Triflow FAQs

As the Triflow system is unique in the world, it is common for customers who are new to Triflow to want to know more about their operation.

This is a selection of some common questions about the Triflow system:

1. What contaminants will the Katadyn filter reduce?
2. Why is it necessary to filter my water supply?
3. What does the filter leave in the water?
4. Will there be a noticeable difference in the quality of water from the filtered supply?
5. How does the Triflow system work?
6. How will I know when I need to change the cartridge?
7. How difficult is it to change the cartridge? 
8. How much space does the system take up?
9. Do Triflow taps require the use of chemicals or electricity?
10. What is the operating pressure of a Triflow system?
11. What is the flow rate from the filtered water supply?
12. What are the minimum and maximum temperatures the system should be subjected to?
13. Can I purchase a Triflow tap without the filter system?
14. Do I need to purchase a separate filter for the water dispenser in my refrigerator or for my instant hot water unit?
15. Will the filter stop my kettle from scaling?
16. How do I clean my Triflow tap?
17. Is my Triflow system guaranteed?
18. Will a Triflow tap fit a sink with a standard sized hole? 


1. What contaminants will the Katadyn filter reduce?

Triflow filter systems reduce a broad range of contaminants from your tap water - microbiological, chemical and aesthetic.

Your Triflow system will remove harmful bacteria, protozoan organisms (such as Giardia and Cryptosporidium), chlorine, foul tastes and odours, certain chemicals, rust particles, sediment and numerous other undesirable contaminants including particles above 0.2 microns (0.0002mm) in size.

The filtering capability of the Triflow filter is excellent, resulting in clean, healthy drinking water that also tastes great.

2. Why is it necessary to filter my water supply?

Safe water is vital for the good health of you and your family, but also for friends and visitors to your home.

While the quality of community water supplies have improved considerably in the last 50 years, these supplies often leave something to be desired both in taste and the prevalence of chemical treatment additives such as chlorine. The majority of complaints received by water supply organisations are due to poor taste or smell.

If your water comes from a mains supply, your water safety is monitored by your local authority (which may give you comfort, depending on the authority). If your water comes from a water collection tank or other source, it is up to you to keep your water safe.

3. What does the filter leave in the water?

While some water treatment products like distillers and reverse osmosis systems remove calcium and other beneficial elements, Triflow systems are designed to reduce only harmful contaminants while leaving essential minerals like calcium and magnesium intact.

Calcium, for example, contributes to the overall taste of drinking water, is important for your bones and teeth, and is essential for various bodily processes such as blood clotting. Your Triflow system will leave these minerals in your water.

4. Will there be a noticeable difference in the quality of water from the filtered supply?

Absolutely. Most people immediately notice a significant difference in the quality of their drinking water when they install a Triflow. Of course, the extent of this difference will depend on the level of contaminants in the tap water supply and individual sensory thresholds.

As the system reduces turbidity and discolouration, people often notice an improvement in the clarity of the treated water also.

To test the difference, pour a glass of Triflow water and another separate glass from the cold tap water supply. Take a gulp of the Triflow water first and consider the taste and smell. Now do the same with the untreated tap water. Notice the difference?

5. How does the Triflow system work?

Triflow, with its groundbreaking internal workings, is the world’s first three-way tap, dispensing not only hot and cold tap water, but also filtered water.
 
Tap water is filtered at point of use and on demand through a high quality Katadyn ceramic filter. With a simple flick of the additional Triflow lever, cold tap water is diverted through an under-bench filter cartridge.

To prevent cross-contamination with the hot and cold tap water, the great tasting filtered water is delivered through a dedicated waterway in the tap’s spout.

The specially designed ceramic filter cartridge (exclusive to Triflow) is produced by world-leading Swiss water treatment company, Katadyn.

The Katadyn FRX02 filter is of the highest quality and removes foreign particles and organisms from the water supply down to a size of only 0.2 microns (0.0002mm).

The filter cartridge is protected under the bench in a sturdy stainless steel housing with braided stainless steel connecting hoses, resulting in a highly durable system that will give many years of trouble free use.

Katadyn recommends that the filter cartridge is replaced every six months to ensure the continued health of your system and the effectiveness of the ceramic core and bacteria killing silver.

6. How will I know when I need to change the cartridge?

Apart from reduced flow strength, there are no outwardly visible signs that will tell you when to change your cartridge, though cartridge replacement is strongly recommended every six months for four main reasons:

1. Through continual use the FRX02’s ceramic and carbon core will inevitably become exhausted and will filter your water less effectively.

