hard water?

[steve1]

We are in an area of hard water, and all we have to cope with it is a combi-mate unit, the type you replace the spheres every year or so.
Now I don't want to break the bank, but is there something better out there that would not take up much more room, but would do a better job.
Thanx.

[Gingerbread Man]

Water softener.

[Sticks.]

This is small and inexpensive, though I don't know it it's better. In addition, perhaps?

http://www.scalewizard.co.uk/?gcid=S18394x014-bran...

[steve1]

Sticks. said:

This is small and inexpensive, though I don't know it it's better. In addition, perhaps?

http://www.scalewizard.co.uk/?gcid=S18394x014-bran...

Do these actually work, has anyone fitted one and noticed the difference.

With regards to a water softener, i actually have been looking into one of these, the biggest problem for me is trying to work out how to leave the main drinking water tap as it is,(untreated), the logistical layout of the plumbing is causing quite a headache.
The rising main that feeds all the various appliances etc is located in our utility room, so it would be the ideal place to fit the softener, but our main drinking tap, in the kitchen, is quite a way from it.

Edited by steve1 on Sunday 20th March 14:09

[Sticks.]

I've got one but how good it is I can't easily measure - I had it put in about the same time as the kitchen and bathroom, so tiles stay cleaner more easily by virtue of being new. My guess is it improves it a little. I still wouldn't drink the tap water here though.

[Gingerbread Man]

steve1 said:

With regards to a water softener, i actually have been looking into one of these, the biggest problem for me is trying to work out how to leave the main drinking water tap as it is,(untreated), the logistical layout of the plumbing is causing quite a headache.
The rising main that feeds all the various appliances etc is located in our utility room, so it would be the ideal place to fit the softener, but our main drinking tap, in the kitchen, is quite a way from it.

Edited by steve1 on Sunday 20th March 14:09

You'll need the incoming main to tee off. Kitchen tap unsoftened water one way. Water softener and onto the tank in the loft the other way. Is the problem the physical running of the pipes?

[steve1]

Gingerbread Man said:

You'll need the incoming main to tee off. Kitchen tap unsoftened water one way. Water softener and onto the tank in the loft the other way. Is the problem the physical running of the pipes?

I understand the plumbing in of the softener, but it is the layout of the pipework/house, it goes up from the utility room, all boxed in, then across a bedroom and landing, then drops down into the main bedroom,( which has large sheets as flooring rather than normal boards ),all of which is carpeted, then down into the kitchen, it would be an absolute nightmare to try and find which one is the cold water pipe to the kitchen,( the house has had an extension built, and the builder wasn't the best, so christ knows which way he's done it ).

[Gingerbread Man]

steve1 said:

Gingerbread Man said:

You'll need the incoming main to tee off. Kitchen tap unsoftened water one way. Water softener and onto the tank in the loft the other way. Is the problem the physical running of the pipes?

I understand the plumbing in of the softener, but it is the layout of the pipework/house, it goes up from the utility room, all boxed in, then across a bedroom and landing, then drops down into the main bedroom,( which has large sheets as flooring rather than normal boards ),all of which is carpeted, then down into the kitchen, it would be an absolute nightmare to try and find which one is the cold water pipe to the kitchen,( the house has had an extension built, and the builder wasn't the best, so christ knows which way he's done it ).

Ahh I see. Well bar banging pipes to see if you can identify what one to tee into, or running a new pipe to be sure, it doesn't look too good for you!

[Arthur Jackson]

steve1 said:

Do these actually work,

It won't soften the water, no.

[LooneyTunes]

Sticks. said:

This is small and inexpensive, though I don't know it it's better. In addition, perhaps?

http://www.scalewizard.co.uk/?gcid=S18394x014-bran...

Never any link to independent research on the websites pushing these things, which always makes me wary. The last page of this document from Southern Water recommends keeping note of the money back guarantee for such devices - methinks they're dubious about them to say the least...

[steve1]

On from this, if I were to plumb in a water softener, and leave the drinking tap as softened, is there anyway then of filtering the tap water so as to make it ok to drink, ie water jug filter or inline filter, would these work.
Thanx.

[Arthur Jackson]

No. Removing sodium is more difficult. Most modern jug filters have some softener resin and will soften drinking water for a limited period of time. No water filter should be in use for longer than 6 months anyway.