Summary:
- Choose the Right Filter Type: Identify contaminants in your well water (e.g., bacteria, heavy metals) with a professional plumber, then select the appropriate filter type (e.g., Reverse Osmosis, carbon filtering, UV purification).
- Consider Flow Rate and Size: Know the flow rate of your appliances and dispensers to select a filter with the right capacity, ensuring proper water flow throughout your home.
- Purification Methods: Choose a filtration system based on your water’s needs, including options like Reverse Osmosis (RO), activated carbon, and UV purification, along with water softeners for hard water.
- Signs You Need a Filter: Install a water filter if you experience issues like bad taste/odour, cloudy water, mineral buildup, skin irritation, or high contaminant levels from water testing.
- Essential Filter Features: Look for systems with multi-stage filtration, sediment filters, iron/manganese removal, and pH adjustment to address common well water issues and enhance water quality.
Switching to using a well as your primary water source is no easy feat. However, the process may be easier when you know what to look for in a whole-house water filter to ensure the water you’re drinking is as clean and pure as possible.
Choosing the Right Water Filter System for Your Well
The first thing to consider is what contaminants are in your well water. Contact a professional plumber who can determine the contaminants you’ll need to remove. Contaminants in the water can differ from place to place. Common well water contaminants include microbial (E. coli), heavy metals, fluoride, and nitrates.
The size of the filter you want for your home will also help determine the type of house water filter you’ll need. For the average home, the ideal size of a water filter for a house should be 4.5” x 20”. However, every system is unique. It’s always best to talk to a professional to determine which filter size is best for your home.
Find Out the Flow Rate of Your Dispensers and Appliances
The flow rate of your dispensers and appliances is measured in gallons per minute. It’s the measure of the amount of water that can run through your dispensers, so it’s essential you know this before deciding on a well-water filter. If you’re unsure, contact the manufacturer of your appliances, who should provide access to all the flow rate information you need.
Consider the Type of Water Purification Method Needed
Several different water purification methods exist for use in house water filter systems.
- Reverse Osmosis (RO): Reverse osmosis is a type of filtration that uses a semi-permeable thin membrane with pores small enough to let pure water through while rejecting larger molecules. Additional filters in the RO system improve the taste, odor, and appearance of your well water, as well. RO systems have very few moving parts, which makes them easy to clean and service. RO system filters require periodic replacement.
- Carbon filtering: Carbon filtering works by absorption and is a method of filtering that uses a bed of activated carbon to remove impurities from water. Water flows through active carbon filters, and chemicals stick to the carbon, resulting in purer water output. Carbon filters require periodic replacement.
- UV: UV water purification is one of the most effective ways of disinfecting water. UV rays penetrate harmful pathogens in your home’s water and destroy illness-causing microorganisms. UV rays kill 99.9% of harmful microorganisms and are often used with other filtration systems, such as reverse osmosis and carbon filtering systems. UV system parts require periodic replacement.
You may also want to consider installing a water softener to treat hard well water. Hard water is water that contains a high mineral content. While generally not considered harmful, calcium, magnesium, and other minerals can damage your appliances. Water softeners remove these elements.
Well water can be particularly prone to being hard, so implementing a water softener along with a well water filter system will further improve the taste, quality, and purity of your well water.
How to Know You Need to Install a Water Filter System
Installing a water filter system is an excellent way to improve water quality, but knowing when you need to do so can depend on a few key factors. You may choose to explore home water filter systems with your local Mr. Rooter Plumbing® if you can relate to these signs:
You Have Water Taste and Odour Issues
Don’t delay researching the best home water filter systems if your water smells or tastes bad. Well water with a rotten egg smell or an unpleasant, metallic, or earthy taste can be contaminated with organic matter, bacteria, and minerals. Whole house water filter systems can help combat those issues.
Your Water Is Cloudy or Murky
If you’ve turned your faucet on only to receive a cup full of cloudy water with particles like sediment and dirt, it’s time to research the best whole home water filter. A filter can remove particles that may otherwise clog pipes and appliances.
You’ve Noticed Mineral Build-Up and Staining
Stains from everyday activities can be frustrating enough without worrying about them from your own water! If you notice water stains on your toilets, tubs, sinks, or laundry, minerals like iron and manganese can be to blame. Investing in a whole house water filter may solve the problem by reducing the amount of these minerals in your water.
Your Skin Is Irritated
Our skin can be irritated for many reasons, but well water can be a cause. When it contains high levels of chlorine, it can lead to dry skin, skin irritation, and eczema flare-ups. A whole house well water filter system may help you enjoy healthier, less irritated skin by reducing the chlorine.
You’ve Had Your Water Tested
You might start searching for home water filter systems with help from Mr. Rooter Plumbing® when your water test results have revealed high contaminant levels. The presence of bacteria, nitrates, arsenic, lead, and pesticides may mean it can be worth purchasing a house water filter system as soon as possible.
House Water Filter System Features
We welcome you to contact our friendly plumbing professionals to learn more about the best home water filter systems to combat your water woes. However, you can also discover the many standout features to look for in a quality water filtration system below:
Multi-Stage Filtration
When discussing the best water filter for your whole house with a trusted plumbing service professional, ask about multi-stage filtration. This is often preferred in well water filter systems as it combines several filtration methods to remove various contaminants.
Sediment Filters
If you’re having trouble with sediment in your well water, look for a sediment filter. These units are designed to remove large particles like rust, silt, sand, and dirt. They can prevent clogging and reduce the risk of damage to pipes and appliances.
Iron and Manganese Removal
Are you dealing with water stains due to high concentrations of minerals like iron and manganese? It makes sense to research iron and manganese filters. These specialized filters, often known as oxidizing or greensand filters, can help remove these minerals.
pH Adjustment
Homeowners dealing with well water that is too acidic or too alkaline may find that the best whole house water filter for well water is one that adjusts the water’s pH levels. This can be crucial when low pH water can corrode pipes and appliances, and high pH water can cause scaling.
Mr. Rooter Plumbing® Is Ready to Help
Professional advice can be useful in determining what steps you need to take to ensure you get the best home water filter system for your well water. Your local Mr. Rooter Plumbing® can help you choose the right whole-house water filter and install it. We also install water softeners. Give us a call today or request a job estimate online.
Do you need to have a dedicated circuit installed for a water filtration system? Mr. Electric® can help. Just like Mr. Rooter Plumbing®, Mr. Electric is part of the Neighbourly® community of home service providers. Whether you need help installing a dedicated circuit or changing a light fixture, you can count on your local Mr. Electric for all your home electrical needs—big and small.
