New Water Filter System Causing Limescale Damage - What is my legal position?

We discovered a few months ago that our water was acidic and corroding the copper fittings of our plumbing. We tested the water and the water was perfect except for the very low pH.

We installed a calcium based filter system to treat the problem, preferring it to the more common chemical based systems. My only concern before the installation was that the presence of Calcium would cause problems with limescale, and I questioned the company about that, but was assured that there would not be a problem.

About six weeks after installation I noticed the flow of hot water from our combi-boiler was decreasing. Within two weeks the flow had dropped to a trickle.

I opened the back of the plate heat exchanger on our boiler, presuming there might have been a slight blockage in the filter there, and was horrified to discover that there was a massive build-up of limescale on the pipes, filter and PHE. We've noticed scale on our dishwasher elements too.

I've had to buy a new PHE - €165

There was absolutely no problem with limescale previous to this, and I have two sets of lab reports to prove it.

So far as I can see I have two options. One is to demand that the filter be removed and money refunded, the other is to insist that a limescale filter be installed after the original filter free of charge to rectify the problem.

Would appreciate any feedback.

Hi JtL,

How much did your pH correction unit cost? Did you get quotations from a number of reputable water treatment specialists? Did you ask for or get a years guarantee? How long elapsed between the system being installed and your noticing of the limescale build up? Did you take a sample after the system was installed? Did you get operating instructions? Do you have a service agreement with the supplier?

aj

How much did your pH correction unit cost? - €1,100

Did you get quotations from a number of reputable water treatment specialists? Yes

Did you ask for or get a years guarantee? No

How long elapsed between the system being installed and your noticing of the limescale build up? 6 - 8 weeks

Did you take a sample after the system was installed? Yes 48 hours later... pH was restored

Did you get operating instructions? Yes... just check calcium filtrate regularly & refill every 18 months.

Do you have a service agreement with the supplier? No