Water Softeners
Introduction
Our geographical location in the country largely dicates the type of water we receive into our homes.
Blue (A) = hard water areas: Green (B) = medium water areas: Orange (C) = soft water areas
- Rocky areas of the country, which keep water table high and thus close to the surface, produce soft water which is low in mineral content.
- Areas where the water is pumped from underground resevoirs tend to give hard water as the water has picked up a large amount of minerals as it has flowed through the ground.
Hard water is much nicer to drink but is plays havoc with our plumbing. As the water evaporates it leaves limescale and scum, which if allowed to build up will eventually block up pipes and break water pumps etc, not to mention make cleaning the bathroom suite, tiles and mirrors a huge chore.
This is where water softeners come in. They 'soften' the water that enters the house, by removing dissolved minerals from the mains supply, before it has had a chance to flow around the plumbing system.
Domestic water softeners
Water softeners work by replacing the calcium and magnesium in the water with sodium. The incoming water, from the water mains, flows through a compartment containing salts (similar to a dishwasher) which absorb scale-forming calcium ions and replace them with sodium. Topping up with salt is required at intervals of maybe 2 or 3 months depending on your home's water usage.
If you live in a particularly hard water area, scale can build up at a rate of approximately 16mm a year. Over time this will reduce the effectiveness of your boiler, which means you will spend more heating your home.
- A softener will improve the efficiency and increase the life of appliances using hot water - boilers, washing machines etc.
- Makes lathering easier and reduces tide marks on sanitary ware.
- Some skin conditions, such as eczema, can be relieved with softer washing water.
- Water Softeners generally require a professional installation.
- Are relatively expensive to both purchase and maintain.
- The long-term costs of both softeners and detergents can be very high.
- If a water softener has been installed, make sure that you have a supply of unsoftened water for drinking and cooking, for example, direct from the mains.
Water conditioners
Water conditioners work by altering the crystallising behaviour of Calcium and Magnesium ions such that they loose their ability to cause adhesive scale. Atlhough some are sceptical as to their effectiveness, there have been many cases where people have found them to be very successful.
These devices DO NOT soften water, however some of them have been shown to be effective in reducing the amount of fur or scale that actually sticks to pipes or heating elements.
Unlike water softeners and detergents, water conditioners do not require constant application - once the unit is turned on that is it.
Further information and useful links
- Mains water systems
- Hot water systems
- Choosing a new boiler
- Full guide to showers
- More plumbing & heating topics
- Find a Plumbing Merchants near you
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