Call Thor Plumbers

Heating & Plumbing Engineers, London

CallThor Plumbers offer an extensive range of plumbing services including bathrooms, kitchens and water softeners throughout London, Middlesex and the South East ...

Established over 20 years ago, CallThor Plumbers provide heating and plumbing services throughout London , Middlesex and the South East ... Read More >>

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Water softeners
Water Softeners are used to treat hard water. They work by replacing the calcium and magnesium in the water with sodium.

You probably notice hard water in many forms around your home. The most noticeable signs of hard water is limescale around your taps, in your kettle and on the shower head to name a few. But what about the signs you can't see, such as scaled up pipes and inefficient heating systems? With a water softener this will no longer be the case, it will remove 100% of the hardness minerals in your water.

water softeners
How does a water softener work?

Hard water is passed through an ion exchange resin. The resin attracts and removes the hardness minerals in the water leaving you with softened water. Once the resin is saturated it requires cleansing or ‘regenerating’. The resin is automatically cleansed by rinsing salt solution through it and flushing away the hard water deposits to drain. The regenerated resin is then able to continue removing the hardness to ensure a continuous supply of softened water.

What are the advantages of water softeners?

Proportional regeneration – reduces running costs with less salt and water usage
Micro-processor control – provides continuous softened water with no adjustment to water softener programme. The water softener thinks for itself.
  • Counter-current regeneration – means efficient regeneration
  • Power loss back up – if there is a power cut all the settings are retained for up to 48 hours
  • High capacity resin – enables compact design for large households
  • Problem free commissioning – no need for company engineer to commission unit
  • Free installation kit –avoids customers hassle when looking for specific items such as water hardness test kit
  • World’s largest manufacturer of domestic water softeners – peace of mind, more than 80 years of experience.

What is the advantage of computer electronics then?

The biggest ‘running cost’ of a softener is the salt and, if you are on a water meter, the water which is used when regenerating. The technology used in a water softener constantly checks the water usage and the remaining softening capacity of the resin. It will only regenerate when it believes it is needed and even then will only regenerate the used part of the resin rather than all of it as non-electronic and timeclock units do.

Can water softeners cope with high flow rates?

Some makes of softeners restrict the flow of water to boilers – making them unsuitable for mains-fed systems. Our water softeners have one of the highest flow rates on the market. Easy to fit high flow installation kits are available to guarantee a constant stream of softened water to protect boilers.

Do I need to leave a supply of unsoftened water for drinking?

Fitment of separate hard water drinking tap is not required by regulation, except in exceptionally hard water areas (above 400mg/l) where the sodium content of the treated water (increased due to the softening process) exceeds the level laid down in the Water Supply (Water Quality) Regulations 2000. Fitting a separate drinking water tap is currently recommended by the UK Dept of Health, WRAS and the UKWTA. Having a supply of unsoftened water is particularly important for anyone on a sodium-restricted diet or families with young babies.

Is there a lot of sodium in softened water?

No. In fact, an adult who drinks 4 pints of softened water per day only add 310mg to their daily intake – which is less than 9% of the average total. Many natural and manufactured foods and drinks contain sodium which add to this total. For example two slices of bread contain 350 mg.

What type of salt should be used?

Water softeners use tablet salt which is easy to store and transport. It is readily available from builders and plumbers merchants.

Will softened water help dry skin conditions?

Many eczema sufferers notice benefits from the use of softened water.

Are water softeners expensive?

It’s a one off investment with a great pay back. A water softener is the one domestic appliance that can pay for itself. Think of the money saved on washing powders, detergents and shampoos. The improved efficiency of your heating system saves money too. And you’ll notice you’re not calling the plumber to fix pipe work and appliances damaged by hard water.

Why is it impotant to "size" the softener to my home?

In fact any size of softener will work in your home. However, if it is too small it will cost you more in salt and metered water to run it. This is because the resin tank capacity will be used up too quickly if the unit is small, the water is very hard and your family uses a lot of water each day. Our engineers can help you size the correct model for your home.

Other benefits of softened water? *

  • Softened water provides real cost savings in service, maintenance and replacement of showers, heaters, boilers etc.
  • Softened water improves the efficiency of hot water and heating systems - just 1.6mm of scale build-up in heating systems will cause a 12% loss in heating efficiency.
  • Softened water can save some 50% of washing powder and toilet soap consumption and similarly cut the use of shampoos, conditioners and cleaning products.
  • Softened water can help certain dry skin conditions such as eczema.
  • Softened water saves time - independent studies have confirmed that considerable cleaning time is saved with softened water.
  • Softened water can it time completely remove existing scale deposits in hot water and heating systems as well as scale around taps and stains in bath and basins.
  • Softened water has a clean silky feeling. It makes bath time a luxury without the need for bath oils or bubble bath liquids.
  • Softened water makes hair soft and easy to manage. Softened water rinses completely away without leaving scum even after shaving. Softened water makes laundry brighter, and glasses and dishes sparkle and shine.
  • Softened water provides cost savings in service and maintenance of dishwashers, washing machines, showers and water heaters and extends the life of such units.
  • Softened water makes washing the car easier and will reduce streaking and spotting. Water softeners are installed in nearly all commercial laundries, kitchens and car washes in the United Kingdom

* Extracted from the independent Consumers Guide to Water Softeners by British Water.

 

Contact CallThor


For more information on our full range of heating & plumbing services throughout London, Middlesex and the South East, please call us or click here to send us a message.
T:  020 8795 0796
M: 07956 909 753

Happy Clients

CallThor are absolute life savers. Our boiler packed up on one of the coldest days of the year and they had it back working within a day ... I can’t recommend them highly enough.
Paul, Ealing

Heating and Plumbing London, Middlesex, South East England

Call Thor Plumbers provide heating and plumbing services throughout West London, Middlesex and the South East of England.
We have worked in the following areas: Acton W3, Chiswick W4, Ealing W5, Hammersmith W6, Hanwell W7, Kensington W8, Maida Vale W9, North Kensington W10, Shepherds Bush W12, West Ealing W13, Sheen SW14, Southall UB1, Hayes UB3, Northolt UB5, Greenford UB6, Uxbridge UB8, Twickenham TW1, Hounslow TW3, Heathrow TW6, Brentford TW8, Richmond TW9, Teddington TW11, Hampton TW12, Ruislip HA4, Pinner HA5