Frequently Asked Questions

Office hours are Monday–Friday 09:00–12:00 & 13:00–16:00, and Saturday 09:00–13:00.

Sales and installation of water softeners and drinking water systems, servicing/repairs, plus salt collection and delivery for both residential and commercial customers.

Yes—please book a free survey. We assess hardness/pressure, stop-cock/pipework, drainage/overflow, and which taps stay unsoftened, then provide a tailored plan and quote.

Typical water softener installations take about half a day; water is off for roughly 2–3 hours. The installer confirms the plan, keeps things tidy and commissions the system with a handover.

We offer ongoing support for the lifetime of your machine and service all types of softeners; health checks and call-outs are available even if we didn't install your unit.

You can order by phone or online. Deliveries typically arrive within 1–2 weeks; salt can also be collected six days a week from our office.

We specialise in non-electric softeners and supply Infinity, Harvey, TwinTec and Kinetico; you'll also see partner brands like Quooker and Aquamatic across our site.

Yes. We work with developers, kitchen/bath retailers and other partners, providing installations plus dependable aftercare for shared customers.

We offer a disconnect, store and re-install service: remove and cap off at your current home, store and health-check the unit, survey the new home, then reinstall.

Call 01202 828 241, email info@southernsoftflow.co.uk, or use the website contact form.

Yes. We carry out health checks, servicing and repairs on most makes and models—even if installed by someone else.

New scale stops forming immediately. Existing marks (kettles, shower glass) start to soften and clean away over days to weeks; deeper boiler/cylinder deposits reduce gradually with normal use.

It's perfect for bathing, laundry and appliances. For drinking/cooking, we leave an unsoftened tap (or offer RO). Use the unsoftened tap for houseplants, fish tanks and certain baby-formula guidance.

New scale stops forming immediately. Existing marks (kettles, shower glass) start to soften and clean away over days to weeks; deeper boiler/cylinder deposits reduce gradually with normal use.

It's perfect for bathing, laundry and appliances. For drinking/cooking, we leave an unsoftened tap (or offer RO). Use the unsoftened tap for houseplants, fish tanks and certain baby-formula guidance.

We size the system during a free home survey based on water hardness, peak flow (showers/taps running together), household size, and available installation space—so you get the right capacity without overspending.

Common locations are under the kitchen sink or in a utility cupboard. Garage or outbuilding installs are also possible with proper frost protection. We'll agree the neatest route for drain, overflow and a bypass.

Yes. As standard we keep at least one cold tap (usually the kitchen) on unsoftened water. If you'd like ultra-low-TDS drinking water, we can pair the softener with a reverse-osmosis tap.

We fit an isolating bypass set, connect to the mains cold feed and a compliant drain/overflow, commission the unit, and show you how to add salt. Most installs are finished in half a day with water off for only part of that time.

Running costs are mainly salt and an optional annual health check/service. Salt usage depends on your water hardness and household use; we can estimate this on the survey and arrange delivery or collection.

Use high-purity softener salt (tablet/block, depending on the model). We stock the correct types and can deliver or arrange collection from our premises.

Our most popular non-electric models continue to work without power and regenerate by water flow. All installs include a manual bypass, so you can isolate the unit easily when needed (e.g., extended holidays or maintenance).

Yes. We carry out health checks, servicing and repairs on most makes and models—even if installed by someone else.

New scale stops forming immediately. Existing marks (kettles, shower glass) start to soften and clean away over days to weeks; deeper boiler/cylinder deposits reduce gradually with normal use.

Running costs are mainly salt and an optional annual health check/service. Salt usage depends on your water hardness and household use; we can estimate this on the survey and arrange delivery or collection.

Use high-purity softener salt (tablet/block, depending on the model). We stock the correct types and can deliver or arrange collection from our premises.

Our most popular non-electric models continue to work without power and regenerate by water flow. All installs include a manual bypass, so you can isolate the unit easily when needed (e.g., extended holidays or maintenance).

Yes—Southern Softflow supplies and fits replacement cartridges. Most households need an annual service for pre/post filters; membrane changes are less frequent. You'll get reminders and options for delivery or a service visit.

