This hard water thing is driving me nuts!

Chibisan

After a few weeks away. I came back to my home, boilers semi broken, water flow from shower head is greatly reduced. Drainage pipe is clogged up and !!!! is overflowing. Washing machine,kettle and ironing needs constant descaling. It is driving us all nuts and I've decided to invest into water softener system so we can install into the mains water supply.


I've lived in this area for 4-5 years already and it just feels like once a month something breaks because of the hard water.



Does anyone have any good recommendations? I myself is hopeless with DIY so will have to get professionals to do it.

Avoriaz

There is a long running thread here. It is a long read so maybe start from the end and work backwards until you feel you know enough.

My advice is to get a proper ion exchange softener that uses salt.

I have used twin chamber Kinetico softeners in the past but they are usually more expensive than simpler single chamber softeners.

Don't get any of those magical electrical devices that claim to align water molecules etc.

Chibisan

Indeed it is a long post. I was hoping it would be as simple as phoning up a reputable company and getting them to come install it.

I'm happy to pay more for a good product. Since my skin is very sensitive to hard water and it is really causing a lot of grief.

Thanks for the tip. I'll look into Kinetico and the long thread.

Johnandabby

I second Kinetico, ours makes such a difference to water hardness, you really notice when the salt level is running low!

We use a company in East Anglia called Kindwater, where we rent the water softener at a monthly fee, and they undertake regular maintenance (and replacement if required) for no additional cost. Can be a way of reducing the initial capital cost if there is a similar company local to you, and removes any hassles re maintenance and repairs.

Seronera

Chibisan wrote: »

Indeed it is a long post. I was hoping it would be as simple as phoning up a reputable company and getting them to come install it.

I'm happy to pay more for a good product. Since my skin is very sensitive to hard water and it is really causing a lot of grief.

Thanks for the tip. I'll look into Kinetico and the long thread.

You have not indicated roughly where you are in the country. There are resources where you can find our about hardness in your area...... Like your water company. You could ask their advice and/or you could consult a reputable local plumbing company as they will be dealing with such issues all the time. A decent ion exchange water softener sounds like the answer. Any competent DIY person can install one.

I installed one in my house in Lincolnshire where I used to live,and it was excellent, though salt is not cheap.

OldFartPlumber

You don`t need a "special company" to install a water softener . Just a regular Plumber . Though in 30 years in the trade I only installed one ! for some reason there was no call for them here in East Sussex. I found one @ a merchants for £200 so I couldn't resist buying it . It was very useful in conjunction with the £60. Jacuzzi I installed , because the bath didn't like unsoftened water and created black scum . Perhaps that's why I got it for £60 on Gumtree . Lovely soft water from the shower too . Hope this helps.

128hdays

Does anybody have any experience of dealing with ew technologies Gold Series water softeners? I rang them up today after seeing a half price advert on the metro. They said they would send me out a free water test strip to test the hardness of my water first. The offer is great but i would like to know if anyone has used them before?