Maybe a strange question!
We have a water softener at home and the water I use to fill the screen washer bottle is softened.
We are getting a new boiler fitted and the fitter wanted to make sure connected to an un softened cold water due to corrosion if soft water was used.
Will the softened water harm any components in the LR washer pump etc? Should I use un-softened water?

I work with water treatment plants, all the way from filter banks through softeners, de-ionisers, to RO systems. Softened water will make no difference at all.

If you are in a hard water area (which I assume you are, as you have a softener fitted). then a softener will, if anything, lengthen the lifespan of pumps, etc.

I'd be a little concerned about connecting the new boiler to a very hard water mains supply. Could cause buildup of crud, especially by the heat exchangers, and lead to breakdowns. I'd get them to put it in writing what they want, and why.

RO water can lead to corrosion, as it is more 'aggressive' than normal tapwater. But softened water, I've never heard of any problems.

I'm by no means an expert on the subject but where I work we use softened well water in our pasturisers (I work for a drinks firm) IIRC the water is softened with salts and we have to dose other chemicals into the water to prevent corrosion errect of the salts.

I live in a soft water area, never had any trouble with corrosion of the boiler.
The topic was never raised when we got a new boiler.
Provided the heating system is pre-filled with a corrosion inhibitor you should have no problems.
Obviously your plumber has never worked in soft water areas. He should get out more.
I have used soft water in my screen washers for about 40 years and never had a problem so far.
I understood the only problems with hard water in heating systems and hot water systems related to scale build up, nothing more.

We have to soften steam boiler feed water so why not a domestic boiler for the same reasons?
Salt is used as part of the process but that is to recharge the softner not to make the water salty. What if you live in a soft water area?
Hard water yes because as previously posted when the water is heated the limescale drops out of the water coating the elements, sides of the vessel or pipe work thats why washing machines live longer with Calgon!!
So all sounds like B*****Ks to me! Mine was a blue one!

Last edited by Andy3681 on 12th Jun 2013 3:59pm. Edited 1 time in total

buy proper screen wash ,its not that expensive.. ... - .- -.




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I dont have to!!
 Mine was a blue one!

yes but,

Screen wash Q and A

Why do I need screen wash? Can’t I just use water?
Screen wash has ingredients to help shift grime from the screen in a similar way to an alcohol-based glass cleaner. It softens hard deposits to give wipers a better chance of removing them and contains ingredients to prevent smearing. Most also include an element of antifreeze so washers can continue to work when temperatures drop.

What’s the difference between the various types of screen wash?
There are different types of ready-mixed washes, as these aren’t designed to be diluted to suit the seasons. It’s a case of balancing performance: in summer washes, the formula is biased towards shifting baked-on insects, tree sap and road film. Winter washes are more resistant to freezing, with formulas to deal with road spray. All-season washes are somewhere in between. ... - .- -.




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Andy3681 wrote:

I dont have to!!

What, no windscreen?

I make it!!  Mine was a blue one!

Last edited by Andy3681 on 12th Jun 2013 5:57pm. Edited 1 time in total

Move to Scotland, we have lots of soft water - no furry kettles here!

Mind you, we have furry boots in Aberdeen  Got - 2017 SDV8 Autobiography in Loire Blue
Had- 2008 TDV8 Vogue SE in Java black
Had - 2007 S/C in Stornoway Grey

Thanks all, I will continue as I do now.