Looking for practical whole house water filter for good city water
Ben H
6 years ago
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Ron Natalie
6 years agoMrs. S
6 years agoRelated Discussions
water softener & whole house filter?
Comments (7)Here is the site of the system that you presently have. http://www.lifesourcewater.com/about-lifesource/ For a point of reference, you used the words 'purifier' and 'purfied'. Let's take a look at that: "PURE" used in water treatment is a marketing tool not a technical description. It is used to catch the eyes and ears of the consumer to incite purchase and a false sense of accomplishment. Pure H20 is practically impossible, even in laboratory conditions, to exist on this planet. If it is ever acheived, it will last that way but for the briefest moment only. Don't be misled by marketing tools. Secondly you made the statement:...it is not an RO but rather a water purifier." Well, an RO can far better 'purify' the water than the Lifesource ever can. Hands down, no comparison. The membrane technology removes dissolved solids to slightly larger than the molecule of H20. This is an incredible, albeit, common water treatment. Your statement that you are seeing stains, calcium build up and other evendence of water damage, is testimony that the Lifesource, is no way making your water 'pure'. Would adding a softener to the already installed Lifesource work? Well, that depends. Are you on city or well water? The Lifesource will act as a prefilter to the softener and can be recommended for city water applications but on most well water sources, it may be unnecessary. I would seriously considering learning more about ROs and other factors in water treatment. Just go ahead and ask and someone will get bak with you. Please excuse my wanting to make purifyingly clear a few terms as this is cause for many disappointed consumers. Andy Christensen, CWS-II...See MoreWhole House Water Filter
Comments (2)Andy c is correct. You'll be using some version of an activated charcoal stack. Believe they are available separately but usually in combination with a particulate filter and timed backwash device. Several water softener vendors also include them as components of their softening units. I have Kinetico's version. Kinetico's installer advised that at my chlorine level (very faintly noticeable by smell if you concentrate while sniffing) the charcoal modules would probably last about five years and will cost several hundred dollars to replace when the time comes. Kinetico is always on the high end. Suspect almost any other vendor would be less either by a little or a lot. In any event, whatever you get WILL require replacement at some interval....See MoreWhole House Water Filter...do they exist?
Comments (7)Well, that's a little dismal, Kas. We've had members who had whole house R.O. systems. It's expensive, and only useful if the water really isn't suitable for showering and laundry, but some have done it. If it's really only drinking/cooking water that you're concerned with, putting a small unit in the kitchen might do you. You can put water jars in the bathrooms for tooth brushing, and pitchers in the entertaining areas. Or even three or four small units, which could be more cost effective in a big house than a whole house unit. When you're pricing, don't forget to figure in the cost of filters. My house came with an R.O. at the kitchen sink, which was great, because we used to have really nasty tasting (though perfectly safe water). The annual filter replacement was about $100, which was fine. Then it needed a $500 every five years filter and I said no. The water company had much improved the tap water. S, if you google the subject you can find some to start reading up on. What's required at your house is going to be pretty ideosyncratic, and require some testing of your water. It's also worth thinking about maintenance. Unless you're good at plumbing and mechanics, and want to learn everything about your system and how to repair it, you'd do well to confine your search to what's available in your area, including quality maintenance....See MoreI need help with choosing a whole home water softener/filter and r/o
Comments (9)1. Salt-free water "softeners" do not soften water. They are pretty good at separating folks from their money, but that is all. That Clack system is too small. If you were only using the place for a few weeks total it would probably be fine, but since you are there half the year, you want one twice that size - 2 cubic ft or resin. Kinetico is different for a whole bunch of reasons, so the units will be smaller, if space is a premium. For a place that sits idle, they are a nice option. However, they will be way more expensive. An RO will remove the GenX toxin. Without knowing the specific chemistry of the chemical, it is difficult to say exactly what percentage will be removed. However, given its origin, removal efficiency should be quite high. There are certain things to look for when purchasing a softener (these don't apply to Kinetico): High quality American or German made resin. This will provide a tight size distribution for optimal flow within the resin, longer resin life, and more reliable, predicable water softening. If you have WELL WATER: 8% crosslinked resin. If you have CITY WATER: 10% crosslinked resin. The oxidizers that city water treatment plants use, such as chlorine or chloramine, are harmful to softener resins. Higher crosslinking will resist chemical attack longer. 3. Top basket (nice to have for well water, required for city water). This serves two purposes. It sets up a proper water distribution during normal operation and prevents resin loss during backwash. Gravel underbed. The gravel underbed is there to set up proper flow patterns, improve backwash, keep the bottom basket in place, prevent basket failure, and prevent channeling. Many softener sales companies like to leave this out or sell softeners with a vortex system instead. Vortex systems weigh less than gravel so they cost less to ship. In addition, they are a more expensive item that adds profit for the softener salesperson, but provides no additional benefit to the homeowner . It simply adds another piece of equipment that can break. Fleck or Clack valves. These set the industry standard. Be aware that you will not be able to purchase Clack valves online. This is not a problem if you purchase locally. The valve should regen based on water usage, not time. Install the softener with a three-valve bypass. This will make it much easier if you ever need to remove the softener for repairs or wish to take it with you when you move. Use full-port, quarter-turn valves. Noryl bypass. Most softeners are available with either Noryl or stainless bypass valves. Both are good valves, but the noryl tends to be more reliable when not used for long periods of time. This is a redundancy if you install with a proper three-valve bypass. I prefer a bit of redundancy but it is your call. Brine tank: Although either round or square will work, round brine tanks are more structurally sound and will not deform like a square tank will. Additionally, if you need a softener 1.5 cuft or larger, a square tank will most likely be too small. If you live in a cold climate, ensure equipment is stored in a climate-controlled environment. Frozen softener resin is damaged softener resin. Purchase a Hach 5-B test kit. You will want to periodically check to ensure your softener is working correctly and this kit is your best option. Additionally, you should purchase a Hach 5-B test kit. You will want to periodically check to ensure your softener is working correctly and this kit is your best option....See MoreBen H
6 years agorobin0919
6 years agolookintomyeyes83
6 years agorobin0919
6 years agoBen H
6 years agoRon Natalie
6 years agowishiwereintheup
6 years agoRon Natalie
6 years ago
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