Q: Will It Reduce Scale Build-up In My Bathroom?

Yes, the SofterWater™ T18 is designed to do exactly that. The unit will greatly reduce hard limescale build-up in showers, taps, and sinks. However, it’s worth noting that it won’t remove soft residues like soap scum which can combine with minerals. Fortunately, those types of residues are simple to remove using a domestic cleaning product. The hard-to-remove carbonate limescale will be virtually eliminated.

Q: Does The Unit Require Any Maintenance?

No it doesn’t. Once installed, you can expect to get many years, if not, many decades of use from it. The alloy and stainless steel housing are resistant to corrosion and extremely robust.

Q: Does The Internal Alloy Ever Need To Be Replaced?

No, it doesn’t. The special alloy contained within SofterWater™ conditioners is not a sacrificial anode, which means it does not corrode or lose molecules over time. This means it will technically be capable of lasting for decades. In fact, there are commercial softening units installed by SofterWater™ over 20 years ago which are still effective today.

Q: Will It Affect My Flow Rate?

No, it will not impact your flow rate. However, it is important to select the correct unit for your application. To choose the correct unit, compare your average/maximum flow rates against SofterWater™ Conditioners Model Application guide. The T18, for example, is specified as having a Minimum flow rate of 10 L/min, Average flow rate of 18 L/min and Maximum of 35 L/min. It’s important that you don’t get a unit that is too small or too large, as it may be less effective due to impaired galvanic activity.

Q: Is This The Same As A Hard Water Filter?

No it’s different. A hard water filter will contain some type of media that reduces hardness. The most common types of hard water filters have polyphosphate or KDF. Polyphosphate will dissolve in the water over time, sequestering (wrapping up) some of the dissolved calcium and magnesium molecules, so it is more difficult for scale to form. KDF is a blend of copper and zinc. As oxygenated water flows through this media, certain contaminants lose or gain electrons to the KDF. Some of the dissolved calcium in the water is precipitated from the water as aragonite, so doesn’t go on to form scale. Unfortunately, both of these media types will only work on water that is soft to moderate hardness. Other hard water filters will use ion exchange resin or another media. They can handle harder water, but are more expensive. The differences between these hard water filters and the SofterWater products are: Filter media needs to be replenished over time. Either a new filter or bags of media will need to be purchased, so there is an ongoing cost to consider. Large housings, vessels, or filter heads are required for hard water filters. Replacement parts may also be needed. Hard water filters often have o-rings, heads, filter sumps and other components which wear out. The SofterWater devices are a set and forget type device with a lifetime guarantee. Once it is installed there is nothing you will need to do.

Q: Will It Reduce Scale Build-up In My Bathroom?

Yes, the SofterWater™ T18 is designed to do exactly that. The unit will greatly reduce hard limescale build-up in showers, taps, and sinks. However, it’s worth noting that it won’t remove soft residues like soap scum which can combine with minerals. Fortunately, those types of residues are simple to remove using a domestic cleaning product. The hard-to-remove carbonate limescale will be virtually eliminated.

Q: Does The Unit Require Any Maintenance?

No it doesn’t. Once installed, you can expect to get many years, if not, many decades of use from it. The alloy and stainless steel housing are resistant to corrosion and extremely robust.

Q: Does The Internal Alloy Ever Need To Be Replaced?

No, it doesn’t. The special alloy contained within SofterWater™ conditioners is not a sacrificial anode, which means it does not corrode or lose molecules over time. This means it will technically be capable of lasting for decades. In fact, there are commercial softening units installed by SofterWater™ over 20 years ago which are still effective today.

Question 1

Will It Reduce Scale Build-up In My Bathroom?

Accepted Answer

Yes, the SofterWater™ T18 is designed to do exactly that.

The unit will greatly reduce hard limescale build-up in showers, taps, and sinks.

