It is a common misconception that water filtration systems are unnecessary for homes or businesses. In reality, it is essential to have a reliable water filtration system because the tap water from your sink may be contaminated with pollutants and bacteria.
The best way to protect your family and employees from these harmful contaminants is by filtering the water as close as possible to where it will be consumed. There are many different types of home and business filter systems that can help reduce lead levels in drinking water, remove chlorine taste and odor, or offer safe refrigeration solutions for food storage. We will discuss what you need to know about choosing the right system for your needs.
What Is A Water Filtration System?
A water filtration system is a device that removes contaminants from drinking water. They are used in homes, schools, hospitals, and many other places to drink clean water.
There are two types of systems: point-of-use (POU) and point-of-entry (POE). A POU system filters tap or healthy water before it is consumed. This type can be installed easily by the homeowner themselves with basic plumbing skills. POE systems filter the incoming municipal supply line before reaching the home’s pipes for drinking purposes. These require professional installation as they usually involve digging up yards to access buried lines.
There are many different water filters, but the most common are activated carbon filters and reverse osmosis systems. Activated carbon filters use a particular kind of charcoal to remove chemicals, tastes, and odors from the water. Reverse osmosis systems use pressure to force water through a semipermeable membrane that removes arsenic, lead, and chlorine contaminants.
No matter what type of system you choose, it’s essential to regularly maintain and replace the filters to keep your water clean and safe to drink.
Types of Water Filtration Systems
There are many different types of water filtration systems available to choose from, and each one has its pros and cons. The best way to find the right design for your needs is by discussing your situation with a professional who can help you identify which type will work best for you.
1. Reverse Osmosis (RO)
This type of system is probably one of the most popular, and there are several good reasons for that. Its efficient design can remove up to 97% of all contaminants, including lead, chlorides, fluoride, chlorine, bacteria, and many others. It’s also straightforward to maintain and can last for many years.
The main drawback of this type of system is the cost, particularly when installing. RO systems are also quite large, making them harder to fit into smaller spaces.
2. Carbon Filters
This type will remove unpleasant tastes and odors from your water, as well as chlorine for better-tasting drinks. They can also reduce lead levels that are found in older plumbing systems. However, carbon filters are not very good at lowering other contaminants.
3. Multi-Stage Filters
These systems combine several filtration types, including a carbon filter, ion exchange resin, and sediment filter. They’re great for those who want to remove as many contaminants from their water as possible, with the broadest range of benefits.
4. Ultraviolet Filters
Also known as purifiers, this system emits ultraviolet light onto your water. The process destroys harmful microorganisms in the water, instantly improving its taste and smell while also providing some filtration benefits. These systems are pretty small but can only be used for drinking water, not larger volumes.
5. Electric Distiller
Distillation is a simple filtration process that boils water and condenses the steam into pure, clean water. This means it can remove chemicals and heavy metals like lead but cannot filter out microorganisms or smaller particles.
6. Solar Distillers
This type of system works similarly to electric distillers but instead uses the sun’s power to heat up and purify water. They require very little maintenance, but they need to be placed in a sunny position.
7. Ionic Filtration
This system works by passing water through ion exchange resin beads that attract harmful particles as it passes over them. This means it can improve taste and remove contaminants like chlorine. It can also remove heavy metals like lead but cannot do much for microorganisms or chemicals.
8. Water Softeners
Water softening systems will reduce the build-up of scale that forms in pipes, kettles, dishwashers, and other appliances. However, they should not be used on reverse osmosis systems since they can damage them.
9. Whole House Multi-stage Filtration
These large filters attach to your water supply, providing you with clean filtered water throughout your home. They do not require any maintenance either, making them a very convenient option for anyone looking for an all-in-one system.
How Do Filter Systems Fail?
A filter system is a device that removes impurities, pollutants, or other unwanted substances from water. The purpose of the filter system is to keep the water clean and free of contaminants for human consumption.
