I can get something to soften my water?! Revelation!

[Namechanger5432121]

Do I have been reading THAT kitchen thread and came across someone who said they hado a water softeners installed!
No idea there was such a thing and am now having to research this as we are in an extremely hard water area and I would love to not have to descale my kettle every couple of weeks!

Please give me recommendations if you have one.
I have Googled it but it throws up so many, I am a bit lost!
Currently renovating the whole house so it can be fitted in with the rest of the new plumbing? Or have I got the wrong end of the stick?

Much appreciated!

[didireallysaythat]

I wouldn't drink softened water (but some do) - we have a filter tap and fill the kettle from that. The kitchen sink tap is the only undisturbed tap in the house.

[wholettooth]

I love our softened water, our young and enthusiastic plumber talked us into it and he was so right.
No scrubbing of showers or descaling the washing machine. But our main kitchen tap isn't softened as he said we shouldn't be drinking it on a regular basis.I fill my coffee machine from the utility room tap.

[PigletJohn]

like so many things, once you've had one, you wouldn't be without it.

If you are in a hard-water area, phone your local softener supplier (there will be one) and ask if they repair softeners. If yes, ask if they deliver salt. Only after that ask about the ones they sell, and how long the guarantee is. If no, try another supplier.

If you buy one mail-order or from a company that leaflets door-to-door or advertises in the Sunday papers, the price will be inflated to cover the glossy sales and marketing.

You can get very cheap ones from the DIY sheds, but when they go wrong you may have to scrap them.

Some local suppliers assemble, repair and recondition them; especially the ones they have supplied. The control mechanism is available as a unit, and the rest of the device is very simple. The mechanism might need repair after about ten years, from wear or scale.

BTW never collect salt in your own car, have it delivered. A single grain will quickly eat a hole through the boot floor. Have a look in the back of the delivery van and you will be shocked at the damage.

[ggirl]

We had one installed (Harveys I think) last year .
It's great , no limescale is a revelation!
And we drink the softened water..tastes exactly the same to me.
We have a separate outside tap of hardened water for garden as its a waste to use the softened water for that.
Upkeep is simply inserting the salt blocks in approximately once a month -depending on how much water you use.
My kettle and shower gleam !
Myth that you can't drink it.

[Ntinyn]

I've just bought a Tapworks ultra 9. Haven't installed yet but family members have same brand and rave about how great it is.. Can't wait!

[Namechanger5432121]

Thanks so much for the feedback! Some very useful advice. Could you tell me the average cost you spend on salt please? Also am I right in thinking that gas and cleaning costs should decrease and does the costs balance out if so?

[PigletJohn]

Sacks are cheaper than the blocks. I have sacks of "tablets" or "pebbles" delivered in bulk, the 25kg sacks rather heavy, but you can get 10kg sacks. For example www.wickes.co.uk/search?text=salt You have to be able to lift them up to tip into the top of the salt bin.

Looking back, I bought 10 25kg sacks in March (about £60, delivered) and still have I think two left. At the time, 10kg or 15kg sacks must have been unobtainable, or perhaps more expensive. Store them in a clean, dry place, away from any metal tools, car, lawnmowers etc as any trace of salt will corrode them. It will damage your hoover so use a dustpan and brush for spillages.

Be careful not to get table salt, or rock salt, or road salt. The stuff compressed into tablets is fairly clean to handle.

They are also sold by catering suppliers such as Bookers because they are used in commercial dishwashers and glass washers. My windowcleaner has a softening plant and drives around with a tank of purified water in his van, and a pump, because it is so much better for streak-free cleaning.

You use about half as much washing powder, need no fabsoft, and can clean your bathroom and windows with a sponge and a bucket of soften water with a bit of WUL. You do not need to buy limescale cleaners.

If anyone in your house wet-shaves, they will notice the difference immediately.

There is no saving on gas or electricity.

Your washing machine might possibly last longer, I haven't seen evidence. Your towels will be softer and your hair shinier, not straw-like.

[OnePlanOnHouzz]

Blatant place marking !! As I'm often asked about these and have no preference as to makes etc so if anyone wants to recommend theirs please do and I'll take note !!