However, it’s worth noting that it won’t remove soft residues like soap scum which can combine with minerals. Fortunately, those types of residues are simple to remove using a domestic cleaning product. The hard-to-remove carbonate limescale will be virtually eliminated.

Question 2

Does The Unit Require Any Maintenance?

Accepted Answer

No it doesn’t.

Once installed, you can expect to get many years, if not, many decades of use from it. The alloy and stainless steel housing are resistant to corrosion and extremely robust.

Question 3

Does The Internal Alloy Ever Need To Be Replaced?

Accepted Answer

No, it doesn’t.

The special alloy contained within SofterWater™ conditioners is not a sacrificial anode, which means it does not corrode or lose molecules over time. This means it will technically be capable of lasting for decades.

In fact, there are commercial softening units installed by SofterWater™ over 20 years ago which are still effective today.

Question 4

How Does This Differ To A Traditional Whole House Water Softener?

Accepted Answer

Traditional water softeners use ion exchange resin to remove dissolved minerals from the water.

The resin takes out calcium, magnesium, potassium and other molcules from the water and exchanges it for another molecule — usually sodium. When the resin has run out of sodium molecules, it can be ‘recharged’ with salty water.

While ion exchange resin is very effective at reducing hardness, there are a few downsides of using this process:

Very Expensive
Traditional water softeners can cost several thousand dollars. Once installed, there will also be running costs which may include the cost of electricity and replacement resin. There will also be waste water, which is created when the resin is regenerated.
Salty Water
The resin must be flushed intermittently with salty water in order to recharge it. After it is flushed, it need to rinsed with clean water to remove the excess salt. Unfortunately, it can be difficult to remove it all, which can result in salty water entering the house, which is not very palatable.

The SofterWater products avoid these downsides, as there are no replacement parts required and no electricity needed.

Question 5

Will It Affect My Flow Rate?

Accepted Answer

No, it will not impact your flow rate.

However, it is important to select the correct unit for your application. To choose the correct unit, compare your average/maximum flow rates against SofterWater™ Conditioners Model Application guide.

The T18, for example, is specified as having a Minimum flow rate of 10 L/min, Average flow rate of 18 L/min and Maximum of 35 L/min.

It’s important that you don’t get a unit that is too small or too large, as it may be less effective due to impaired galvanic activity.

Question 6

Is This The Same As A Hard Water Filter?

Accepted Answer

No it’s different.

A hard water filter will contain some type of media that reduces hardness. The most common types of hard water filters have polyphosphate or KDF.

Polyphosphate will dissolve in the water over time, sequestering (wrapping up) some of the dissolved calcium and magnesium molecules, so it is more difficult for scale to form.
KDF is a blend of copper and zinc. As oxygenated water flows through this media, certain contaminants lose or gain electrons to the KDF. Some of the dissolved calcium in the water is precipitated from the water as aragonite, so doesn’t go on to form scale.

Unfortunately, both of these media types will only work on water that is soft to moderate hardness.

Other hard water filters will use ion exchange resin or another media. They can handle harder water, but are more expensive.

The differences between these hard water filters and the SofterWater products are:

Filter media needs to be replenished over time. Either a new filter or bags of media will need to be purchased, so there is an ongoing cost to consider.
Large housings, vessels, or filter heads are required for hard water filters.
Replacement parts may also be needed. Hard water filters often have o-rings, heads, filter sumps and other components which wear out.

The SofterWater devices are a set and forget type device with a lifetime guarantee. Once it is installed there is nothing you will need to do.

Question 7

Will This Act Like A Hard Water Shower Filter?

Accepted Answer

Yes, it will behave like a shower head filter for hard water.

Because the T18 is treating all of the water coming into your home, your shower water also be treated. You’ll see less scale build-up on your shower head, taps, bath, and within your shower cubicle.

It’s works in a similar way to a traditional shower water softener, so you’ll also find it easier to form a lather from soap and your shampoo will be more effective.

Question 8