Types of Home Water Filters
We’re lucky that 85% of our Sacramento water supply comes from area rivers. The Sacramento County Water Agency checks our water hundreds of times each day to ensure that it meets all city/state standards for quality and consumption. It is processed at treatment plants then held in reservoirs before traveling through the Sacramento plumbing pipes and out of our taps at home. Well water should be tested it regularly to ensure it meets city standards.
Although regular household water water may be safe for drinking, you may have a problem with taste, smell, or staining of fixtures like sinks and bathtubs. Well water often causes more health concerns because it isn’t run through a treatment plant first. Installing a home water filter system, DIY or by a Sacramento plumbing professional, will eliminate these problems.
Prior to installing a home water filter, evaluate the problem you’re correcting — Consumer Reports helps you select the right filter for your home. Here’s a few types and the problems that they solve:
Carbon and charcoal filtration systems absorb harmful contaminants and odor. A carbon filter improves the taste of water from municipal water supplies that contain traces of chlorine. If you get your water from a well, you may have concerns about bacteria or water that smells like rotten eggs due to the high sulfur content of some wells; installing a carbon filter will usually eliminate this problem; more severe cases may require you to contact a Sacramento plumber to install a chlorination feeder system. A charcoal filter can help reduce rust stains in bathtubs or sinks.
Under-sink water purifiers are primarily for drinking water and usually connected to the cold water line inside your kitchen sink cabinet. To install this, contact a Sacramento plumber or do it yourself according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Be sure to note how often the filter requires changing.
Small carafes or fridge filters are options for your home depending on amount of water that you drink and budget. A small carafe like a Brita needs constant refilling but a new fridge may be a little more than you’re willing to invest!
Whole house water filters are capable of treating all water in your home when connected to the main supply line. If you only want to filter hot or cold water, install the filter to the appropriate hot or cold water pipe connected to your homes water heater. Although the DIY plumbing tips contained in this article can help any novice, you will need the right tools for the job. Most filters come with compression fittings and directions for installation.
Water Ionizers are not filters and use an electrical charge to ionize the water. There are claims that this provides health benefits but scientists point out there are no scientific studies that support this claim. A water ionizer should not be confused with charcoal or other filters that remove contaminants or improve taste.
Environmental Responsibility
In addition to improving our water quality, drinking filtered water from taps at home drastically reduces the amount of landfill waste and the negative environmental impact of plastic disposal bottles in our country. Do the earth a favor and have one of our experienced Sacramento plumbers help install your water filtration system today.