Whole House Water Filters

A whole house water filter protects water treatment equipment. Occasionally debris or iron in your water supply creates an issue by entering your water treatment equipment. To reduce the chances of this happening a pre-filter can be installed before your water softener to catch sediment and/or iron.

Sediment pre-filters are rated in microns. The micron rating refers to the sediment size that the filter will capture. Typically a 30 to 50 micron filter is best for household applications. These types of whole house water filters will be able to catch debris, but still allow normal flow of water through the filter. With a smaller rated micron filter, these filters need to be changed more often, plug up with sediment faster, and often decrease the household water pressure.

Signs your pre-filter should be changed:

• Remove the existing pre-filter from the filter housing. When looking down on the filter, if the inside of the filter is a white color, then the filter can be used for a longer period of time. If the inside of the filter is a brown/orange color, then the filter will need to be changed sooner.
• If the water pressure in your home has decreased. Often times, the pre-filter will get clogged with sediment not allowing enough water to pass through the filter and supply your home.
• If a sulfur odor develops in your cold water. An unchanged filters often breeds bacteria which will cause a sulfur odor in your cold water. If this is the cause and when changing the filter, add a small cap full of unscented household bleach to disinfect the filter housing from bacteria.

• Properly sized filter (30-50 micron)
• Filter wrench or strap wrench
• Household bleach (unscented)
• Food grade silicone – never use petroleum based products
• A dry rag

1. Shut the water off by either turning off the valves before and after the pre-filter housing or turning off the water shut off valve to the home. If turning off the water at the well tank or on city water, the incoming source, run a cold water faucet preferably in a basement or the lowest point in the home until the water stops or trickles out.
2. Using a filter wrench or a large strap wrench, unscrew the filter housing and remove the old filter. Notice: Water will continue to drain out of the pipes.
3. Put one cap full of unscented household bleach into the filter housing.
4. Check to make sure the o-ring has silicone on it and the o-ring has not fallen out of the filter housing.
5. Put the new pre-filter in the filter housing and hand tighten the filter housing to the piping.
6. Wipe down the filter housing with a rag so it is dry.
7. Turn the water back on slowly.
8. Check for leaks.

• Tighten the filter housing with the filter wrench or big pliers. Sometimes hand tightening is not enough. Only tighten with wrench or pliers slightly so it is easier to remove for the next filter change.
• Check the o-ring seal in the filter housing. Sometimes they become caught and do not seat in the correct position. Make sure the o-ring does not have a buildup of sand, dirt, or other foreign material. It is best to wipe the o-ring with a towel and apply food grade silicone on the o-ring.
• If you have any questions, please contact us.

If you are in need of seeking out solutions to your current water issues, contact us to schedule a no-cost, no-obligation appointment. We will test your water and offer an honest opinion of solutions that will solve your water problems.