Quooker

[rockyracoon]

We recently had our Quooker tap serviced as it was quite badly scaled up. We live in a hard water area. The engineer told my son that we should get an inline scale reducer and gave the name of a company where we could buy one. Apparently he uses it with his Quooker and says it works a treat.

Do we need a plumber to fit one of these, or is it something that you think could be done DIY? And do you know what type we should order?

Thanks in advance.

[gingejbee]

Did he not give you details? It may be the type that gets plumbed inline on the incoming water service AND needs an electrical supply.

[gingejbee]

or, this type which requires no electrical supply.....

https://www.screwfix.com/p/liff-electrolytic-in-line-scale-inhibitor-15mm/91448

[davebro]

^^^^^ I don't understand how that works long-term & if it does why do folks spend big money on water softeners that need regular salt replacement?

[rockyracoon]

I didn't talk to him, my son did and he's not very savvy. I've no idea how they work.
It might be easier to call the company tomorrow and see what they say.
We've got a water softener but wouldn't dream of connecting it to anything we drink.

[rockyracoon]

Sorry, forgot to add thanks.

[gingejbee]

Electrolytic scale inhibitors depend on very strong magnetic fields to change the way the carnates are formed (as a fine dispersed powder rather than a hard scale deposit).
They do not soften the water as an ion-exchange resin softener does...the cold water remains chemically the same.

[gingejbee]

^I don't know where "carnates" came from! Should be "carbonates" as in calcium and magnesium carbonate, which is what scale deposits mainly are.

[bhg481]

We've been drinking water-softener water for 50 years with no ill effects.

[gingejbee]

^however, bhg, it's still not recommended!

[barry1010]

I live in a very hard water area and my electric in line scale inhibitor makes a huge difference to my electrical appliances.

[rockyracoon]

Did you install it yourself, Danny? Is it hardwired or does it come with a plug?

[TheWinner]

https://www.quooker.co.uk/media/wysiwyg/i/n/installation_guide_scale_control_plus.pdf

[rockyracoon]

Thanks Winner. They need replacing every 6 months, so would rather use something a bit more robust.