1. Sedimentation Filters
The under-cross-flow type is the most popular, but there are also over-flow and depth filter types. Sedimentation filters remove larger particles through sedimentation, allowing them to settle or sink. They operate when water flows across an inlet area with a layer of floating debris on the surface. As this layer is continuously fed by incoming water and new waste, it moves down a slope (reducing in thickness) and eventually reaches and passes through a section where it can be collected. This action causes all particles that would typically enter the filtration area to be removed as they sink into this sedimentation zone.
Sedimentation filters also use the principle of gravity to separate impurities from water. When a heavier solid (impurity) is introduced into a body of light fluid (water), the two substances will naturally separate, and the impurities will sink to the bottom.
2. Membrane Filters
Membranes are:
• Thin, porous materials are used to separate liquids.
• Gases.
• Other suspensions are based on the size of each substance.
Membranes surround a filtering surface that allows water to pass through it. However, microorganisms and other small particles cannot pass out because they become trapped in the membrane material.
3. Activated Carbon Filters
Activated carbon adsorbs many impurities from gases and liquids, including certain chemicals and odors. This is a natural non-chemical process where the contaminants adhere to the surface of the carbon granules. Activated carbon filters are typically used for taste and odor removal and bacterial control.
4. Reverse Osmosis Membranes
Reverse osmosis membranes separate the solvent from a solution by forcing the liquid through a semipermeable membrane. This process creates pressure that pushes pure solvent molecules onto one side of the membrane, making impurities to the other side. Some reverse osmosis membranes have an additional pre-treatment stage known as sedimentation or filtration, which removes larger particles from the water before passing through the membrane.
The common problems in filters include surface interaction and contamination, corrosion, and filter occlusion.
How to Properly Maintain Water Filter System
Maintaining a water filter system is simple and easy. You can easily keep your water clean and contaminant-free with the right supplies.
1. Check Your Filter Change-Out Schedule
A water filter system is suitable for a certain amount of gallons per the warranty on your filer cartridge. Check this number when you first purchase your plan and note when you should be changing it out. This varies from product to product, so check with the manufacturer before seeing how much you have filtered through your system.
2. Clean your Faucet Aerator
A clogged or dirty aerator can harm the taste of the water coming out of your sink. To properly clean it, follow these steps:
• Remove the aerator from your faucet.
• Use an Allen key to loosen the screw located at the tip of the aerator.
• Turn the water on.
• Let it run for a minute or two to flush out the aerator.
3. Run Your Faucet- Use Cold Water Only
When getting low on filtered, don’t wait until you’re out to refill. Running cold water through your system will keep the line drying up and keep the filter in its optimal state. While this is not necessary, it will prolong the usefulness of your filter.
4. Change Out Cartridges When Advised- If Unsure Contact Customer Service
Every water filter system has a recommended cartridge change date, so keep track of this number and replace the cartridge on time. If you are unsure or have lost this information, don’t hesitate to reach out to us on social media or our website contact us page.
5. Drain Your System Regularly
This is not an everyday task but still needs to be done. For this, you will need the proper supplies due to different filter systems. If your system does not come with a drain valve (like our Reverse Osmosis Systems), you can find more information on how to drain your design here.
6. Clean Out Sediment from Your Storage Tank and Brine Tank (If Applicable)
Sediment can build up in the tanks over time. To properly clean these tanks, follow these steps: disconnect the water supply to both tanks, remove one at a time discard any sediment-free lines of any sediment fill with cold water and flush out the system.
7. Check Your Filters Every Month
If you have a kitchen faucet filter, change the cartridge once per month to ensure optimal performance. This is especially important in areas with a lot of sediment and minerals.
Conclusion
Many people don’t realize that water filtration systems are essential in their homes or business. These systems filter out many harmful chemicals and bacteria found in tap water. But not all filtration systems are created equal, so it is best to find the one that fits your needs. If you looking for a certified installer for a water filtration system in your home or business in southern Maine contact American Mechanical & Plumbing Service Inc. https://americanmechanicalandplumbing.com/