We offer ongoing support for the lifetime of your machine and service all types of softeners; health checks and call-outs are available even if we didn't install your unit.

We specialise in non-electric softeners and supply Infinity, Harvey, TwinTec and Kinetico; you'll also see partner brands like Quooker and Aquamatic across our site.

Yes. We work with developers, kitchen/bath retailers and other partners, providing installations plus dependable aftercare for shared customers.

We offer a disconnect, store and re-install service: remove and cap off at your current home, store and health-check the unit, survey the new home, then reinstall.

Call 01202 828 241, email info@southernsoftflow.co.uk, or use the website contact form.

Yes. We carry out health checks, servicing and repairs on most makes and models—even if installed by someone else.

New scale stops forming immediately. Existing marks (kettles, shower glass) start to soften and clean away over days to weeks; deeper boiler/cylinder deposits reduce gradually with normal use.

It's perfect for bathing, laundry and appliances. For drinking/cooking, we leave an unsoftened tap (or offer RO). Use the unsoftened tap for houseplants, fish tanks and certain baby-formula guidance.

We size the system during a free home survey based on water hardness, peak flow (showers/taps running together), household size, and available installation space—so you get the right capacity without overspending.

Common locations are under the kitchen sink or in a utility cupboard. Garage or outbuilding installs are also possible with proper frost protection. We'll agree the neatest route for drain, overflow and a bypass.

Yes. As standard we keep at least one cold tap (usually the kitchen) on unsoftened water. If you'd like ultra-low-TDS drinking water, we can pair the softener with a reverse-osmosis tap.

We fit an isolating bypass set, connect to the mains cold feed and a compliant drain/overflow, commission the unit, and show you how to add salt. Most installs are finished in half a day with water off for only part of that time.

Running costs are mainly salt and an optional annual health check/service. Salt usage depends on your water hardness and household use; we can estimate this on the survey and arrange delivery or collection.

Use high-purity softener salt (tablet/block, depending on the model). We stock the correct types and can deliver or arrange collection from our premises.

Our most popular non-electric models continue to work without power and regenerate by water flow. All installs include a manual bypass, so you can isolate the unit easily when needed (e.g., extended holidays or maintenance).

If you live in a hard-water area, pairing an RO with a softener is ideal. Softening protects the RO membrane from limescale, extends service life and helps the system run more efficiently. Southern Softflow can advise on the best setup during a home survey.

Reverse osmosis (RO) is a multi-stage filtration process that pushes water through an ultra-fine membrane to reduce dissolved salts, metals and other impurities, delivering very low-TDS drinking water from a dedicated tap.

If you live in a hard-water area, pairing an RO with a softener is ideal. Softening protects the RO membrane from limescale, extends service life and helps the system run more efficiently. Southern Softflow can advise on the best setup during a home survey.

Most go under the kitchen sink with a small, dedicated drinking-water tap. Depending on space and access, installation can also be in a utility cupboard or adjacent cabinet, with a neat route to drain and the cold feed.

RO systems use several cartridges (pre-filters, the RO membrane and a polishing/post filter). Pre-filters are typically replaced every 6–12 months, the membrane every 2–5 years, and the post filter annually—actual intervals depend on your water quality and usage. Southern Softflow can set a service schedule for you.

RO creates a small concentrate stream that goes to drain as it purifies. Modern units are far more efficient than older models. During a survey, Southern Softflow can estimate likely ratios for your home and make sure the drain connection is compliant and tidy.

Often, yes. Many fridges, ice makers and certain boiling/filter taps can be fed from an RO line. Southern Softflow will confirm compatibility and run discrete pipework during installation.

RO requires adequate mains pressure and a bit of under-sink space for the cartridges (and, where applicable, a small storage tank). The survey checks pressure, flow, drainage and layout so the install is seamless.

Most RO installs are completed in a single visit (often under half a day), with minimal disruption. You'll get a pre-install confirmation, tidy routing to drain, commissioning, and a full handover on using your new drinking-water tap.

Use high-purity softener salt (tablet/block, depending on the model). We stock the correct types and can deliver or arrange collection from our premises.