Water Filter Installation
Clean and safe water is essential for your household’s health. At Trio Heating, Air & Plumbing, our professional water filter installation will enhance your water quality, whether you’re dealing with hard water, mineral-heavy tastes, contaminants, or other concerns. Read below to learn more about choosing the right whole-house water filtration system for your Bay Area home.
What Are the Different Types of Water Filtration Systems Available for Home Installation?
Each water filtration system works differently; some have distinctly separate applications. Understanding the types of water filtration systems available is essential for selecting the right option for your home. See below for common systems and how they work.
Mechanical filters
Mechanical filters are available in various sizes and mesh densities, and they remove sand, clay, rust, silt, and other organic matter particles from water. They’re typically made of fabric, ceramic, or fiber and are often used as a pre-filtering method in conjunction with other filtration methods.
Activated carbon filters
These filters use activated carbon to draw chlorine, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and other pollutants from water. Although unable to remove bacteria, calcium, magnesium, and fluorides, carbon filters are cost-effective and help improve the taste and smell of your water. They are versatile and common in both point-of-use and whole-house systems.
Reverse osmosis systems
Reverse osmosis water filter installations use a semipermeable membrane to filter a wide range of contaminants, including heavy metals, salts, and microorganisms. Capable of removing ion-sized impurities, reverse osmosis systems can remove most contaminants and may improve water taste and softness. Given the slower filtering process, they’re typically reserved for point-of-use applications rather than whole-home use.
Oxidizing filters
Oxidizing filters are whole-home water filter devices that use a variety of materials, such as zeolite, silicon dioxide, or resin. Oxidizing filters are a good alternative to water softeners in some scenarios — they treat water by converting iron, manganese, and hydrogen sulfide to solid particles and then filtering them out.
Neutralizing filters
Neutralizing filters are designed to treat water acidity. They add calcite or other alkaline materials to water to adjust pH levels. Neutralizing the water reduces piping corrosion, therefore minimizing copper, nickel, lead, and other corrosion byproducts.
Sediment filters
Sediment filters are designed specifically to remove sand, silt, rust, and other solid particles from water. Usually installed at wells and water supply lines, these filters use either pleated filters, multi-layered fibers, or other media to prevent sediment from entering your system and damaging plumbing equipment and fixtures.
Ultraviolet filters
Ultraviolet water purification systems sanitize water using ultraviolet light. As water passes through a chamber, the ultraviolet light emits a germicidal wavelength that destroys microorganisms. They don’t remove particles, but they reduce threats from bacteria and viruses.
Ion exchange filters
Ion exchange filters swap soft water ions, such as sodium, with hard water ions in the water. As such, many homes use ion exchange filters as a water-softening treatment. These filters don’t remove other contaminants, such as organic material, particles, or bacteria.
Is It Worth Installing a Whole-House Water Filtration System?
A whole-house water filtration system offers numerous advantages that enhance the quality of your home’s water. Benefits of whole-house water filtration systems include:
Comprehensive protection: By removing contaminants that pose health risks, such as chlorine and VOCs, whole-house systems provide clean water throughout your home.
Improved water taste: Whole-house systems remove various impurities associated with unpleasant tastes and odors.
Reduced wear on appliances: By softening water and reducing sediment and scale buildup, some filters can limit strain and extend the lifespan of washing machines, dishwashers, and other fixtures or equipment.
Softer water: Softening water reduces streaks or stains often left on dishes after washing with hard water. Filters may also keep your clothes in better condition and improve the health of hair and skin.
How Long Does It Take to Install a Water Filtration System?
Water filtration system installation usually takes less than a day, but the exact timeline depends on the system’s complexity, your home’s plumbing, and the water supply conditions. In general, complex systems or hard water add to the total installation time.
Point-of-use systems are more straightforward to install compared to whole-home systems. Under-sink water filters and other designs connect to specific water fixtures, so installation usually involves minimal disruption.
Whole-home system installations require plumbers to configure the filter in line with the existing plumbing line. This typically involves removing piping sections, adding valves or other equipment, soldering and reattaching the fittings, and other installation and testing steps.
Can a Water Filtration System Remove Harmful Contaminants from My Water?
Water filtration systems target different physical, chemical, biological, and radiological contaminants depending on the filter type. Your licensed plumber can assess your water quality and treatment needs to determine the right system configuration, which may use multiple filter types, for your home. Across different types, water filtration systems remove these contaminants from your water:
- Chlorine
- Heavy metals
- Pesticides and herbicides
- Bacteria
- Microplastics
What Is the Difference Between a Point-of-Use and a Whole-House Water Filter?
Point-of-use water filtration systems target specific fixtures and other sources, commonly at kitchen sinks where you’re most likely to use water for cooking or drinking. Some are installed under the sink, while others are mounted on the faucet. These systems are ideal for addressing specific contaminants and require minimal plumbing modifications, making them an affordable water filter installation option for specific concerns. Each system requires regular filter changes to maintain efficacy.
Installed where water enters your home, whole-house filtration systems are a comprehensive option that treats water before it travels to fixtures or other various outlets. These systems may use a combination of filters to target a broader range of contaminants and other concerns and improve overall water quality at every source. This type of water filtration installation costs more than point-of-use since it requires more involved plumbing modifications but offers the benefit of less frequent maintenance.
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