Description
SofterWater™ T56 Hard Water Conditioner. Protects appliances, machinery, plumbing, fixtures, and surfaces from scale build-up. Designed for commercial and residential applications where there is a typical water flow rate of between 41 to 65 litres per minute.
100% designed and manufactured in Australia, the SofterWater™ T56 has been tested in a wide variety of operating environments, from commercial buildings to mine sites. Larger models also available.
What Does It Do?
Many parts of Australia have “hard water” which contains a high level of dissolved minerals and salts.
Some of the mineral content within hard water will precipitate from the water over time, depositing a hard mineral crust called limescale.
Over time, limescale build-up can contribute to a variety of issues. This can include damage to:
- Pipework
- Water boilers
- Appliances like dishwasher
- Internal plumbing fixtures
- Taps
- Coffee machines
- Steam ovens
- Shower heads.
In severe cases, limescale can cause the premature failure of water consuming appliances. Limescale is also very difficult to clean from hard surfaces and makes it more difficult for detergents to work correctly.
The SofterWater™ T56 is designed to tackle limescale build-up — protecting your appliances and plumbing from scale-related damage.
SofterWater™ hard water conditioners use a patented process to change the electrical charge of dissolved minerals in water.
This change makes the minerals clump together in non-sticking colloids which remain in suspension, instead of forming scale.
There are no chemicals involved in this process and the unit does not require electricity. Once plumbed in, you can expect it to be effective for many years to come.
Comes with a Lifetime Manufacturer Warranty (See manufacturer website for details).
Please continue reading to learn more or get in touch today.
SofterWater™ T56 Hard Water Conditioner – Features
- Inline water softener for hard water
- Ideal for larger volume commercial/residential applications including food manufacturers, laundromats, small unit blocks, and busy commercial kitchens
- Flow rates (Litres per minute): Minimum 41 L/min, Average: 56 L/min, Maximum 65 L/min.
- Rugged 316 Stainless Steel Construction
- NO Maintenance Costs (Once installed it will last for years)
- NO Chemicals Required
- NO Electricity Required
- Does not change the taste of your water
- Screws directly onto incoming water line (simple installation 1″ Female Tapered Threads)
- Treats 100% of the water coming into your premises
SofterWater™ T56 Commercial Hard Water Conditioner- Manufacturing Process
SofterWater™ T56 Commercial Hard Water Softener – Benefits
- Protects water-consuming appliances from damage
Scale build-up on heating elements, boilers, solenoids, sensors, and pumps can impair the performance of appliances including hot water systems, coffee machines, and dishwashers. If the issue is severe it can lead to catastrophic failure. The SofterWater™ T56 will dramatically reduce the build-up of hard limescale in these appliances, potentially saving you thousands of dollars. - Less scale accumulates in water lines
The SofterWater™ T56 reduces build-up of scale on the copper and galvanised water lines running through your home. This reduces the risk of expensive plumbing problems occurring including blockages and flow rate issues. - Less corrosion in your plumbing
Water that contains high levels of dissolved salts and minerals can eventually become corrosive and damage pipework. The T56 will reduce the risk of this occurring, - No impact on taste or aroma
Traditional water softeners typically use ion exchange resin to reduce the level of dissolved minerals in your water. Unfortunately, this can change the flavour of your water, making it salty. The T56 won’t change the flavour or odour of your water in any way. - Protects against unsightly scale build-up in bathrooms
There is nothing worse than having the appearance of a beautifully designed bathroom ruined by scale build-up in the shower cubicle and on taps. The SofterWater™ T56 will reduce hard scale build-up, making it much easier to remove any mineral deposits that form. - Easier to use soap and shampoos
Softening the water makes it easier to form a lather from soaps and detergents. This makes showering a much more enjoyable installation. - Softer hair and healthier skin
Reducing hardness will make your water less harsh, improving the appearance of your skin and hair. - Simple installation
Installation is simple for any qualified tradesman. They will cut into your main water line and screw it on. It couldn’t be easier.
SofterWater™ T56 Water Conditioner – How It Works
- SofterWater™ units are made using a special foundry process, combining a group of metals on the anode and cathode galvanic scale. This alloy has a non-sacrificial anode, which means it will never need replacement.
- As water flows into the unit, it moves through a series of baffles causing intense galvanic reactions.
