Frequently Asked Questions About Water Softeners
Over the years we have been asked many questions about water softeners. These are the questions we're asked most often.
Is a water softener worth it?
Our customers think so. We have never had a customer tell us they regretted fitting a water softener in their home. Everybody loves them!
Soft water is kinder to your skin and hair, stops limescale building up in your kettle, taps, showers and boiler, and helps your washing machine and dishwasher last longer. Read more about the benefits of soft water.
How do I get a water softener installed?
West London Water Softeners provide low-cost, expert installation of water softeners, water filters and boiling water taps across London and Surrey.
We will advise you on whether a water softener can be installed in your home. Request a quote or call us on 020 3051 7306.
Will a water softener reduce the water flow or pressure to my showers?
No. Almost every customer asks this question, but customers rarely come back and tell us they have noticed a drop in flow.
Any restriction on the incoming water main will reduce the flow slightly, but with a water softener the drop is negligible, at around 1–3%.
For example, the peak flow rate of the TwinTec S4 is 65 litres per minute. Typical showers use:
- Hand-held shower head: 10 litres per minute
- Dinner-plate shower head: 15 litres per minute
- Deluge shower head: 25 litres per minute
Even 3 good-sized showers running at the same time are covered.
Deluge showers are usually run from a header tank or a whole-house pump system, so softening the tank feed is the best option.
Don't hesitate to call or email us for free advice on the best water softener for your plumbing.
How much salt will my water softener use?
As a rule of thumb, a water softener uses 1 Harvey Block Salt block, or 2 Harvey Mini Curve blocks, per person per month.
For example, there are 2 people in our household. We mostly shower once a day and use the washing machine and dishwasher about every other day. Our TwinTec S4 uses almost exactly 2 Harvey Block Salt blocks a month.
This is only a rule of thumb. Salt use also depends on how hard the water is in your area, and whether your softener has been set up correctly (our installers always set up and fine-tune the softeners we fit).
How much does a water softener cost to run?
As a rough guide, £2.50–£3.00 per person per month. This depends on how much water, and therefore salt, your household uses, and how much you pay for your salt.
Our bulk-buy discounts on salt means that the more salt you buy at once, the cheaper it gets.
Does a water softener need an annual service?
No. Neither a TwinTec or a Kinetico water softener need an annual service.
How long does a water softener last?
It's not unusual to get 20 years of service from a high-quality water softener such as a TwinTec.
What warranty comes with a TwinTec water softener?
2 years labour and 10 years parts.
The water softeners we sell are highly reliable and problems are very rare, but if you are unlucky enough to have an issue with your water softener within the first 2 years, one of our engineers will visit your home to fix it or replace it, completely free of charge. You then have a further 8 years of free parts cover. See our Terms of service for details.