Free Delivery AvailableAll our products are delivered for free, usually by the next day. If you live within the following areas, salt delivery is also free! If you want to have salt delivered outside of this area a delivery charge will be added at chackout.
We can deliver for free to local areas such as:
Alton
Alresford
Winchester
Petersfield
Basingstoke
Aldershot
Farnham
Four Marks
Please drop us a QuickEmail below, if you're unsure your area is covered
for all other delivery quieries click here
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Our WarehouseOur warehouse address is open 5 days a week for salt pick ups. as we always have plenty in stock - if you need emegency salt, please feel free to swing by and pick some up - card payments now avaiable!
Spectrum Warehouse
Unit 1 - 172 Winchester Road,
Four Marks,
Hampshire,
GU34 5HZ
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The Basics of a Water SoftenerHard water contains large amounts of calcium and magnesium two minerals that cause the soapy scum on glasses and lime residue on bathroom fixtures. While suitable for drinking and gardening, hard water can cause mineral build-up in water heaters, pipes, dishwashers and showerheads, reducing its flow and shortening the appliance life. Soap and shampoo’s ability to lather is reduced, laundry becomes stiffer and duller in appearance, and skin is often dry after washing and leads to cracking or soreness, especially for people with sensitive skin - softened water has even been proven to dramatically reduce symptoms of eczema
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 How Does a Water Softener Work?A water softener uses a medium that serves to exchange "ions" of calcium and magnesium with sodium.
This occurs in four steps:
1. To achieve the ion replacement, the water in the runs through a resin bed of small plastic beads. The beads are covered with sodium ions. As the water flows past the ions, they swap places with the calcium and magnesium ions. Eventually, the beads contain nothing but calcium and magnesium, and softening stops. It is then time to regenerate the resin beads.
2. To regenerate, the beads need to regain their sodium ions by being flooded with a salty, brine solution that is rich in sodium.
3. Once completed, the calcium and magnesium, dirt and sediments are flushed from the beads and into the drain in a process called backwash.
4. The final phase rinses the mineral tank with fresh water and loads the brine tank so it's ready for the next cycle.
Automatic water softeners are usually programmed to recharge at specific times that will not disrupt the occupants.
It is slightly more water-efficient to have a metered model that will regenerate only when required to reduce water waste.
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Can I Drink Softened Water?Spectrum would always advise that a dedicated drinking water tap be allocated due to the conflicting advice on the safety of drinking softened water (Click here for our mains water link taps and see how easy it is to install one to work alongside your softener). Drinking small quanities will not be detrimental for healthly individuals. Local Water Authority & Water Supply regulations recommend that a separate Drinking Water Tap be used where softened water is used. This is due to the increased Sodium levels in softened water which could rise above the Drinking Water (Water Quality) Supply Regulations 2000 recommended maximum level of 200 mg/litre
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 Does soft water improve Eczema?Yes! click the pic or copy and paste these links...
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/1894381.stm
http://www.aquasoftherts.com/dry_skin_eczema.htm
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Will I need an engineer to survey for my installation?Nearly all our softeners are designed for easy installation and come with a choice of either easy install push-fit installation kits or traditional compression/solder installation kits. All an engineer will do is see if the softener will fit where you need the softener to be installed and where in your water supply the softener will fit. Why not support you local plumber who will be pleased to install your softener for you. Typically you will save £600 to £1000 on your softener by installating the softener yourself or by using a local plumber.
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Will Softened Water Remove Existing Scale?The answer to this question is a resounding YES. This is one of the key benefits of fitting a softener. Please note that severely scaled systems may not be completely descaled but you will see a significant reduction in the levels.
Typically scale in your Kettle will be removed within 6 weeks (if you decide that drinking softened water is ok for you - See Later). It will take around 6 months to remove scale from your boiler & hot water cylinder heating elements. Your pipework can take around 1-2 Years for the scale to be removed
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Will I Use Less Cleaning Products & Chemicals?Cleaning products normally have built in softening chemicals. With a softener fitted you will not need the softening component of a cleaning product so can reduce the amount of chemical required. Typically the amount of Washing Up Liquid, Kitchen, Floor & Bathroom Cleaners Cleaners & Soap required can be reduced by half
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Can I use a softener with my Combi Boiler?Most definitiely. Softened water will actually remove scale from your existing boiler which will save energy, heat water more quickly and extend the life of the boiler.
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How much salt will I use?Hardness varies around the country which will affect how much salt you will use. Typically you will need one block of salt per person per month, or 5kg
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What type of salt is best?Where ever possible block salt is recommended. It is less messy than granular/table salt, is easier to put in your softener under your sink and also contains no additional chemicals such as anticaking agents.
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Will my softener harbour bacteria?Each time your softener regenerates brine is passed over the resin. This effectively kills any bacteria that may have built up. Provided the softener is used regularly bacterial growth will be virtually zero. If left unused for an extended period (holidays for example) thorough flushing and a regeneration cycle would remove any bacteria which have built up.
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Will my water pressure be affected?You will see a reduction in water presssure after the softener of around 1 Bar. Tyoically mains water pressure is much higher than this so this drop will not make that much difference. If you have a tank in your roof the hot and cold taps served by the tank will not have a drop in pressure.
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What about annual maintenance?Good quality non-electric water softeners such as our Genesis System do not require any maintenance.
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What about watering my garden?This will not be detrimental but will use alot of salt so we wouldn't recommend it. Outside taps are best plumbed directly to the mains and this will need to be taken into consideration when installing your softener.
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What about non-electric twin vessel designs sold by other companies?Our single vessel Genesis Non-Electric Design only has one vessel which means less to go wrong. It is more compact. Regeration of the Genesis System is only 15 minutes so there is no need for 2 vessels. Vessel exchange & service is also much easier by a simple exchange system, no need for an expensive engineer to visit or the need to return the softener for service leaving you with hardwater whilst the softener is away.
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Does the resin still need to be replaced regularly?New modern resins do not need to be replaced and will most likely outlast the life of the softener valve.
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Can my softener move with me when I move house?Our easy installation kits also allow for easy removal so you can most definitiely take your softener with you when you move.
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What about my Cesspit?Soft water and salt from the regeration can be discharged to a Cesspit. The tanks are emptied periodically and do not discharge to ground.
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