Water filtration is an important but often forgotten part of a plumbing system. It keeps your pipes, fixtures, and appliances safe from harmful contaminants and ensures that the water flowing through your home is clean and safe. At Level 9 Heating, Cooling, and Plumbing in Des Peres, MO, we strive to provide essential plumbing services, including water filtration upgrades for our customers. Learn more about how water filtration can transform your plumbing system and provide you and your loved ones with clean, healthy water.
How Water Filtration Works in Your Plumbing System
Water filtration in your plumbing system is essential for ensuring that the water flowing through your pipes is clean, safe, and free from harmful contaminants. At its core, a water filtration system acts as a barrier that traps and removes impurities before the water reaches your faucets, appliances, or any other outlet. Most of the time, these systems use at least one filtration method, like activated carbon, reverse osmosis, or UV light, to eliminate sediment, chlorine, lead, and bacteria.
The process starts when water from the main supply line enters your home’s plumbing. Depending on the type of filtration system that was installed, the water may first go through a pre-filter that removes bigger things like sand and dirt. After that, it goes through more advanced filters that are made to catch specific contaminants. A reverse osmosis system can eliminate heavy metals and dissolved solids, while an activated carbon filter can soak up chemicals and smells.
Identifying Common Water Contaminants and Their Impact on Plumbing
Water contaminants can significantly damage your plumbing system, causing corrosion, clogs, and other problems that are expensive to fix. To keep your plumbing healthy and working well, you must know about the most common contaminants and how they affect your system.
One of the most common types of pollution is sediment, including sand, silt, and rust. These particles can build up in your pipes and block them, lowering the pressure and flow of water. Over time, sediment buildup can also damage the inside of pipes, causing them to leak or burst. If you have a good filtration system with a sediment filter, these particles can’t get into your plumbing system. This keeps your pipes from getting damaged.
Another common pollutant found in public water supplies is chlorine. Chlorine is added to make the water clean. However, chlorine can damage your plumbing, especially if your pipes are metal. It can also break down rubber gaskets and seals, causing leaks. A carbon-based filtration system can effectively remove chlorine from your water, which will make your plumbing last longer.
Also, heavy metals like copper and lead are a worry. Old pipes can let lead into the water, which is very bad for your health. Copper isn’t as dangerous as lead, but it can still be bad for your health and stain sinks and fixtures a cloudy blue color. Heavy metals can be removed very well by filtration systems, especially reverse osmosis.
Signs Your Plumbing System Needs Upgraded Water Filtration
It’s important to know when your plumbing needs a new water filter to keep your home’s water supply healthy and working well. There are a few signs that your current filtration system might not work right anymore.
One clear sign is a change in the way water tastes or smells. If you start to taste something metallic, chlorine-like, or musty, it could mean that your current filtration system isn’t getting rid of contaminants well enough. This could happen along with strange smells from your water, which can mean bacteria or other harmful substances are there.
Another sign is water that is cloudy or has particles that you can see in it. This could mean that sediment has built up in your plumbing or your filter isn’t catching these particles well enough. You may also see changes in the color of your water, like a yellow or brown tint. This could indicate that your water supply has rust or other contaminants.
Plumbing problems like clogged pipes or low water pressure can also be signs that your water filter system isn’t quite up to the job. If your plumbing isn’t working right, it could be because of scale buildup or corrosion from contaminants that aren’t being filtered. Upgrading to a more advanced filtration system can fix these problems.
Choosing the Right Water Filtration System for Your Plumbing Needs
When choosing the right water filtration system for your plumbing needs, you need to consider several things, such as the quality of the water, the size of your home, and the contaminants in the water supply. By knowing these things, you can make an informed choice that protects your plumbing system in the best way possible and gives your family clean, safe water.
Before you choose a filtration system, you should assess your water quality. This can be done with a water test, which will show you exactly what contaminants are in your water. Chlorine, sediment, heavy metals, and bacteria are all common contaminants. Based on the test results, you can choose a filtration system designed to remove these specific impurities. For instance, a carbon-based filter would work best if your water has a lot of chlorine in it, while a reverse osmosis system would be better for getting rid of heavy metals.
The size of the home and how much water it uses are also very important factors in choosing the right system. A whole-house filtration system might be better for bigger homes that use a lot of water because it filters all the water in the house. Point-of-use systems, like under-sink filters, provide targeted filtration at specific outlets. These systems may be better for smaller homes or people concerned about drinking water quality.
You should also consider the long-term cost of the filtration system and the frequency of maintenance. Some systems, like reverse osmosis, may require more maintenance and filter changes than others.
How Regular Maintenance of Water Filtration Will Preserve Your Plumbing Long-Term
Regular maintenance of your water filtration system is crucial for ensuring its effectiveness and, in turn, enhancing the longevity of your plumbing system. Without regular maintenance, filters can get clogged with dirt and other things that shouldn’t be there. This will slow down the water flow and put stress on your plumbing.
Professional maintenance services are also strongly suggested because they ensure the system works at its best. These services often include deep cleaning, system checks, and any tweaks needed to achieve the best performance. By regularly maintaining your water filtration system, you protect your plumbing from needless damage, lower the chance of breakdowns, and ensure that your whole house always has clean, filtered water.
Contact Us Today for Water Filtration Service
Getting a water filtration system isn’t just a way to improve your water’s taste. It’s also a meaningful way to protect your plumbing and ensure your home’s infrastructure lasts. At Level 9 Heating, Cooling, and Plumbing in Des Peres, we can help you with your water filtration needs. We also offer air conditioning, heating, drain cleaning, water heater, and leak detection services.
Contact us at Level 9 Heating, Cooling, and Plumbing today to learn more about water filtration solutions and dive into clean, purified water at home!
