Should I replace my ScaleWatcher with a Combimate?

[bugs]

I've gone through three showers in as many years and when the last was fitted I installed a ScaleWatcher but now this one has absolutely had it too. A plumber has mentioned a Combimate but I want to see if any of you have feedback to give me on this. Once we sort the scale out, he advised to put in yet another electric, but spend more money.

Just a bit of background - We are on Economy 7 and there is three of us in the flat with VERY low hot water pressure. The plumber said that we have good cold water pressure though (possibly about 4 bar).

[alanka]

If you stick with an electric shower, you will need to fit an effective scale inhibitor to protect the element from rapidly scaling up, since you obviously live in a very hard water area.

The only scale inhibitor that I have found really works is the polyphosphate dosing type e.g. a 'Permutit Scale Inhibitor' (I order mine from B&Q). With this type of inhibitor you have to fit a new cartridge every year or so, depending on the water usage.

I have many times seen totally scaled-up installations that had one (or more!) electric-type scale inhibitors -- that evidently had not worked. There are also magnetic-type inhibitors (e.g. Salamander) that MAY work, but I do not have solid evidence for this.

If you want to try a totally different solution, fit a venturi-type shower mixer. These rely on a good high-pressure cold water flow to suck in low-pressure hot water and produce a blended output at a useable pressure. Trevi do one -- 'Trevi Boost', but there are others on the market. This should work with the supplies you describe, and has the advantage that you won't need a scale inhibitor because the hot water is not being produced in the shower mixer itself. (Mind you, your hot water cylinder must be very scaled up by now!)

Cheers, Big Al
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Cheers, Big Al

[bugs]

Cheers Big Al. Sounds like good advice. I posted a message on the Shower forum too and Newbie suggested the Trevi Boost. When I spoke to the only plumber that I could get round to view my house, he said that this was a very expensive direction to go in. I've yet to get his latest feedback as it wasn't me who was at the flat with him today. BTW, we have a new water tank.

[alanka]

Bugs, if you've recently fitted a new hw cylinder I STRONGLY recommend you have a scale inhibitor fitted just upstream of the hwc. Now is the time, before the cylinder starts to fur up! I recommend -- you guessed it -- a Permutit inhibitor!

Cheers, Big Al
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Cheers, Big Al

[bugs]

Can you tell me where to find some info on the Permutit inhibitor? I've searched the internet but can't find any website. I found their telephone number but no answer.

Do you know if it is anything like a Combimate from http://www.cistermiser.co.uk/ It uses a polyphosphate compound called Siliphos. This is the product my plumber has been going on about.

[alanka]

Yes, the Combimate uses exactly the same principle but with a totally different design!

I've never fitted a Combimate, but the Permutit version uses a neat canister cartridge that you swap without handling any chemicals. Also, the unit appears to be more versatile in how it can be positioned on the pipework. It is basically a 'tee' which is cut into the supply pipe and the cartridge is clipped on the branch of the tee at any angle. But the Combimate may well be just as good ?

I find I have to order it from B&Q as a special order -- they don't generally hold stock.

Look at:-

http://www.diy.com/diy/jsp/bq/product/product.jsp?CATID=175894&entryFlag=false&PRODID=175903&paintCatId=&maxBullets=999
and

http://www.shopmix.co.uk/diy/diy_pg157.php

for some info.

Cheers, Big Al
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Cheers, Big Al

[Andy Christensen, CWS]

To prevent scale build up caused by calcium carbonate (lime) and iron, the most proven way is with a softener. There are numerous other benefits, as well.

If you water is causing shower heads to fail at that rate, then many other water related fixtures, appliances and hardware is also suffering, and chances, far more expensive to replace.

Electronic scale busters have a dubious record and I have not seen success in the owners when they finally call on us to install softeners.

Get an accurate water test and report back your results.

Andy Christensen, CWS
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Take of your water and your water will take care of you.