Clean running water is necessary for many of us and can be far more accessible than most realize. For those living on properties with well water, the advantage of having a whole-house water filter system is clear — no matter where you get your water in the house, it will be filtered. But what steps are involved in such a setup?
Installing a whole-house water filter with a well can seem daunting—especially if this isn’t DIY work that you’ve done before. However, with some research and the help of a few professionals, you could ensure that every drop of your home water coming from the well is perfectly clean and safe to use for drinking or any other activity.
Today we will break down each step so you have all the information needed to choose and install your whole-house filter for your home’s well water — from researching potential models to ensuring proper installation. Let’s start by looking at what type of filter to get for the job ahead.
Choosing a Whole House Filter for Well Water
Whole house water filters are the best trendiest filtering systems used all over the world. They are effective and generate high-quality water.
A whole-house sediment filter for well water treats and filters well water so that all the water that enters the house is clean and rid of contaminants. This is simply because most well waters are channeled to an over-head tank, which is connected to flow through the taps within a house.
Here are top tips to choosing the most excellent whole house filters for your well water:
Consider Manufacturers Reputation
One important thing usually overlooked in the bid to purchase water well filters is the reputation and credibility of the manufacturing company. The type of filter you purchase and install in your well will greatly determine the quality and amount of water that flows into your house. You must ensure the company is proven and trusted to produce top-notch products.
What Type of Whole House Filter Do You Need?
Before choosing the type of well water sediment filter you need, decipher the contaminants in your water. Consult a professional to help determine the contaminants that need to be removed from your water. If you intend to connect the filter to private water well, consider removing contaminants like hardness materials, iron, and sediments.
Filter Rate
Usually, the water flow rate is measure by gallons per minute. Find out the flow rate of water through your dishwasher, water heaters, showers, taps, and toilets.
To avoid interrupting water flow and low water pressure, find out the demand specification offered by the company.
Filter Size
A large filter is mostly the best to use as it provides an increased water supply. Also, you will need to check the port size of the filter. It affects the flow rate of water into the house.
The ideal size of a whole house filter should be 4.5 x 20” for an average home. However, according to Schultz Soft Water, for a large house, the whole house filter’s size should dispense water at the rate of 25gpm, with 1 ½ inch port.
Filter Life
The quality and amount of the water you intend filtering is what determines the life of the filter. Advanced Water Filters says that 4.5 x 20” whole house carbon filter will produce 100,000 – 150,000 gallons of water.
However, a stand-alone carbon filter will last longer if they have a backwashing valve.
How to Install a Calcite Filter?
Calcite water filters contain 100% calcite media used to remineralize acidic drinking water by raising the water pH and alkalinity, making the water less corrosive.
When acidic water mixes with calcite, it dissolves the calcium carbonate to raise the water’s pH level. Once done, the potential trickling of copper, lead, and other metals in water reduce.
Tools
- Pipe cutters
- Large pliers
- Fill funnel
Installation Process
The Addition of Two Shutoff Valves
Adding two shut-off valves to a water filtration system is an important step in ensuring the system’s proper functioning. Shut-off valves allow easy access to the filter units, allowing for maintenance and repairs without shutting off the entire water supply.
It is important to install ball valves on either side of the pipe and the necessary fittings to connect to the filter when installing a single unit without a pre-filter. It is also important to dry-fit everything before permanently connecting any pipes or fittings.
When installing a pre-filter and carbon filter setup, it is important to mount the units as the manufacturer instructed. After that, continue piping tees into each filter, adding ball valves between each tee and filter. Finally, finish up by piping all necessary fittings into their respective filters.
Again, it is important to dry-fit everything before permanently connecting pipes or fittings. By following these steps, you can ensure that your water filtration system will be properly set up with two shut-off valves for easy access and maintenance.
Connect the Wires by Soldering
Soldering is an important part of any plumbing project and requires careful preparation and attention to detail. Emery cloth and a deburring tool must be used to clean copper lines before soldering. This will ensure that the solder will adhere properly to the pipe. The fittings should also be cleaned with an emery cloth or a fitting brush before applying flux to the inside of the fittings and the copper pipe.
Once everything is prepared, heat the fitting using a propane torch until it is hot enough for the solder to melt. Make sure that you fill up the joint completely with solder before wiping it clean once finished.
In order to prevent internal components from being damaged by the heat from the torch, it is important to solder fittings to water filters before attaching them. With these steps in mind, you can ensure that your soldered connections will be secure and reliable for years to come.
Consider a Grounding Jumper Cable
Installing a grounding jumper cable is an important step in installing a water filter, especially if your home has copper or galvanized water pipes. Metal water pipes are sometimes used to ground electrical systems in older homes. To determine if this is the case, you should look for a ground clamp and a wire attached to it coming from the panel box. If there is one present, then it means that the water filter housing might have broken this ground path.
To remedy this situation, you should install appropriate grounding clamps to the metal pipe on either side of the filter. This will help ensure that any electricity running through your home’s plumbing system will be safely grounded and won’t cause any damage or harm.
It’s important to note that this step should only be taken if necessary, as it can be dangerous if done incorrectly. If you are unsure how to install a grounding jumper cable properly, it’s best to consult with an experienced electrician or plumber before proceeding. If you can do it perfectly, then the whole water filter installation is done. Now, it’s time to enjoy a warm shower.
Frequently Asked Questions [FAQs]
1. How to Remove Iron from Well Water Naturally?
One of the most effective ways of removing iron from water naturally is by using chlorine. Also, water softeners can rid iron of water.
2. How to Treat Coliform Bacteria in Well Water?
When coliforms are present in water, modification of the system is necessary. To do that, boil the water until water shows that the contaminant is removed.
3. How to Remove Calcium from Well Water?
You can remove calcium from the well water by using vinegar. Just add vinegar to the water that contains calcium buildup, and the calcium will dissolve in an hour.
4. Is Well Water Healthier than Tap water?
Yes. Well, water is healthier than tap water. Because it has not been treated yet, it retains these minerals that the body needs.
5. How to Get Rid Of Sulfur Smell in Well Water?
The use of chlorine bleach can remove the sulfur smell in well water. Apart from eliminating odor in well water, chlorine can be used to remove the smell of rotten eggs from water.
Conclusion
Installing a whole-house water filter on a well can be done with the right tools and instructions. It is important to remember that when dealing with any water filter, testing should be done regularly to ensure it is functioning properly and providing clean, safe water for your home. I hope this clears all those things; you can easily install your whole house water filter yourself.
Sarah J. Gregory
352 Hershell Hollow Road
Anaheim, CA 92805