2. As the cartridge core becomes exhausted it will clog faster, requiring more frequent cleaning.

3. The bacteria killing properties of the impregnated silver will diminish over time, so that the risk of bacterial influx may increase.

4. Cartridge life is a factor of time as well as use. This means that in situations of intermittent or sporadic use, a cartridge may reach the end of its life prior to the estimated 3500 litre capacity being reached.

Returning the Triflow registration card once your tap is installed will register your details and ensure you receive a six monthly reminder when a cartridge change is due.

Registration will also assist with future customer service and to process any warranty claims you may have over the long life of your system.

7. How difficult is it to change the cartridge?

The procedure for replacing the filter cartridge is very simple and takes only a few minutes. Click here for a step by step guide.

Full instructions on how to change your cartridge are also supplied with each Triflow tap when shipped, and are included with every replacement cartridge ordered.

For further details on the Triflow filter system click here.

8. How much space does the system take up?

Apart from the Triflow tap, which is a tap fitting of normal size, the filtration unit is a cylinder only 31cm long which takes up little space under the sink.

9. Do Triflow taps require the use of chemicals or electricity?

No. The Triflow system has been designed to work from mains water pressure without the assistance of any pumps or other electrical system and does not require the use of any chemicals whatsoever.*

*Note that the exclusive Kitchen and Bathroom Triflow taps by Zaha Hadid do require an electrical connection.

10. What is the operating pressure of a Triflow system?

The Triflow system works on normal mains water pressure. The maximum pressure for the system is 75psi (5 bar). The minimum recommended pressure is 25psi (1.7 bar). A pump will be required to deal with very low pressure situations and pressure limiting valves can be supplied for people experiencing a higher than average pressure.

11. What is the flow rate from the filtered water supply?

With normal water pressure, the flow rate of the filtered water supply is usually 1 ½ to 2 litres/min. For optimum performance you can adjust the service valve to set the flow rate.

12. What are the minimum and maximum temperatures the system should be subjected to?

The filter should never be subjected to freezing as this can damage the structure of the matrix core and the hose connections. Damage can also occur if the filter is subjected to very hot water, although cold water could be passed through it to a subsequent instant hot unit down the line.

For the Triflow tap body itself, the recommended maximum temperature of the hot water supply for Chrome, Nickel, Pewter and Gold finishes is 85º Celsius. For the English Bronze finish, the maximum recommended temperature is 65º Celsius.

13. Can I purchase a Triflow tap without the filter system? 

Triflow taps have been designed as a complete system with the filtration system as an integral part. The tap is therefore not available for purchase without the under-bench filtration unit.

You may however choose not to install the filter and use the third lever and discrete waterway for your rain water or other unique water supply.

14. Do I need to purchase a separate filter for the water dispenser in my refrigerator or for my instant hot water unit?

Possibly not (subject to a discussion with your plumber). A special fixing kit incorporating a tee piece can be installed by your plumber thereby allowing multiple supplies of filtered water to be drawn off from a single unit. These are not supplied with your Triflow tap and would therefore need to be separately sourced.

15. Will the filter stop my kettle from scaling?

Triflow systems do not soften water.

Calcium and magnesium, which are the most common cause of scaling, are important for your health and are not removed by the Triflow filter.

16. How do I clean my Triflow tap?

While the finishes on Triflow taps are more than twice the industry standard thickness, care should of course still be taken not to damage the tap’s finish. To clean the tap, all that is required is a gentle wipe with a soft, soapy cloth. You should not under any circumstances use abrasive liquids, powders or scouring pads to clean the tap.

If you wish to very occasionally give your Chrome, Nickel, Pewter or bare brass tap a more serious polish, we recommend the use of a gentle metal polish like Autosol, which is available from most hardware stores.

DO NOT use any metal polish on Gold or English Bronze finishes.

17. Is my Triflow system guaranteed?

Yes. In the unlikely event that your Triflow suffers from a fault, the system is covered for five years for defects in materials and workmanship when installed and operated in accordance with our instructions.

A registration card is enclosed with each tap giving full details of the product warranty.

The filter cartridge life will depend on influent water quality, pressure and overall usage and is not therefore covered by this warranty. Please let us know, however, if you experience irregularities with your filter.

18. Will a Triflow tap fit a sink with a standard sized hole?

Yes. Triflow taps fit to a standard 35mm diameter hole. If a spray rinse model is selected, an additional hole of 30mm in diameter will be required.