Mr Softy Water Softeners - Frequently Asked Questions

Below are a selection of the most frequently asked questions regarding water softeners and hard water. If you have a question that is not covered here, or would like some further information and advice, then please contact us using the details on the Contacts page, or simply fill out our Enquiry form and we will quickly get in touch with you.



	What is Hard Water ? What are the effects of Hard Water ? How do I know if I have Hard Water ? Is Hard Water harmful to Health ?	How do Water Softeners work ? Are Water Softeners expensive to run ? Is there any maintenance or servicing required ? If I move, can I take it with me ? Will my water charges increase ?




	How can I soften Hard Water ? Is it necessary to soften Hard Water ? What benefits will I notice ?	Can I use a Water Softener with lead pipes ? Will Soft Water affect my central heating ? Can I use Soft Water in an Aquarium ? Can I use Soft Water for my house plants ? Can I use Soft Water for home brewing ? Can I use Soft Water in car batteries ? Can I Use Soft Water in my steam iron ?



HARD WATER

1. What is Hard Water ?
Hard water is water that contains dissolved chalk, lime and other minerals. Rainwater is naturally soft, but as it percolates through chalk and limestone it dissolves and collects these minerals. Rainwater which falls on hard rock remains naturally soft. The hardness of the supply of mains water to your home is dependent on where you live and the source (river or ground water) of your mains water supply.

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2. What are the effects of Hard Water ?
Scale, scum and tidemarks around baths and basins. The minerals contained in hard water settle out as an unsightly deposit of hardness scale whenever the water is heated, or when cold standing water evaporates. Examples of this are unsightly white marks, stains and scale on sinks, baths, toilet bowls and around the base of taps and blocked shower heads. Pipework can clog up, leading to premature water heater failure. Water hardness also makes it difficult to get a good lather, so more soap is required for washing. Even after washing, clothes can be left grey and dingy and dishes and glasses dull or smeared.

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3. How do I know if I have Hard Water ?
Generally speaking, in the UK the levels of hardness tends to increase the further south east you go. Most of Devon and Cornwall in the south, North Yorkshire and Cumbria in the north and the western counties of Wales have soft to moderately soft water with levels between 0-100mg/l of calcium carbonate equivalent. Northumberland, Tyne & Wear, and Lancashire down through the Midlands tend to have slightly hard to moderately hard water with levels between 100-200mg/l. Lincolnshire, right through the Home Counties and London to the South Coast, have hard to very hard levels above 200mg/l. Check out the UK Hard Water Map, which gives a general indication of water hardness in the different regions of the UK.

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4. Is Hard Water harmful to Health ?
The levels of minerals found in hard water are not considered as damaging to health and in fact the British Water Code of Practice which covers all new water softener installations, actually recommends that a pipe leading to the mains be put in place prior to a softener being installed, as a source of drinking water. Although not harmful to health, hard water does lack certain qualities of softened water which can be beneficial to sufferers of conditions such as eczema. For more information on softened water and health, visit our health page.

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SOFTENING WATER

1. How can I soften Hard Water ?

To fully soften water the minerals (calcium and magnesium) which cause hardness must be removed. These minerals are removed by ion-exchange. Fitting a domestic ion-exchange water softener is the only process specifically designed to completely remove all hardness from your mains water supply. The softened water will also gradually remove existing scale from pipework, bathroom fittings and heating elements.

2. Is it necessary to soften Hard Water ?

Although it is not absolutely necessary to soften hard water, the benefits and the cost savings achieved by doing so, makes it a sensible choice.

3. What benefits will I notice ?

The benefits of installing a water softener are numerous, but the most obvious and noticible benefit is cleaner and more effective washing. There are other benefits, which maybe not as immediately noticible, but definitely as important, such as the reduction of scale in heating systems that can lead to clogged up pipework. For further information on the benefits of softened water visit our benefits page.

WATER SOFTENERS

1. How do Water Softeners work ?

Hard water is passed through a cyclinder containing millions of tiny beads of ion-exchange resin which attract and remove the hardness minerals from the water. The resin is automatically cleaned or “regenerated” by rinsing a small amount of brine (common salt - sodium chloride - dissolved in water) through the cylinder. The sodium from the salt is left in the resin as it is exhanged for the hardness minerals trapped by the resin. The used brine, containing the accumulated hardness, does not enter the household water system - it is automatically flushed away into a drain. Refreshed by the regeneration, the resin is again ready to remove hardness minerals, i.e. to soften the water. This process is known as “ion-exchange”.

2. Are Water Softeners expensive to run ?

The initial cost of a water softener starts from as little as £350 plus VAT, but unlike most home improvements, the installtion of a water softener will usually produce a pay-back within 2 - 4 years. Softening hard water can reduce the amount of water used in washing as well as help to prolong the life of boilers, central heating systems and other items such as kettles.

3. Is there any maintenance or servicing required ?

A water softener is constantly in operation but because there are few moving components, its life is much longer than most other domestic appliances. Servicing will be required from time to time, the frequency of which will be determined by the model, the number of people in the household and the usage of the equipment. Please contact us to discuss any questions you may have.

4. If I move, can I take it with me ?

Yes. It is easy to remove and reinstall a water softener in another house if you move etc.

5. Will my water charges increase ?

Your water charges or water charges account will not be affected unless you have a water meter fitted. Additional water will be used to regenerate the softener, although the amount of softened water used for cleaning will be less.

USING SOFT WATER

1. Can I use a Water Softener with lead pipes ?

Some of the lead pipework may have to be replaced first. Although lead pipework in hard water areas may not cause a problem, it is advisable to replace it. However, soft water (natural rainwater or artificially softened water) in lead pipework systems may cause the pick-up of lead. If your lead pipework has not already been replaced, any pipes that carry softened water must be changed. Grants may be available for such renovation of pipework for households with low income. Further information may be obtained from your local authority.

2. Will Soft Water affect my central heating ?

Softened water will prevent scaling : if the nature of your local water supply requires it, or if you have an indirect central heating system, a corrosion inhibitor should be used.

3. Can I use Soft Water in an Aquarium ?

Softened water may be acceptable. If in doubt, check with your local aquatic supplier.

4. Can I use Soft Water for my house plants ?

It is worth checking with your local garden centre. The level of sodium in softened water may be harmful to some plants. Most indoor plants usually prefer rainwater to tap water. It is an unnecessary waste of softened water to use it to supply a garden hose.

5. Can I use Soft Water for home brewing ?

It varies. Naturally soft or softened water is suitable for wine, brown ale, stout and lager brewed from concentrate kits. Home brewers who “mash” may require special water treatment.

6. Can I use Soft Water in car batteries ?

No. Only distilled or deionised water should be used in car batteries.

7. Can I use Soft Water in my steam iron ?

Many modern steam irons can use hard and/or softened water. The guidance given in the manufacturer's instructions should be followed.


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