Water Softeners

What is a water softener?

Water softening is the removal of calcium, magnesium and certain other metal cations (an ion is an atom or molecule with a net electrical charge) in hard water. 

Having softer water extends the lifetime of plumbing by reducing or eliminating limescale build-up and corrosion in pipes and fittings, and unsightly soap scum on your bath, hand basin and shower surfaces. 

Water softening can be achieved using a number of different methods. The water softeners we offer use the salt based ion-exchange method. 

We also offer an alternative non salt water conditioning method called OneFlow which alters the hard water minerals in the water so they do not produce scale. 

The ion-exchange resin method replaces the calcium and magnesium ions (the hardness ions) with sodium or potassium ions.

How does a water softener work?

The water softener systems we stock use the process of ion exhange, by far the most common type of domestic water softener. 

Calcium and magnesium ions are replaced with sodium ions which don't have the damaging effects of calcium and magnesium.

The system itself houses a large tank of salt pellets.

It's important to note that a water softener system won't remove other contaminants such as chlorine, chemicals, fluoride. You would need to add an additional stage before your water passes through the softener.

Is it safe to drink water from a water softener?

We get asked this a lot!

Yes, however it's important to note the daily sodium intake recommendations below and think about the introduction of additional sodium that will be introduced via a water softener. Only you will know how much sodium you are already having in your diet. 

Daily sodium intake recommendations in the UK for adults is less than 2.4g per day (no more than 6g salt), which equates to about 1 teaspoon.

Children aged 1 to 3 years should eat no more than 2g salt a day (0.8g sodium)
Children aged 4 to 6 years should eat no more than 3g salt a day (1.2g sodium)
Children aged 7 to 10 years should eat no more than 5g salt a day (2g sodium)
Children aged 11 years and over should eat no more than 6g salt a day (2.4g sodium)

Sodium in drinking water is unlikely to cause adverse health effects.

For those on low sodium diets, it's probably best not to drink softened water from a salt based system. 

You can put softenend water through an additional reverse osmosis water filter to remove the added sodium. Take a look at our RO water filters here.

Water softener system pros and cons

Pros

• Stops the build up of limescale on your dishes, work surfaces, shower screen doors, pipes, appliances.
• Get a better lather with your soaps and detergents.
• May stop exacerbating skin conditions such as eczema. 

Cons

• May not be suitable for those on a low sodium diet.
• Removes calcium and magnesium; minerals which are actually good to have in your diet. So, it's important to ensure you get these 
• minerals from other sources. 
• You've got to keep feeding the water softener system with salt which adds to the cost and time spent on maintenance. 
• Some people don't like the feel of soft water as it can feel slipery and slimy.
• You're putting salty water down the drain which could impact the environment.

Do you sell salt free systems?

We mentioned above that we offer a very popular non salt water conditioning method called OneFlow which alters the hard water minerals in the water so they don't produce scale. 

The OneFlow systems use Template Assisted Crystallisation (TAC). It's the most effective salt-free, environmentally friendly scale prevention technology there is.

The primary hardness mineral (calcium carbonate) is converted into microscopic crystals that can flow freely through the water filter system instead of attaching to fixtures, pipes and appliances and forming scale deposits. 

Contact us on 01352 838 281 or send us a message HERE.