Searched threw past threads and it seems that most discussion on water filtering is softner related.
About to do the permanent installation of the water in the new house…and considering a whole house filter. Private well. No signs of crud in the water from all I have been running during construction (wouldn’t notice anyways unless it was really nasty). No obvious odor or nasty tastes.
So do I install a whole house cartridge type filter?? Any reason not to? I’ve heard the stories of people not changing them and actually casuing more problems then good.
Anyone better than any other? Just looking for something to do general filtering of “stuff”, i.e. debris, not chemical. Most important I think to me is something that is reliable and rugged and doesn’t cause a headache down the road.
Thanks.
Replies
I don't know if this answers your question, but I have pretty bad [well] water. Lots of iron (red and black) as well as other stuff. In series, I'm running a 40 micron whole house, then a 5 micron whole house, then a carbon 2 micron whole house, then a softener. Water comes out tasting like bottled. I can post a pic of my setup if you want. I change the filters about once every 3 months (two people living in the house). The 40 micron seems to trap 90% of the contaminants based on how it looks when I pull it out compared to the others.
Jon
Please do post the pictures if possible, as well as manf. names & web links if you have them.
Thanks
John,
Here is the pic you asked for. Flow is from right to left. All are Culligan housings. I think they go for ~$40.00. The first two are the large style. FYI, if the softener ever runs out of salt, the water turns a light haze of brown in a day.
My well gives me alot of fine grit.
I installed a sand filter on the incoming wate line.
It automatically backwashes itself every few days, so requires very
little maitenance.
I also have a very fine micron cartridge after it.
It catches any small grit left over and helps the taste.
I change it every 6 months or when the house pressure drops.
I also routed the outdoor spigots before the filter so as not to
waste filtering outdoor water (garden, car wahing, etc.)
Jeff
I have one whole house filter. Originally put the string filters in it. They took a lot of stuff out, but it was easy to forget to change the filter. Seems like the pressure never dropped.
So now I put a charcoal filter in. It clogs up within a couple of months. Substantial water pressure drop forces me to change it. Water also smells and tastes better.
Wouldn't mind having Jon's setup. I've thought about adding another filter. On the list somewhere. Course, then I would have to remember to change the filters!
Another day, another tool.
Our house is on a well and we have problems with debris (i.e. sand & pebbles) in the water. So I added two whole house filters to solve the problem. The first filter is a spin down filter by Rusco and the second is a simple cartridge filter to pick up what the first filter misses. This system works very well for us … hopefully this gives you some ideas.
Brian
Thanks to all. Sounds like I should put one of these filters inline with my system. I've lived the last 10 years off a well with no filter...and about every 4 months or so have to remove a little bit of something from the kitchen sink strainer...First time I saw it I was worried, had the water tested, etc. I have heard the stories of how those filters look after a few months...guess I'll find out first hand very soon!
Thanks to all!
A basic sediment filter will catch the sandy/gravely stuff you find in your faucet strainers. My folks well brought up sand. By the time you changed the filter there'd be a 1/2" layer of sand in the bottom of the bowl. They're pretty cheap, and catch all the big stuff.
If you want to really go further: We just installed a filter that not only filters the water, but shines a UV light through it that kills all the bacteria in it. Cost about $300 from www. aquadoc.com
Our sediment filter only cost us $75. The nice thing about the filter is all you have to do is turn the ball valve at the bottom of the filter to clean it. Water pressure forces out all the debris it collects so long term maintenance cost of the filter is next to nothing.
Brian
When you open the valve does it backflush the filter into the sewer pipe, or do you have to hold a bucket under it?
We use a bucket right now. The ball valve is threaded so you can attach a pipe or flexible tube.
Brian.