Last month the City of Tampa and much of Hillsborough County communities was under a boil water notice because a contractor hit a water main break. Water was gushing everywhere and many businesses throughout the area were forced to close down. Even worse, residents throughout the region were unable to drink or cook with the water from their tap. Unfortunately, this is not all that uncommon.
When the professionals at Cass Plumbing install a whole house water filtration systems, they are installed on a home’s main water supply. These are basically used to process all water which enters the house. Before you plan to buy a whole house water filtration system, ask yourself a few questions.
We at Cass Plumbing picked up the top 10 questions and answers about the whole house water filtration system which need to be addressed. Hope these help you in making your decision.
1. DO I NEED A WHOLE HOUSE WATER FILTRATION SYSTEM?
A whole home water purifier is required when there is a lot of sediment problem. It is installed on a home’s main water supply. It processes the complete water system which comes into the house and used for all purposes such as cooking, laundry, toilets, etc. Sediments are small particles of sand which can damage all the taps including drinking water. They also get deposited in the water heaters which can eventually harm them. Moreover, if there is a concern of some kind of odor in the water, complete water supply of the house should be filtered. Having a whole home water filtration system is a good option to prevent radioactive materials.
2. WHAT SHOULD BE THE WATER FLOW RATE?
All the water filters have a tendency to restrict water flow. Hence, it is important to understand the pressure. The flow rate will depend on the use of the water. The drinking water taps can usually have a maximum flow rate of ½ gallons per minute. However, if we talk about the entire house, approximately, 15 gallons per minute can flow through more than one taps. The flow rate can be calculated based on your incoming pipe size and the volume of water supply.
If an inappropriate filter installed can restrict water supply and it can so happen that two taps cannot give water flow at the same time.
3. WHAT IS THE CLEANLINESS LEVEL WHEN IT COMES TO THE WATER SUPPLY?
When we talk about groundwater, there are certain problems which pop-up. They are – odor, chlorine, sediment, unwanted minerals, and unwanted contaminants. A test of your tap water is required to understand the amount and variety of contaminants present in the water. This will give a clear picture of what type of filter you would need for the water supply. Some of these variants can be observed at home. If there are stains in the bathroom units, it means your water contains iron and minerals. Chlorine and a different kind of smell in the water can be easily noticed.
A home water filter should be able to remove the sediments and other contaminants. Some harmful minerals could also be a concern, with no leaving behind the odor and taste of the water.
4. HOW MUCH SHOULD ONE SPEND ON A WHOLE HOUSE WATER FILTRATION SYSTEM?
A whole house water purifying system can range from 1,200$-10,000$. The installation charges would add up to this amount as this system needs to be installed with the main water supply of the house. Moreover, as the system filters water for the entire house, the cartridges would need periodic replacement.
5. WILL THIS WATER FILTER TAKE CARE OF THE TASTE AND ODOR PROBLEM IN WATER?
YES! There is an activated carbon filter in the purification system. This helps to remove the contaminants which are responsible for odor and taste of the water. Carbon leaves the water clean and pure. They last twice as long as sediments filters, but you would need to replace them on a regular basis. They cannot be cleaned. However, keeping in mind that a sediment filter should be installed before a carbon filter will surely enhance the lifespan of the latter.
6. WILL THIS FILTER SYSTEM REMOVE SEDIMENT AND KEEP AWAY BACTERIA?
YES! There is a sediment filter in the system which removes the sediments from water. The whole house water purifying system also contains carbon filters with zinc and copper integrated into it. They keep away bacteria to grow inside the filter. Usually, chlorine does this work. But if you wish to remove maximum chlorine from the water, you would need this filter which would help your system stay away from bacteria growth.
7. WHEN SHOULD THE CARTRIDGE BE CHANGED?
The system indicates that the filters need replacement. Keep a note when the flow rate reduces and the taste of water changes. The flow rate is disturbed due to excess of sediment deposit. Hence, it is time to change the sediment filter. And, when the carbon filter loses its efficacy, the taste and odor of the water changes. It’s time for you to change the carbon filter.
8. WHY DOES THE COLOR OF THE WATER CHANGE AFTER CHANGING THE CARBON FILTER?
The water-color may change when you replace the carbon filter. This is due to carbon dust being chased out from the new filter. Letting a few gallons of water flow away will solve this problem. It does not reoccur; only happens with new carbon filter cartridges.
9. WHAT ARE DOUBLE-CANISTER FILTERS?
A double canister water filter is a package of two filters, where one is used to remove sediment and the other enhances the taste and odor of the water. One filter can perform both the tasks. However, it is always recommended to use two separate filters here. Hence, double canister filters are used. These filters also increase the flow rate.
10. HOW EFFECTIVE IS A WHOLE HOUSE WATER FILTRATION SYSTEM?
A high-end whole house water purifier can do the work at its best. Select the one which suits best according to your water supply. It can remove contaminants and sediments at the point of entry into the house. The whole house water system can filter water for cooking, washing, drinking, and toilet purposes. This system can also remove sulfur from the water.
If you are still confused about installing a whole house water purifying system, get a thorough check of your water supply and see what should be removed from your water to make it clean and pure. For more details, CALL US NOW!
When you need a good plumber in Tampa, for your whole house water filtration needs give us a call. Cass Plumbing has thousands of 5 star reviews online, is ranked #1 by Best Plumbers for the Tampa Bay region and has earned an A+ rating by the Tampa Bay Better Business Bureau. Get in touch today with us today at (813) 265-9200.
