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Sentinel KalGUARD

Professional Water Conditioner Installation and Supply Services
Based in Andover, we provide professional installation and supply of water conditioners and scale inhibitors across Hampshire, Berkshire, and Wiltshire. Our expert services help prevent costly limescale build-up and damaging pinhole leaks in commercial properties including hotels, care homes, restaurants, healthcare facilities, and manufacturing premises. Specialising in advanced electrolytic scale inhibition technology, we offer comprehensive water treatment solutions that protect your valuable equipment, reduce maintenance costs, and improve operational efficiency. Our experienced engineers serve clients throughout Winchester, Basingstoke, Newbury, Salisbury, and all surrounding areas, delivering reliable water conditioning systems that provide long-term protection against hard water damage. Whether you're experiencing recurring plumbing issues, equipment failures due to limescale, or want to prevent future, costly repairs, our water conditioners offer a proven, environmentally friendly solution with minimal ongoing maintenance requirements. From initial consultation and system sizing to professional installation and aftercare support, we ensure your water treatment system delivers optimal performance and maximum return on investment.

The KalGUARD limescale prevention system provides permanent treatment and is made up of several components:
 

  • KalGUARD anode: electrolytic component which delivers technology for limescale prevention

  • Wall mounted controller: can be wired into a site BMS if required to provide alarm functionality

  • Water meter: controls operating functions of the KalGUARD system and ensures maximum life expectancy

  • Inline filter: (optional) removes suspended solids/dust. 25/55 µm Water Filter. Filtration of incoming mains water to. ≤55µm is recommended to ensure optimum performance of the equipment.

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Question: Is the Sentinel Kalguard a Water Softenor?
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No, Sentinel KalGUARD is not a traditional water softener.
 
It's important to understand the distinction:

  • Traditional Water Softeners: These devices remove the calcium and magnesium ions that cause hard water through a process called ion exchange, typically using salt. This effectively "softens" the water.

  • Sentinel KalGUARD: This is an electrolytic scale inhibitor or water conditioner. Instead of removing the hardness minerals, it changes their crystalline structure. It uses a zinc anode and a copper cathode to introduce a very low level of stable zinc into the water. This forces the naturally occurring calcium carbonate crystals (which form hard limescale) to convert into a soft, non-adhering form called aragonite. Aragonite doesn't stick to surfaces and instead flows through the system with the water, preventing limescale buildup.
     

Key differences and advantages of KalGUARD over traditional softeners:

  • No Salt Required: KalGUARD does not use salt for regeneration, eliminating the need for salt replenishment, storage, and the associated maintenance.

  • No Waste Water: Traditional softeners produce wastewater during their regeneration cycles. KalGUARD does not.

  • Water Remains Potable: Because it doesn't add significant amounts of sodium, water treated by KalGUARD remains potable (safe for drinking and food preparation), which can be a major advantage in commercial kitchens, hotels, and hospitals.

  • Low Maintenance: It has very low maintenance requirements, with the zinc anode lasting for many years (6-12 years or more) and requiring only periodic filter flushing.

  • Environmentally Friendly: No chemicals, no salt, no wastewater.

  • Independently Proven: Sentinel states that its technology has been independently proven to reduce limescale formation (e.g., at Cranfield University) and is recommended in the UK Building Regulations Part L Building Services Compliance Guide.


While both aim to prevent the problems caused by hard water (specifically limescale), they achieve this through fundamentally different mechanisms. KalGUARD conditions the water to prevent scale, rather than softening it by removing minerals.
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Pin Hole Leaks

The Extreme Aggression of Untreated Water: A Case Study in Erosion and Costly Disruptions
The consequences of decades of untreated water were starkly evident in a 2-inch (54mm) Brass Non-Return Valve removed from a local care home in Andover. This facility had been experiencing regular flooding and water cascades through ceilings, all directly attributable to 40 years of poor water treatment.
This particular valve serves as a powerful testament to the sheer destructive power of aggressive water. Despite its thicker wall construction compared to standard copper pipework, this robust brass fitting was severely compromised. It's an extreme example of how incredibly corrosive and erosive untreated water can be, literally "ripping through" even durable brass.
This relentless internal wear was simultaneously causing pinhole leaks to appear across all copper pipework (15mm to 54mm diameters). Each leak meant crucial heating, hot water, and cold water feed pipes had to be shut off, drained, and repaired, leaving large sections of the care home without essential services during disruptive downtimes. This incident powerfully highlights how neglected water quality can destroy resilient fittings and cascade into significant operational challenges and costly emergencies.

