According to Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs - clean water is the first need. Municipal tap water often looks clean, but it can contain various contaminants like lead, chlorine, chloramines, disinfection byproducts, pharmaceuticals and dead organic matter. Water taken from a private well can contain pesticides, herbicides, iron, manganese, sediment, pH issues and more.
Consuming contaminated water can be detrimental to health and sometimes lead to serious health issues. According to research, contaminated water causes diseases like cholera, dysentery, diarrhea, typhoid, and polio. Around 7.2 million Americans get sick every year from diseases spread through water. It costs the US healthcare system over $3 billion. Considering all these facts, people have grown extra cautious with the quality of water they are using. They prioritize their health and use water filtration systems to access safer water supplies.
Through this article, we shall shed light on both why a whole house water filtration system is important and how one can install a custom water filter at home, along with expert advice on its maintenance and safety considerations.
Let’s start with the importance of a reliable home water filtration system.
Importance of having a reliable water filtration system at home
A reliable home water filtration system provides filtered water for different purposes like drinking, cooking, and washing fruits and vegetables. Having clean water readily available enhances overall safety and promotes better physical health through better hydration. It becomes a lot easier to stay hydrated with filtered, tasty water available throughout the home dispensed at a high flow rate. With rapid industrialization, city tap water can be adulterated with chemicals, pharmaceutical residues, and industrial pollutants, and well water can contain any number of naturally occurring contaminants or farm runoff. Therefore, it becomes clearly necessary to have a reliable home water filtration system that addresses these concerns and facilitates proper hydration conveniently.
Here are the five most important benefits of investing in a reliable home water filter.
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Removal of Contaminants
A reliable filtration system helps remove common contaminants such as lead, arsenic, microplastics, pesticides, pharmaceutical wastes, industrial residues, sediments, chlorine, and disinfection byproducts. Thus, it protects you from potential health risks associated with long-term exposure to such contaminants.
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Health Protection
Water contaminated with harmful substances can lead to a variety of health issues, including gastrointestinal problems, and long-term health risks. By removing or reducing contaminants, a water filtration system provides an additional layer of protection for you and your family, minimizing the risk of water-related conditions. It provides reassurance that you are providing your family with the best possible water for their health and well-being. Moreover, it also protects vulnerable populations like children, pregnant women, geriatric individuals, and immuno-compromised patients from the adverse effects of waterborne contaminants.
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Improved Taste and Odor
Water filtration systems can remove unpleasant tastes and odors caused by chlorine, sulfur compounds, iron, dead organic matter and other contaminants present in the water. Filtering out these impurities can enhance the overall taste and smell of the water, making it more enjoyable to drink and use in cooking.
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Reduction in Plastic Waste
By using a water filtration system, you can significantly reduce reliance on single-use plastic water bottles. Bottled water consumption contributes to plastic waste, microplastic ingestion and generation, air pollution from transportation, and overall combined environmental degradation. Having a reliable filtration system allows you to access clean drinking water directly from your tap, reducing plastic waste and saving money.
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Cost-effectiveness
Investing in a water filtration system can lead to long-term cost savings compared to purchasing bottled water. The cost of buying bottled water can quickly add up, especially for households that consume significant amounts of water. A reliable filtration system provides a cost-effective solution, eliminating the need for constant bottled water purchases, transportation and storage hassles.
Benefits of building your own custom water filtration system
It is advisable to Create Your Own custom water filtration system when your water’s contaminant profile calls for it. Chlorination, sediment levels, or pH, out of control? Want to double up on carbon filtration or use reusable sediment filters in step-down stages? Consider the following:
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Customization
By building your own water filtration system, you have the flexibility to customize it based on your specific needs and water quality concerns. You can select and combine different filtration media, technologies, and components to create a system that effectively targets the contaminants present in your water supply. For example: Very high sediment levels with sediment that is distributed among different sizes can take advantage of available reusable pleated sediment filters in 30 and 5 micron sizes followed by either a 1 micron absolute or Nanofiber 0.2 micron absolute (0.02 micron effective) sediment filters. The Nanofiber filter is electropositive and will adhere to its surface - all suspended particles - including microorganisms. They are pricey however and should be downstream of other sediment filters.
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Affordability
Building your own filtration system can be cost-effective compared to purchasing a pre-built system. You can choose affordable components and materials that fit your budget. You can also maintain and replace individual components as needed, which is definitely more pocket-friendly when washing and reusing, reusable sediment filters..
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Tailored Filtration Performance
Different water sources may have varying levels of contaminants and impurities. By building your own system, you can specifically design it to address your water supply's unique challenges. This allows you to optimize filtration performance and target the specific contaminants that concern you.
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Scalability
Building your own filtration system provides scalability and upgradability options. You can start with a basic system and gradually add or upgrade components as needed, provided you have the space. Please remember to build a by-pass on your system during the original installation. You can add a second system in parallel on the bypass line. This flexibility allows you to adapt to changing water quality, increased filtration demands, or new technologies.
