Hard water is an unfortunate reality in most homes in Ireland. It is caused by a high level of minerals like calcium and magnesium being present in Irelands water supply. Although not harmful to drink, hard water does cause a variety of problems.
Many of us will be familiar with limescale (scientific name: calcium carbonate) which constantly clogs up showerheads and forms a residue around sinks and draining boards. Most of us will also have seen where limescale builds up over time into a rock-like formation which can build up around and reduce the flow of taps.
Seeing is believing! And yet most of the damage caused by limescale is actually unseen until it is too late. Limescale accumulation due to hard water can in time do huge damage to your household appliances like dishwashers and washing machines and to the water pipes in your home leading to lower water pressure and reduced heating system efficiency.
Thankfully we have the solution. With a water softener installed and serviced by Hard Water Solutions you can say goodbye to limescale within your home.
Limescale in your shower?
If your showerhead is clogged up with small mineral-like encrustations which over time reduces the flow of water then it is almost certain limescale is the culprit.
Once installed a water softener will eliminate unsightly limescale from your showerheads and help restore your showers flow to create a more invigorating daily shower experience.
Water Softener Benefits
100% Limescale Removal
Limescale builds up in your home where ever hard water flows. It can be unseen- such as in your pipework and appliances and seen around showerheads, sinks and draining boards. Once a water softener is installed you'll immediately notice the difference in the quality of your water and can say goodbye to hard water for ever.
Kinder to Skin & Hair
Unlike hard water which leaves your skin and hair feeling dry and itchy, soft water is much kinder. Your skin will feel much more supple and soft and your hair will feel more lustrous and shiny every time you shower.
Boosts Energy Efficiency
Soft water enhances the energy efficiency of your plumbing and appliances throughout the home. Dishwashers and Washing machines deliver outstanding results and require shorter cycles and your heating system also benefits as unlike hard water
Protects Your Appliances
A water softener protects your home appliances and extends their lifespan as it prevents the buildup of limescale which is the main cause of appliances like electric showers, dishwashers and washing machines breaking down.
Easy to Install & Maintain
Our water softeners are compact and are designed to easily fit under the kitchen sink of most homes. They are easy to maintain with just an annual service recommended which we will carry out for you.
Softer Laundry
Softened water leaves clothes and laundry such as bedsheets and towels feeling much softer and also extends their lifespan.
Save Money
Greater home heating efficiency, extending the lifespan of your household appliances and saving money on detergents and cleaning products are just some of the ways investing in a water softener will save you lots of money over time.
Sparkling clean dishes
Unlike hard water which leaves a stubborn residue on dishes and glassware, softened water gives sparkling clean results every time.
Frequently Asked Questions
There are a number of telltale signs that hard water is present. Limescale buildup on taps and shower heads, a white residue in sinks and baths, difficulty creating a lather with soap or shampoo and dry skin and hair are all possible indicators of hard water.
Water softeners work by a process called ‘ion exchange’ to remove calcium and magnesium minerals from your water as it enters your home. The water softener system is connected to your mains.
Hard water passes through tanks filled with resin beads to which calcium and magnesium ions in the hard water are attracted. In the softener, ion exchange takes place removing the calcium and magnesium and releasing sodium ions into the water making it soft.
As part of the process a water softener system uses a brine solution to clean or flush away the calcium and magnesium mineral deposits they’ve collected.
Installing a water softener is a straightforward process that will take one of our engineers 2-3 hours to complete. In a lot of cases the water softener is installed at your kitchen sink but it will depend where the mains supply enters your home.
Softened water is generally safe to drink with only trace levels of sodium being added to the water as part of the water softening process. However it is not suitable for babies or people on low sodium diets. In this instance we can install a reverse osmosis system which removes excess sodium in the water.
We recommend once a year servicing of your water softener to ensure it is working optimally. During servicing we inspect and clean the resin tank and check the systems settings on the digital meter.
The amount of salt needed can vary depending on usage. Typically though a 25kg bag of salt will last between 6-8 weeks.
Typically the ion exchange resin would be changed after 7 or 8 years depending on usage. The Clack brand of softener we use can last 20+ years.
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Enjoy the benefits of softened water throughout your home and say goodbye to hard water and limescale. Get in touch today!