Water softeners

[gaz1234]

Hello
I have a softener that I acquired with a new purchase. Speaking to the supplier they confirmed it was faulty. So we isolated that. Since then as number of valves on the radiators are going rusty and green. Shower heads clogging up. I’m assuming this is the limescale corroding?
I had a plumber see it today. They think that the softener should only supply the cold and not the heating. Is this correct?

 

[jj4091]

Shouldn't be needed on the hot as it has already been softened before it gets to the boiler if the cold supply has it fitted. But thermostatic shower heads will have a hot and cold supply or just cold if it's an electric one.
Can't comment on the radiators, perhaps a separate issue but it depends on if it is a sealed system or not as far as I know.

 

[gaz1234]

What’s sealed system?

 

[jj4091]

As far as I know a sealed system is like a combi boiler rather than one that is fed by a header tank, but may well be wrong about that. Someone will explain.

 

[flameport]

They think that the softener should only supply the cold and not the heating. Is this correct?

The water in the radiators is put in there once and recirculated for ever.
Totally separate and unrelated to water supplied to taps, showers and the rest.

 

[MeldrewsMate]

Some boiler manufacturers do not allow artificially softened water to be used within the sealed heating system.
Some people think that repressurising their heating system regularly is normal, however doing this with softened cold water will gradually increase the concentration of softened water in that system.
If this is the case:
1. Solve the cause of the loss of system pressure.
2. Turn off (by-pass) the softener
3. Drain and refill the system, adding corrosion inhibitor.