Selecting an installation location
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Whole house filtration systems are best installed in a garage or unfinished basement where water damage cannot occur from leakage. Don’t store your prized origami collection under it.
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Always build a by-pass.
The Customizable Home Master Water Filter
The Home Master® Whole House Water Filter allows you to create your own filtration system to pick stages and filters according to your requirements.
With Home Master Whole House Water Filter, you can employ massive filter housings with 1” ports for the strongest possible water pressure up to 20 gallons per minute. You also get a solid steel mounting bracket. The advantage of this filter is that it delivers clean, clear water to every water faucet and shower head at home without bringing the water pressure down when used and maintained as directed.
Maintenance and Filter Replacement
Filters have a limited lifespan and need to be replaced or washed and reused periodically. The manufacturer will typically provide guidelines on how often filters should be replaced based on factors such as usage, contaminants, and the type of filter.
It is advisable to follow the recommended maintenance procedures provided by the manufacturer to ensure the optimal performance and longevity of your filtration system. This may include periodic filter replacements, cleaning, or servicing.
Here are the points to remember when it comes to proper filter replacement procedures.
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Clean or rinse reusable filters (if applicable)
Some filters, bearing the designation “reusable”, can be cleaned and reused. Typically these are of the pleated polyester sediment type in the 30 to 5 micron filtration range. Most 1 micron pleated polyester filters bearing a 1 micron absolute designation, will not be presented as reusable even though they are made from the same material as the reusable 30 and 5 micron filters. The 1 micron absolute rating qualifies (in most cases) for bacteria and cyst reduction, and should not be reused if you are using it for that purpose. If microorganisms are not a concern… If your filters are reusable, follow the manufacturer's instructions on how to properly clean and maintain them.
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Inspect filters regularly
Routinely examine the condition of your filter and filter housings to check for signs of wear, stress, clogging, or damage. If you notice any issues in the housings, then its best to replace them and not just the filters. Plastic housings should be replaced every 5 years. A decrease in filtration efficiency or unusual odors, indicate that it's time to replace or service the filters. Some filters should be changed on a calendar basis. Please set a calendar reminder on your device.
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Set up a maintenance schedule
Create a schedule to remind yourself when it's time to perform maintenance tasks and replace filters. This will help ensure that you don't forget or delay essential maintenance. Please set a calendar reminder on your device.
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Follow proper filter replacement procedures
When replacing filters, refer to the manufacturer's instructions for the correct procedure. This may involve turning off the filtration system, removing the old filters, and installing new ones according to the provided guidelines.
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Maintain a stock of replacement filters
It's a good practice to have spare filters on hand to ensure you can replace them promptly when needed. Purchase the correct filters for your specific filtration system and store them in a clean and dry location.
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Regularly clean the filtration system
In addition to filter replacement, some filtration systems may require periodic cleaning. This can involve removing debris, sediment, or mineral buildup from the system’s exterior. Refer to the manufacturer's instructions for the appropriate cleaning procedure.
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Keep track of maintenance and replacement dates
Maintain a record of when you performed maintenance tasks and replaced filters. This will help you stay organized and ensure that you adhere to the recommended maintenance schedule.
Safety Considerations and Compliance
When dealing with water filtration systems, safety considerations and compliance are especially critical to ensure the health and well-being of users. Here are specific safety points and compliance factors to keep in mind:
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Material Safety
Ensure that all materials used in the water filtration system, including filters, pipes, and fittings, are made of safe and non-toxic materials that meet relevant health and safety standards.
2. Removal of contaminants
Check the manufacturer's “Operating Conditions” to compare the system’s capabilities with your contaminant profile and load, and thus whether or not the system meets your water quality needs..
3. Pressure and Flow Rate
The water pressure and flow rate should be within the limits recommended by the manufacturer.
4. Installation by Professionals
Countless Home Master® whole house systems have been installed successfully by intrepid DIY’ers. For those who are less inclined, consider seeking the assistance of a qualified professional to ensure proper setup and future ease of use.
5. Testing and Monitoring
Periodically test the filtered water to ensure it meets the desired quality standards. Implement a monitoring system to detect any changes in water quality or system performance.
6. Install a By-pass and Shut-off
Ensure there is an easily accessible shut-off valve to stop water flow during emergencies, maintenance, or vacations.Use the bypass during maintenance.
Wrapping Up
There are various types of water filtration systems available in the market. Each has its own strengths and is engineered for different purposes. Creating your own filtration system gives you the liberty to get a filter technology that suits the needs of your application. As a result, you will enjoy cleaner and safer water for drinking, cooking, and other household needs.
If you need further assistance, send us a copy of your most recent water analysis or get a water test. Accordingly, we will make a recommendation, and you can customize your water filtration system. Just reach out to us at [email protected] – we love to help!