regen). Might be harmless, might not. I decided to err on the side of caution (assuming the red deposits would return).

Like the three ways tap idea.

128hdays

du02 wrote: »

Thanks Doc, I guess that's what it boils down to but I do like to try and make informed decisions.
I still don't understand the argument for not drinking it! Incredibly small increase in the level of sodium in the water, they says its safe to drink but you still need a hard tap to drink from. Either its safe to drink or its not surely?

Have you considered a 3 way tap to solve your problem.
I installed the EWT 606 system last week and they drilled my granite with a hole smaller than your little finger for the drinking water tap. The drinking tap is a small slip swan neck tap so it takes up hardly any space on your countertop.

Have to say the installer was a gentleman and had the unit installed inside 2 hours. I can already notice the difference on my hair and skin as the water feels smoother and my skin doesn't feel as dry after showering like it used to. The shower unit has had zero limescale build up so it looking good so far.

wyattnorm

I'm glad I have just come across this thread as I'm thinking about fitting a softener.

My plumber, not cheap?, but reliable and top quality work, will fit a Dualflo block salt softener for around £1500. He knows that is not cheap, but he thinks this is the best one. There is no way I will spend that sort of money.

I will now go back and read the last dozen pages of this thread and hope it will inform me as to what I should be doing.

Regards.

Norman

Doc_N

wyattnorm wrote: »

I'm glad I have just come across this thread as I'm thinking about fitting a softener.

My plumber, not cheap?, but reliable and top quality work, will fit a Dualflo block salt softener for around £1500. He knows that is not cheap, but he thinks this is the best one. There is no way I will spend that sort of money.

I will now go back and read the last dozen pages of this thread and hope it will inform me as to what I should be doing.

Regards.

Norman

A wise decision. When he says it's the best one he probably means the best for him in terms of profit! Look through the thread and you'll find several recommended at well below £500 + fitting.

Yaldham

I understand that this works by coating the calcium and magnesium not removing them but is it effective and does it help with the deposits on the bathroom tiles, taps etc? It seems good value and takes very little space but I don't want to make a mistake. Thanks