Water softener - finally got one!
Discussion
So after chiming in to a few threads on here about them, I've finally got one sorted.
I got in touch with John at Sandy's Salts and Softeners in Littlehampton, he's a fellow PH'er (Johnoz), I ended up dealing with his incredibly helpful son Jack for most of the initial discussions and choosing what to get, John did my install.
Just thought I'd post a thread to give credit where it's due, the installation is really neat and tidy. I've also somehow managed to squeeze almost all of the stuff that was under the sink back under there, despite now having a massive Kinetico softener. I think this is because he's managed to re-instate the original shelving right up to the side of the unit, wasting no space at all
As I cheaped out by buying a used softener I was also able to stretch to the rather fantastic Franke Filterflow tap (supplied and fitted by John) which provides soft hot and cold, plus a supply of filtered hard water which tastes so much better than anything I've had from the tap here before (Brighton, vile water).
I'm already noticing the difference in my sinks and shower, which are staying much cleaner than they did before, and I find myself drinking more water because it tastes much better now
So, just a little shout out to say that if you're thinking of getting one then I highly recommend it, and if you're in an area that John and his son serve, then I recommend them equally
Extra PH points to John for having probably the nicest van interior I've ever seen, and also for working in a flat that more closely resembled a bomb site without any complaint (we're in the middle of a new en suite install at the same time)
I got in touch with John at Sandy's Salts and Softeners in Littlehampton, he's a fellow PH'er (Johnoz), I ended up dealing with his incredibly helpful son Jack for most of the initial discussions and choosing what to get, John did my install.
Just thought I'd post a thread to give credit where it's due, the installation is really neat and tidy. I've also somehow managed to squeeze almost all of the stuff that was under the sink back under there, despite now having a massive Kinetico softener. I think this is because he's managed to re-instate the original shelving right up to the side of the unit, wasting no space at all
As I cheaped out by buying a used softener I was also able to stretch to the rather fantastic Franke Filterflow tap (supplied and fitted by John) which provides soft hot and cold, plus a supply of filtered hard water which tastes so much better than anything I've had from the tap here before (Brighton, vile water).
I'm already noticing the difference in my sinks and shower, which are staying much cleaner than they did before, and I find myself drinking more water because it tastes much better now
So, just a little shout out to say that if you're thinking of getting one then I highly recommend it, and if you're in an area that John and his son serve, then I recommend them equally
Extra PH points to John for having probably the nicest van interior I've ever seen, and also for working in a flat that more closely resembled a bomb site without any complaint (we're in the middle of a new en suite install at the same time)
No problem at all John, definitely noticing the difference. I'd say it's all only just getting to the stage where it needs a clean now, as opposed to usually lasting a day or two, and my shower is starting to open up original jets in the head which had blocked up!
Afraid I'm going to have to stick with a stock photo from the Franke website for now Japcrap, my kitchen is a dump at the moment and has a bucket of manky plaster water in the sink that my builder seems to have left overnight lol
The tap has a hard water outlet (the front valve) which dispenses filtered water (no chlorine to spoil the taste) but it's not from the softener. Although I think in reality you actually can drink softened water without problem.
ETA - I don't have that little hand held hosepipe thing, just the tap!
Afraid I'm going to have to stick with a stock photo from the Franke website for now Japcrap, my kitchen is a dump at the moment and has a bucket of manky plaster water in the sink that my builder seems to have left overnight lol
The tap has a hard water outlet (the front valve) which dispenses filtered water (no chlorine to spoil the taste) but it's not from the softener. Although I think in reality you actually can drink softened water without problem.
ETA - I don't have that little hand held hosepipe thing, just the tap!
Edited by Blue Oval84 on Tuesday 6th September 21:41
OP and John - question about water softeners: can you have more than one drinking water outlet, or is that a plumbing nightmare?
I'd really like the loft shower room tap to provide drinking water, rather than have to traipse 3 floors down to the kitchen to get a drink in the middle of the night...
And I am assuming you don't work as far away as London. Any recommendations for water softener providers in the area?
I'd really like the loft shower room tap to provide drinking water, rather than have to traipse 3 floors down to the kitchen to get a drink in the middle of the night...
And I am assuming you don't work as far away as London. Any recommendations for water softener providers in the area?
We have had a water softener for years, and I imagine it would be a bit of a plumbing nightmare to have it run up three floors. You can drink softened water perfectly fine, it just tastes a little salty, and has more sodium in it. Our kitchen tap is unsoftened, and everything else is. I love it, means one needs to use very little shampoo, taps and other things don't get ruined by limescale, and anyone with a skin condition will have a much better time. I'm very prone to dry skin, and hard water makes it much worse.
Also to add, we have one of the ones that takes block salt. I find it much more convenient, as it can be stored neatly in the outhouse.
Also to add, we have one of the ones that takes block salt. I find it much more convenient, as it can be stored neatly in the outhouse.
Harry Flashman said:
OP and John - question about water softeners: can you have more than one drinking water outlet, or is that a plumbing nightmare?
You could have as many unsoftened outlets as you want really but yes, plumbing a separate supply to the third floor sounds like a nightmare!Personally I'd just get a glass bottle with a stopper and fill it up before bed, that way you only need to reach over to the bedside table, even more convenient
Harry Flashman said:
OP and John - question about water softeners: can you have more than one drinking water outlet, or is that a plumbing nightmare?
I'd really like the loft shower room tap to provide drinking water, rather than have to traipse 3 floors down to the kitchen to get a drink in the middle of the night...
And I am assuming you don't work as far away as London. Any recommendations for water softener providers in the area?
I'm assuming at moment you just drinking normal water from downstairs tap. If so why not drink from tap in shower room ? I'd really like the loft shower room tap to provide drinking water, rather than have to traipse 3 floors down to the kitchen to get a drink in the middle of the night...
And I am assuming you don't work as far away as London. Any recommendations for water softener providers in the area?
Is it tank fed ?
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