Modern water filtration systems come in all shapes and sizes, and are designed to perform a variety of different functions. However, there are still some fundamental and basic things that all filters have in common, so if you are just looking for a place to get started with installing a home filtration system, then this is the article for you. No matter what type of filtration system you are installing, there are a few basic do’s and don’t to keep in mind when setting up a home system.
The importance of having clean, filtered water at home
If you are a health-conscious person, then you likely know that water represents at once one of the most important health considerations in our lives, as well as one of the gravest threats to our health. How can one and the same thing be so necessary, yet so potentially dangerous? Water is a unique substance, and there is nothing else on the planet quite like it.
As the “universal solvent,” a term given to water in virtue of its ability to dissolve more substances than any other solvent on the planet, water picks up trace amounts of just about everything it comes into contact with. This makes it an ideal media for bringing in healthy dissolved minerals like calcium, magnesium, iron, and selenium, but it also makes it a vector for spreading bacteria and viruses, chemicals and synthetic, human-made substances, and all other manner of contaminants. Simply put, what makes water the unique powerhouse that it is–it’s dissolving capabilities–also make it a great danger.
What does this mean? It simply means that water, in its natural state on this planet, is usually unsafe to drink, and must be treated in some way to render it safe. Treatment methods include boiling, distilling, and filtering. Boiling water is great for killing microorganisms, but it does nothing to remove heavy metals or other inorganic dangers. Distillation does far better, as it sends the boiled water–in the form of steam–to a different location than the boiling spot, meaning that it is able to get you pure water without heavy metals and such; it is a time-consuming, and technically complicated process, however. Filtering water is usually the best, most cost-effective, and sensible way to make water potable, and water filters are widely available in a huge variety of shapes, sizes, and functions.
There are many types of filtration technology available, but it’s most helpful to break things down into two broad categories of filtration: mechanical and chemical filtration. Mechanical filters work sheerly on principles of physical restraint, like a colander or a screen door. Polypropylene sediment filters are good examples–these densely woven meshes of extruded plastic trap physical particulate as water passes freely through the many pores and channels of the filter. Sediment filters like this are usually used as “pre-filters” before the most common type of chemical filter, namely “activated carbon” filters. An activated carbon filter works “chemically,” with the carbon (made from burned wood, bamboo, or coconut husks) chemically adheres dissolved contaminants to itself in a process known as “adsorption.” Carbon filters are excellent for removing chlorine, VOCs, some heavy metals, and a wide variety of chemical and organic contaminants in water.
More aggressive forms of mechanical filtration include ultrafiltration, nanofiltration, and reverse osmosis, which are all known as “membrane-style” filters. These filters work by forcing water at pressure through a membrane with tiny pores–reverse osmosis membranes have pores as small as 0.0001 microns (for comparison, a typical human hair is roughly 70 microns wide), meaning that it is capable of stripping out just about everything from water. The type of system that you should install depends entirely on the conditions of your water. Figure out your current water quality by checking the most recent annual government water quality report for your city. If you are on well water, you should have it professionally lab-tested for E. Coli, coliform bacteria, heavy metals, and other contaminants.
How to Install A Water Filter: Steps to Follow
The installation process that you can expect to follow will vary widely depending on the type of filter you are installing, but we will focus on the general tools needed across the board, for a wide variety of install jobs.
Gather Essential Materials and Tools
You can expect to use some basic tools in a job like this, so have screwdrivers (flat and philips) on hand, as well as a power drill, razor blade or angle razor cutters, pliers, a crescent wrench, a pipe wrench and pipe cutter if you are installing a water softener or doing any basement plumbing, a bucket to catch water, and rags for cleaning up any spilled water.
Prepare for Installation
As the old saying goes: measure twice, cut once. Never start a job until you are certain that you have everything you need on hand, especially the knowledge needed to do the job right. If you are installing an under-sink filtration unit, begin by cleaning out the under-sink area, readying all tools and the filter itself, and then turning off the cold water line. The same thing applies if you are installing a point-of-entry system in the basement–turning off the incoming water is always the first step. The name of the game is prevention. You want to do everything in your power to prevent water from getting everywhere, being a nuisance at best, and a property-damaging financial drain at worst.
Install the Water Filter
Installing a filter or filtration system itself will often involve some basic drilling in order to install a wall-mount bracket for a filter housing. You may need to drill into your sink’s drain pipe to install a waste-water line, as in the case of a reverse osmosis system. If you are installing a simple inline filter, then the job can be as simple as turning off the cold water line, screwing the filter in on both ends, and turning the water back on. If you are installing a water softener in the basement, then you may be looking at a whole lot of work, including pipe-cutting, welding and/or soldering, and a whole lot of stuff best left to the experts.
Test the Water Filter
You shouldn’t consider the job done until you know that it the filter is working properly, and is leak-free after a sufficient testing period. Turn the water back on slowly, and test thoroughly, visually inspecting every connection and possible leak point. Even if you don’t notice any initial leaks, sometimes leaks can develop after initial installation, so check regularly during the first week of use.
To Sum Up
Installing a home water filtration system can be a very simple process, or a complex and difficult job, depending on the type of system you are installing, and the space you are working in. Start by figuring out your water quality issues, deciding on the right system for your needs, and consult with the experts when you get out of your depth.
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