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Limescale

The Hidden Cost of Limescale: Inside Your Hot Water System
 
It wasn't just the pipes suffering; the heart of the care home's hot water system, the calorifier (or hot water tank), was also severely impacted. We found the inside of its torpedo-shaped tanks coated in a thick, insulating layer of hard limescale. This wasn't just a minor issue; it was essentially wrapping the tanks in a blanket of rock, making them extremely inefficient. The result? Excessively long heat-up times, wasted energy, and a system struggling to meet hot water demand.

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Fit and Forget Solution

Sentinel KalGUARD®
Proven electrolytic scale inhibitor for commercial hot water systems
To reduce the effect of limescale in hard water areas, incoming mains water should be fitted with a water treatment system utilising a zinc sacrificial anode with unique electronic control. Straight forward to install, Sentinel KalGUARD controls limescale and should be sized, supplied and commissioned by Sentinel Performance Solutions Ltd. or an approved Sentinel trained engineer.
• Sized according to demand, not pipe diameter
Delivers value engineering and subsequent cost savings
• Single unit per building
Simplifies design and installation, and minimises number of units required per site, saving on installation costs and design time
• Positioned on incoming main
Non LSI-dependent unit allows strategic installation for value engineering and subsequent cost savings
• Permanent treatment
Treated water can be stored for any length of time, providing surety of scale control to protect asset value and system performance
• No ongoing costs
Delivers ROI within approximately 12 months if replacing water softener technology, since there is no salt, no regen water waste to manage, plus no requirement to manage salt replacements or storage
• Independently proven technology
Independent testing supports product performance in the control of limescale build-up
• Trusted by national clients for 10+ years
Holds sole specification across estates with major clients in food retail, leisure / gyms, restaurants, hotels, education, and other sectors

Here are the types of commercial properties that will most benefit from water conditioners, especially in a hard water area like Hampshire:
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  • Hotels and Hospitality:
    • Guest experience: Soft water prevents soap scum in showers and bathtubs, leading to a more pleasant experience for guests. It also makes laundry (towels, bedding) softer and more absorbent, and prevents spots on glassware and dishes.
    • Equipment longevity: Protects boilers, hot water heaters, dishwashers, washing machines, and ice machines from limescale damage.
    • Reduced cleaning: Less limescale buildup means less time and fewer chemicals spent on cleaning surfaces, fixtures, and appliances.
  • Restaurants and Food Service:
    • Dishwashers and glasswashers: Hard water causes spots and streaks on dishes and glassware, making them look unclean. Softeners ensure sparkling results and extend the life of these expensive appliances.
    • Coffee machines and ice makers: Limescale can clog internal components, leading to breakdowns and affecting the taste of beverages.
    • Boilers and steamers: Protects equipment used for cooking and hot water generation from efficiency loss and damage.
    • Improved taste: Soft water can lead to better-tasting coffee, tea, and other beverages.
  • Healthcare Facilities (Hospitals, Clinics, Care Homes):
    • Sterilisation and medical equipment: Crucial for maintaining the efficiency and lifespan of sterilisers, autoclaves, and other sensitive medical devices that rely on water. Limescale can compromise hygiene and performance.
    • Laundry: Ensures linens and uniforms are clean, soft, and free of mineral buildup.
    • HVAC and cooling systems: Prevents limescale buildup in cooling towers and heating systems, which can reduce efficiency and lead to costly repairs.
  • Manufacturing and Industrial Facilities:
    • Boilers and cooling towers: These are often the largest consumers of water in industrial settings, and hard water can cause severe scaling, leading to reduced heat transfer efficiency, increased energy consumption, and equipment failure.
    • Process water: Many industries require specific water quality for their processes, and soft water can prevent issues with product quality or equipment damage.
    • Cleaning and sanitation: Improves the effectiveness of cleaning agents and reduces the formation of mineral deposits on surfaces and equipment.
  • Commercial Laundries and Dry Cleaners:
    • Reduced detergent use: Soft water lathers more effectively, meaning less detergent is needed to achieve clean results.
    • Fabric longevity: Prevents mineral buildup on fabrics, keeping them softer and extending their lifespan.
    • Equipment protection: Protects industrial washing machines and boilers from limescale.
  • Hair Salons and Spas:
    • Hair and skin care: Soft water is better for hair and skin, as it allows shampoos and soaps to lather more effectively and rinse out completely, leaving no residue.
    • Equipment: Protects hot water heaters and other water-using equipment.
  • Fitness Centers and Leisure Facilities (especially with pools/showers):
    • Showers and changing rooms: Prevents limescale buildup on showerheads, tiles, and fixtures.
    • Pools and spas: While not directly for the pool water itself (which is chemically treated), softeners can protect the heating and filtration systems associated with them.

