Do these things really work to reduce limescale ?

[macabethiel]

http://watertreatmentdirect.co.uk/htmltemp/pdf/easy_to_fit/easy_to_fit-microwave_waterwave.pdf

Fittedd one of these about 10 years ago and noticed the green light had gone out. Checked it and circuit board had blow.

Don't know if its worth replacing or is it just Voodoo ?

Anyone have any advice to offer ?

 

[solarman216]

http://watertreatmentdirect.co.uk/htmltemp/pdf/easy_to_fit/easy_to_fit-microwave_waterwave.pdf

Fittedd one of these about 10 years ago and noticed the green light had gone out. Checked it and circuit board had blow.

Don't know if its worth replacing or is it just Voodoo ?

Anyone have any advice to offer ?

I would go with Voodoo, do you have an electric or gas kettle, if so have a look inside, any scale? then pop into one of your neighbors and have a look in theirs, if they have scale and you do not then it was doing something, if you have no scale and neither do they then it was doing nothing cos it was not needed, Rick

 

[Banshee]

I work for a Water Company and can ask for you if you like?

I know we have one in the communal kitchen at work as I queried what it was myself, not the same brand though and ours is also a lot bigger

 

[macabethiel]

I would go with Voodoo, do you have an electric or gas kettle, if so have a look inside, any scale? then pop into one of your neighbors and have a look in theirs, if they have scale and you do not then it was doing something, if you have no scale and neither do they then it was doing nothing cos it was not needed, Rick

Do they not fit something like this if you have a condensing boiler with no water tank otherwise the heat exchanger would be calcified very quickly worse tah any kettle ?

 

[solarman216]

Do they not fit something like this if you have a condensing boiler with no water tank otherwise the heat exchanger would be calcified very quickly worse tah any kettle ?

old wives tails, I have been in the game over 30 years and not found one that works yet, Rick

 

[Terrano Steve]

I am in no way qualified to answer your question.
But if it does remove limescale what does it do with it as rick says it builds up in kettles so where is the big pile of 10 year accumulated lime scale.

Oh and is drinking water that has been treated with some sort of voodoo microwave radiation healthy:augie.

 

[johnb5177]

This is what I use at home, straight after main stop cock into house.

http://www.bricodepot.fr/toulon/double-filtre-complet/prod7990/

I have to change the filters every 3 months or we get scum in teapots etc...ugh!

We have major timescale in this area, as the underlying geology is soft white limestone (pierre blanche)

I have heard that due to that, there is a higher incidence of kidney stones also.

 

[rustic]

I am in no way qualified to answer your question.
But if it does remove limescale what does it do with it as rick says it builds up in kettles so where is the big pile of 10 year accumulated lime scale.

Oh and is drinking water that has been treated with some sort of voodoo microwave radiation healthy:augie.

Found this on Bristol Water web site...

Physical Water Conditioners
The most common types are electric water conditioners and magnetic water conditioners; both types operate in a similar way. When hard water is heated limescale forms as tiny crystals. The shape of these crystals promotes the build-up of limescale. In theory, physical water conditioners change the shape of the limescale crystals, which prevents them from sticking to surfaces leaving them suspended in the water. This effect is thought to be temporary, so for best results the device should be fitted as close as possible to the unit heating the water. Physical water conditioners do not remove the calcium and magnesium minerals from the water. As they do not soften the water you are unlikely to notice any impact on the amount of soap or detergent used, or a reduction in the amount of limescale forming in your kettle. However, because they do not change the chemistry of the water it remains safe to drink.

So waste of time and resources...

 

[firebobby]

We have one, I also fitted a new MDPE service pipe to my house as the old galv pipe was quite rotten. The unit I got said it works better on plastic pipe, so I had the correct pipe. After 10 years plus, I can say it's shite, we have to replace our electric showers every couple of years and our kettle rattles with scale.

 

[macabethiel]

This is what I use at home, straight after main stop cock into house.

http://www.bricodepot.fr/toulon/double-filtre-complet/prod7990/

I have to change the filters every 3 months or we get scum in teapots etc...ugh!

We have major timescale in this area, as the underlying geology is soft white limestone (pierre blanche)

I have heard that due to that, there is a higher incidence of kidney stones also.

Looks like an ion exchange resin system - they do work some can be re-charged by reverse flushing with Brine. The Chemistry is well understood a bit too bulky and expensive for what I want.

 

[Blocky10]

We have one, I also fitted a new MDPE service pipe to my house as the old galv pipe was quite rotten. The unit I got said it works better on plastic pipe, so I had the correct pipe. After 10 years plus, I can say it's shite, we have to replace our electric showers every couple of years and our kettle rattles with scale.

Quality review!

Sent from my KFTT using Tapatalk

 

[perelaar]

We have one of those ion exchange systems since 2 years, indeed needs brine (have to add salt every few months).
Works a treat - no more limescale, no odours or taste impact on the water, and my wife tells me it is much nicer on her hair.

As for safety of drinking water: all drinking water is filtered through a carbon filter (Britta) anyway before we use it. Use the same type while camping, although then I also boil the water before it goes through the filter. Used rain water, river water and lake water without any issues.

 

[firebobby]

We have one of those ion exchange systems since 2 years, indeed needs brine (have to add salt every few months).
Works a treat - no more limescale, no odours or taste impact on the water, and my wife tells me it is much nicer on her hair.
.

If your talking about a water softener which you add salt to, then you should not really be drinking it as a small amount of sodium is added to the softened water. I work for the local water company and visit many customers who have different water related issues, I went to one house and the man and women looked like they were on their last legs, they were having issues with flow and pressure, so I opened the bypass on the softener, instant increase in both F&P. I advised them to get the softener serviced. He offered me a cuppa and then filled the kettle from the kitchen tap, not the hard water tap next to it, I asked if he normally did this 'Yes' was the reply 'been doing it for years, never done us any harm', Look in the bloody mirror mate I thought, I didn't bother with the tea.
I remember the old water inspectors would say that you don't drink it, use it for washing, not drinking.

 

[solarman216]

Firebobby is correct, you should not drink softened water, it is definitely bad for you, and it is not good in your central heating system either, but all other purposes it is OK although I wonder about watering the garden, but not a gardener so do not really know, if you do not want to drink tap water then invest in a filter for human ingestion, the type of element will depend on what is in your water, your water supplier will be able to tell you this although they may be unwilling, but it is your right to know, Rick

 

[perelaar]

Our garden and indoor plants seems to like it... Never heard about the treated water being unhealthy, I'll look into it.