- Most of the minerals in the water are attracted to the sites of these reactions, forming clumps which remain suspended in the water instead of forming scale.
- Any scale that builds-up is much easier to remove as it does not form as a hard crust.
It’s important to note that each SofterWater™ unit is designed for a specific flow rate range. The T56 is designed to be effective at between .
SofterWater™ T56 Hard Water Conditioner – Specifications
- Model: SofterWater™ T56
- Country of origin: Designed and manufactured in Australia
- Thread: 1″ (25mm) Female Threads
- Length: 296mm
- Housing: 316 Stainless Steel
- Flow range: 41-65 L/min
- Application: Larger flows
- Warranty: Lifetime Manufacturer Warranty. See manufacturer website for details.
Why Is Hard Water A Problem?
Although hard water doesn’t pose a significant health risk, the build-up of scale can wreak havoc on a home. Some of the issues you may experience include:
- Damage to appliances
One of the most significant problems associated with scale is damage to appliances. Scale build-up quickly destroys the internal components of coffee makers, washing machines, ice makers, dishwashers and other water-consuming appliances. - Clogged showerheads
Scale can build up in showerheads, blocking holes and reducing your flow rate. This can make your showers much less enjoyable and make it more difficult to clean yourself efficiently. - More soap scum on baths, showers and other hard surfaces
Hard water can prevent soap from dissolving completely. The soap can bond with the minerals in the water to form a film that sticks to everything and causes a soap scum ring in the bath tub. - Cleaning is a major hassle
Limescale build-up from hard water is notoriously difficult to get rid of. Most cleaning products aren’t effective against it, so you need to use a lot of elbow grease to take it off - Permanent etching to glass shower doors
If scale deposits are left on glass surfaces for several months, they can begin to etch into the glass, causing permanent damage. If this occurs, your glass shower door will develop a white cloudy appearance that looks terrible. - Fabrics are scratchy and wear out fast
Hard water is brutal on clothes. It can damage the fibres, making your clothing uncomfortable to wear and causing it to degrade faster. - Damage to plumbing fixtures
Limescale can cause significant damage to your plumbing fixtures. It can move into the crevices on your fixtures, making them difficult to turn and causing drips. It can also contribute to leaks, but expanding joints. A hard water conditioner like the T56 is ideal for resolving this type of issue. - Spots on glasses and dishes
If you wash glasses and dishes in hard water, the minerals will dry on the surface, causing spots and streaks. Over time, a cloudy film can develop which makes your glasses and dishes look terrible. A water conditioner like the T56 is ideal for resolving this type of issue.
SofterWater™ T56 Hard Water Softener – FAQ
Will It Reduce Scale Build-up In My Appliances?
The unit will greatly reduce hard limescale build-up in appliances, protecting them from damage and reducing power consumption.
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.
Does The T56 Require Any Maintenance?
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.
Does The Internal Alloy Ever Need To Be Replaced?
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.
How Does This Differ To A Traditional Whole House Water Softener?
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.
Will It Affect My 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 T56, for example, is specified as having a Minimum flow rate of 41 L/min, Average flow rate of 56 L/min and Maximum of 65 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.
Is This The Same As A Hard Water Filter?
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.
Will This Act Like A Hard Water Shower Filter?
Because the T56 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.
SofterWater™ – Testimonials
“As you know, we have a bore feeding into quite a large tank which we then pump to the house with an inline pressure pump.
We were plagued with lime scale from the minute we installed the bore. There was notable build up in all taps, shower heads blocking within a month and the white scale covering everything else. The evaporative air conditioner we had installed would block in less than 10 days, with the water squirting out the side, not just running down the pads.
We had to use industrial strength de-scaler in the air conditioner and had been told we should never have installed this type of air conditioner.
Since installing a SofterWater Conditioner on the pressure pump and one on the air conditioner we have had fantastic results.”
– Thanks Anne and Glen
Hello Earl,
Hope you and your family are well. Apologies it has taken a while to respond! The SofterWater Conditioner has definitely made a difference. We haven’t had to replace our hot water element since 27.8.11, if it goes past 12 months that will be great!
Usually it needs replacing after 9 months or so as there is so much mineral build up etc. We have kept a record of the dates when the element has been replaced before the SofterWater Conditioner went in. There is a bit less pressure, but we do think the water is softer. Hope this is helpful.
– Regards, Sally
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