Water Filtration Systems – What Should You Really Have?
Let’s start by giving some basics about 3 types of systems that will give you amazing water throughout your home. This system will provide years of clean water.
The first system is a water conditioner. This type of water filtration will strain out particles. The amount of filtration depends upon the micron rating of the filter media. The smaller the number, the smaller the particles it will filter out. These filters are generally called sediment filters since they filter out undissolved particles. Another type of filtration is a process that changes the chemical makeup of the water.
Here are more details about that system:
Water Conditioners
While water conditioners do not produce soft water, they offer some benefits. A conditioner leaves minerals in the water, which creates water scale. If you are a consumer who has had a real water softener before, you will instantly tell the difference. You will not be happy with the performance or capabilities of a water conditioner.
As we said, though, there are some benefits.:
Water Softeners
Then, there is water softening… Living in southern California, we nearly all have hard water. It leaves crusty deposits on our faucets, shower heads, and other plumbing fixtures. Hard water leaves your skin dry and makes it so that you need to use more soap to clean laundry than you would if you had soft water.
Hard water also builds up in your water heater and plumbing fixtures. Suppose you have a tankless water heater unit. In that case, it probably has a warranty stipulation that requires you to have some scale inhibitor to keep the hard water buildup from getting into the heat exchanger. You likely hear a rumbling sound if you have a traditional tanked water heater. This is caused by the water buildup in the bottom of the tank. There are many approaches to dealing with hard water. The only way to eliminate hard water is to “soften” the water.
A traditional water softeners employ an ionic exchange process to eliminate complex water ions, typically calcium and magnesium, replacing them with either sodium or potassium ions (we recommend potassium). Some scale reduction filters operate on a similar principle but offer only minimal softening. Additionally, there are other scale inhibitors like pass-through filters and electronic units, which function by isolating hard water molecules and allowing them to flow through your plumbing system without adhering to any surfaces.
However, it’s worth noting that many of these systems tend to have limited effectiveness. Furthermore, for a water softener to function optimally, it must be connected to your home’s inlet water supply, necessitating plumbing and electrical connections.
On a side note, it’s reassuring to know that most municipally supplied water undergoes regular testing and must adhere to strict safety regulations mandated by the government to ensure its potability.
Reverse Osmosis Water Filtration
Reverse osmosis uses a combination of different stages to filter your water. A basic RO system will have a carbon pre-filter. This is followed by a membrane filter (the actual reverse osmosis stage) and then a carbon post filter. The precise reverse osmosis stage filters the water with dissolved impurities. This stage works much like a sediment filter, except the way this system is designed. It allows water with dissolved solids to pass through to a drain, and the “pure” water can pass through to a storage tank. These units are usually installed under a kitchen sink with a separate spout mounted on the sink or countertop. This is the most effective way of getting purified water.
An example is when you filter water with chlorine in it. The chlorine goes through activated carbon, and the electrons change the water. This happens as it passes through the carbon filter media and becomes a harmless chloride.
Most dual or multi-stage basic filter systems use a sediment filter followed by an activated carbon filter. Most whole-house water filters use a process of layering filter media in a single tank to filter many things out all at once. Single, dual, & multi-stage systems can be installed under your sink to improve the water’s taste and odor. As mentioned previously, a faucet can be installed on your counter, OR in-line on a refrigerator.
So Which Way Should You Go?
While a water conditioner may not be the primary solution for addressing hard water issues, it plays a crucial role in home water treatment. Water conditioners are designed to reduce the chlorine and chloramine content in your water, both of which are known to have adverse effects. If you’re concerned about the impact of chlorine and chloramines on your water quality, suffer from skin conditions or dry skin, and aim to improve the taste and eliminate odors in your water, a water conditioner can be a valuable addition to your home. However, if you really want top-notch water read on…
By installing a water conditioner alongside a water softener and adding reverse osmosis for your drinking water, you not only protect and prolong the lifespan of your water-using appliances, plumbing, fixtures, and dishes but also enhance the aesthetic quality and taste of your water.
This combined approach ensures that your family enjoys not only the benefits of improved water quality but also the peace of mind that comes with healthier, better-tasting water.
What Type of Water Systems Do We Install?
We are happy to announce that we use Falsken Water Filtration Systems
Falsken is a full-service water treatment provider. They are devoted to providing customers with honest, reliable solutions to water treatment needs. This includes expertise in supplying the equipment which will best achieve those results.
- We understand that no two homes are the same, so we’ll tailor a solution to meet your unique needs.
- The use of our products helps remove more plastic water bottles that end up in the landfill, saving you money and reducing our carbon footprint.
- Our products are designed to help you save money, use less energy, and maximize the life and efficiency of your appliances.
- Since 1984, Falsken has been making water cleaner and safer for homes and businesses. We feel secure with Falsken products.
Call KP Plumbing in Diamond Bar, California today for a chat about what would work best
for your home, family and budget.
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