Why Water Conditioners are crucial in hard water areas:
The primary reason these properties need water softeners is to combat limescale buildup. Hard water contains high levels of dissolved calcium and magnesium minerals. When this water is heated or evaporates, these minerals precipitate out, forming hard, chalky deposits (limescale) on surfaces and inside pipes and equipment.
 
Limescale leads to:
  • Reduced energy efficiency: Limescale acts as an insulator, making water heaters, boilers, and other heating elements work harder to heat water, increasing energy bills.
  • Shorter equipment lifespan: Limescale clogs pipes, reduces flow rates, and damages internal components of water-using appliances, leading to costly repairs and premature replacement.
  • Increased maintenance costs: More frequent cleaning and descaling are required without softened water.
  • Subpar results: Spotty dishes, stiff laundry, and compromised product quality in some industries.

Given Hampshire's "very hard" water, installing a commercial water conditioner will be a very sound investment for any of these types of properties to save on energy, extend equipment life, and improve overall operational efficiency and customer satisfaction.
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Protecting Your Property:
Understanding Common Plumbing Issues in Commercial Buildings
 
For businesses such as Hotels, Care Homes, large offices, Schools, Hospitals, Leisure and Sports facilities, reliable plumbing isn't just a convenience – it's a necessity. When unexpected issues like pinhole leaks repeatedly plague your water systems, it can lead to costly disruptions, repairs, and even potential damage. But what causes these persistent problems in properties that have stood for decades?
One common scenario we encounter, particularly in buildings 40 years old or more, involves a combination of factors related to water quality and pipe longevity. Let's explore the key culprits:
 
The "Sandblasting" Effect: Unfiltered Water & High Flow Rates
 
Imagine tiny, abrasive particles constantly scouring the inside of your pipes. This is essentially what happens when water isn't adequately filtered. Even particles as small as 50 microns (thinner than a human hair!) can become destructive at high flow rates.
In busy commercial environments with fluctuating demand – like peak times in a care home, school, or hospital – water can surge through pipes at velocities that transform these microscopic particles into mini "sandblasters." This erosion corrosion wears down the protective internal layers of copper pipes and brass fittings, leaving them vulnerable. Over time, this leads to weakened spots and, eventually, those frustrating pinhole leaks.
 
The Hidden Threat of Limescale: More Than Just an Annoyance
 
While limescale (hard water deposits) is often associated with aesthetic issues on taps and fixtures, its impact inside your pipework can be far more serious. When left unchecked by limescale inhibitors or prevention methods, hard water can contribute significantly to plumbing failures:
  • Pitting Corrosion: Limescale doesn't always form a smooth, protective layer. Instead, it can create uneven deposits that lead to localized areas of intense corrosion. This process, known as pitting, can silently eat away at the pipe material beneath or around the scale, leading to concentrated damage and eventual leaks.
  • Reduced Efficiency & Increased Wear: Significant limescale buildup can narrow the internal diameter of pipes. To maintain water pressure and flow, your pumps may work harder, increasing water velocity. This heightened speed then amplifies the "sandblasting" effect from any unfiltered particles, creating a destructive cycle.
 
Age and Aggression: A Combination for Leaks
 
While copper and brass are durable materials, they aren't invincible. After 40 years of continuous service, even well-installed plumbing systems can show signs of wear, especially when exposed to aggressive water conditions. The cumulative effect of unfiltered particles and untreated hard water significantly shortens the lifespan of your pipework, making recurrent leaks an almost inevitable consequence.
 
Is Your Property at Risk?
 
If your commercial property experiences recurring pinhole leaks or other unexplained plumbing issues, it's crucial to investigate the root causes. Understanding factors like your water quality, filtration effectiveness, and the age of your system can help you implement targeted solutions to protect your investment and ensure a reliable water supply for your operations.
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