Showers or water softener issue?

[doog442]

Hi.

We have a Monarch Midi water softener I installed about seven years ago. In the last few months we've noticed hot cold / fluctuations when using either of the two electric showers (not at the same time ) and usually when the washing machine is on or someone flushes the loo. In other words the showers are fluctuating hot / cold every now and then as can be heard by the occasional shriek !! plus I can confirm so the occasional feffin and jeffin. This has never really happened before.

Both electric showers were fitted at the same time (Mira Azore) about 4 years ago so am presuming for both to play up at exactly the same time the problem is back further down the line. That said I'm not excluding a problem with them

I've tested the shower flow by bypassing the water softener and the difference is really noticeable straight from mains but I can't really compare with when it was first fitted, to me it just seems the same as previously when actually having a shower . That said would I notice a gradual decline, not sure . Water pressure into the house is fine.

I'm struggling to find anything online about routine servicing of a Monarch, I presume something is getting clogged somewhere and It just seems the sensible place to start.

Does anyone have any hints or tips, I presume the first step is to empty it and clean it out other than that any ideas ? Thanks.

 

[JohnD]

The cylinder contains softening granules, I suppose the flow might have been strong enough to wash some of them into the valves or filters of the machine, I think you could have to take them off to check.

Water softeners usually have small bore flexi hoses and valves which constrict the flow.. You can buy large bore ones, they are a bit expensive but I think that would be a good start in improving the flow. Measure the spigots on your machine, they are probably the same size as a washing machine hose. 3/4" BSP, although for historical reasons they do not measure three quarters of an inch,

The hoses you need are white, for potable water, not red or blue like washing machines.

 

[dilalio]

Measure flow rate with softener inline and on bypass.
Check shower inlets for debris.
And softener outlets if it has filters.

 

[doog442]

Thanks. I'm busy today but did a regen last night. This mornings shower was immediately hot/cold / hot. I got out bypassed the softener back to mains supply and all was good. Missus then had a shower and all good as well so defo water softener. Will have a look over next few days.

The hoses you need are white, for potable water, not red or blue like washing machines.

Cheers, the hoses are white look quite large, will take a proper look.

 

[Exedon]

We always use braided hi flow hoses much better flow.
First thing to check would be to see if there is a filter on inlet hose.

 

[doog442]

Thanks for the replies . As stated no flow problems for many years until recently so I presume the existing pipework / hoses are adequate.

I've literally taken this thing apart. There are no filters on any pipework apart from one (see below). All pipework is free of obstructions.

First thing to note. The bottom of the water / salt container was a good 3 inches of solidified salt which I've broken up and removed.

The device is basically a large self contained resin chamber suspended in a container of salt water / tablets. The only physical link between the two is a narrow pipe which sits at the bottom of the tank and draws the salty water up and into the resin container where I presume the magic happens. This had a mesh filter which I've cleaned. So in effect this was sat in the solidified salt so without doubt was impacting on the performance of the softening aspect but would have no effect on the mains flow in and out of the resin container.

Anyway having been cleaned up and put back the flow is just as pitiful, even worse than before. Online searches would suggest the problem is the resin beads having bonded together in the resin container impeding flow in and out. As its self contained with no access to the resin it looks like is reached the end of if its life.

 

[dilalio]

Thanks for the replies . As stated no flow problems for many years until recently so I presume the existing pipework / hoses are adequate.

I've literally taken this thing apart. There are no filters on any pipework apart from one (see below). All pipework is free of obstructions.

First thing to note. The bottom of the water / salt container was a good 3 inches of solidified salt which I've broken up and removed.

The device is basically a large self contained resin chamber suspended in a container of salt water / tablets. The only physical link between the two is a narrow pipe which sits at the bottom of the tank and draws the salty water up and into the resin container where I presume the magic happens. This had a mesh filter which I've cleaned. So in effect this was sat in the solidified salt so without doubt was impacting on the performance of the softening aspect but would have no effect on the mains flow in and out of the resin container.

Anyway having been cleaned up and put back the flow is just as pitiful, even worse than before. Online searches would suggest the problem is the resin beads having bonded together in the resin container impeding flow in and out. As its self contained with no access to the resin it looks like is reached the end of if its life.

Yep. If all else is clear the softener has done it's lifecycle!
Everything is a filter, even us!

 

[JohnD]

Online searches would suggest the problem is the resin beads having bonded together in the resin container impeding flow in and out. As its self contained with no access to the resin it looks like is reached the end of if its life.

I suppose you could shake the cylinder. This is not something I have experienced. In mine, there is a backflush during each regen that squirts water in at the bottom of the cylinder, and out at the top, circulating the beads and stirring them up to wash out any sediment.

The only age related faults have been the moving parts of the valves seizing with wear and scale. They are pushed by rotating cams in the control head. Mine are Fleck branded control heads. I have had a few. The latest is a Permutit that was reconditioned by a specialist in Essex. Might have been near Abridge.

It is possible to buy new beads by the kg. The control head screws onto the cylinder. If you are going to scrap it I suppose you could try taking it apart. My window cleaner assembled his own from parts.

 

[doog442]

Just a conclusion to the thread.

I replaced it today with latest model (Monarch Midi), immediate pressure and all back to normal. I did a manual regen and voila soft water tonight. In this case I was unable to remove the head unit from the tank (as mentioned above), to replace the resin, it seemed to be glued on rather than screwed on. I did however find a random post from someone who was successful in replacing the resin in this model but then ran into other issues afterwards with the head unit.

I didn't have the time or patience to go any further.

Thanks for the replies and advice and I hope someone finds the thread useful.