Water is undoubtedly one of the most crucial necessities for life. Aside from using it to cook, clean, and bathe, water also plays a critical role in various physiological processes in our bodies. No wonder our body anatomy comprises up to seventy percent (70%) water.
For all these reasons, you deserve healthy, clean, and pure water available in your home and business all the time. While there are several ways to purify your water for domestic use, many people prefer installing water filtration systems to clean, purify, soften, and make their water tasty.
A plumber can install a water filter under the kitchen sink or at the countertop level in your home to ensure you have fresh and clean water for drinking. At The Expert Plumbers, we understand why water filtration systems are important investments in homes and businesses. You can count on us if you are looking for courteous and skilled plumbers in Los Angeles.
We will help you choose the best water filtration system ideal for your home and help you install it for a constant supply of fresh and clean water. Read on for everything you need to know about water filtration systems.
Understanding What a Water Filtration System is and How It Works
A water filtration system is typically any process that helps eliminate harmful solid particles of different sizes, viruses, pesticides, odors, and dust from water using a filter medium that allows only pure and clean water to pass through.
A basic water filtration system for purifying water for residential use removes impurities inside the water using fine physical barriers that block even the tiniest microscopic bacteria, allowing only clean, pure, and healthy water to pass through. The filter traps contaminants and sediments inside your water because they have a huge surface area compared to water.
Importance of Water Filtration Systems
Given the ongoing pollution problems and several factors that could contaminate your water and affect your health, investing in water filtration systems for your home and business is a decision you cannot regret. A water filtration system can provide clean, pure, and healthier water than normal tap water and is more cost-effective than bottled water.
Below are some of the benefits you will enjoy once you install a water filtration system in your home or business:
- Saves money
- Reduces the risk of illnesses and health-related problems
- Little limescale deposits
- Protection against harmful viruses and bacteria
- Reduces frequent plumbing problems
Whether the water supply in your home or business is from a neighborhood-based system or city lines, it is vital to ensure the water you consume at home is pure, healthy, and free from contaminants. Fortunately, you can tackle these problems by working with a plumber to install a water filtration system in your home.
Common Types of Water Filtration Systems
There are different types of water filters that you can use to remove contaminants and impurities from your water at home or at work. The type of water filter you install will determine the quality of the water you receive because each type will address a different water problem.
Discussed below are common types of water filters you can choose for pure and clean water in your home or business:
Mechanical Filters
Typically, the most standard and basic water filtration methods involve mechanical filters. Although they cannot eliminate chemical contaminants from the water, a mechanical filter is an excellent choice for any consumer who wants to remove dirt, particles, and sediments.
The key idea of a mechanical water filtration system is to remove these impurities from your water by flowing it through a physical barrier. A mechanical filter could be anything from a simple mesh that helps filter large particles to a glass or ceramic filter with tiny holes for filtering ultra-fine particles and pathogenic organisms.
Sometimes, plumbers recommend installing mechanical filters alongside other water filtration methods to ensure your water is healthy, tasty, and free from contaminants. Mechanical filters are a perfect choice of water filtration system if your home or business water supply contains unwanted debris or particles.
Reverse Osmosis Filters
Reverse osmosis (RO) is another excellent and effective method to purify your water at home or at work. Using an RO filtration system, you can remove several inorganic solids dissolved in your water, including calcium and magnesium ions, by forcing the contaminated water to pass through a semipermeable membrane at a certain pressure to remove or filter the impurities.
In addition, an RO filtration system can amazingly improve the taste of your water by eliminating chlorine and other unpleasant tastes. The RO filtration system is an effective method to purify your water at home.
However, in most cases, plumbers recommend combining it with other water filtration systems like mechanical and activated carbon filters to ensure your water is as pure and free from contaminants as possible. Since this process uses naturally occurring water pressure to push it through the membrane, electricity is unnecessary, making it cost-effective.
However, an RO filtration system can be expensive because it has multiple water filters, but once your plumber installs it, it will require less maintenance.
Ion Exchange Filters
As the name suggests, the ion exchange filtration system softens hard water by exchanging harmful ions like magnesium with less harmful ions like hydrogen and sodium. Since the ion exchange filtration process removes hard minerals and limescale from your water, it becomes suitable for several purposes, including washing clothes and dishes and making coffee.
However, for you to use ion exchange filters for an extended period, the sodium present in the resin should be recharged regularly to prevent it from becoming ineffective. It is also worth noting that ion exchange resin that uses sodium ions is not ideal for purifying drinking water because excessive salt (sodium) in your body could increase your chances of having cardiovascular disease.
For that reason, many homeowners prefer using ion exchange water filters that utilize hydrogen resin instead of sodium to remove contaminants from their water supply. Below are the incomparable benefits of using a water filtration system that softens water, like ion exchange filters:
- Heating water is faster, meaning energy consumption and bills will be reduced.
- Your plumbing system will stay clean and serve you for several years because there is no limescale buildup or deposits inside the pipes and plumbing fixtures.
- It makes it easy to do your laundry, bathe, and clean your dishes and appliances with less soap.
- Your appliance's life will be longer because of less wear and tear caused by limescale buildup and other corrosive substances in hard water.
Activated Carbon Filters
Also known as charcoal water filters, activated carbon filters are another option that can help purify your home's water supply. Although these filters can stand alone to purify your water, some plumbers recommend using them in a reverse osmosis water filtration process for the healthy and pure water you need for drinking and cooking.
The activated carbon (charcoal) in your water filter typically works like an electromagnet for several impurities in your water supply, allowing only pure water to pass through. When used with kitchen tap water, an activated carbon water filter can absorb or remove chlorine and other unpleasant tastes from your water, making it fresh and tasty to drink.
One notable advantage of these filters is that they are durable and do not require regular maintenance.
Sequestration Filters
Sequestration is typically the process of isolating a particular substance through chemical means. In most situations, plumbers use polyphosphate in these water filters to isolate minerals like magnesium and calcium, which cause corrosion and limescale. However, the polyphosphate is used in small quantities and works by inhibiting scale rather than removing it.
That means this inorganic salt will not soften your water. Still, instead, it works to retain the minerals in your water, preventing them from building up as limescale on your appliances and other surfaces. Since hard minerals remain in your water, sequestration filters are not ideal for several applications or water uses.
If the alkaline levels of your water supply are too high or your water is constantly at around 95 degrees Celsius or higher, ion exchange filters would be ideal for an adequate supply of soft, pure water for cleaning and washing.
Ultraviolet (UV) Sterilization Filters
If you are looking for an effective and reliable water filter for destroying microbes and bacteria in your water supply at home or work, UV sterilization filters would be perfect. However, UV filters are not an excellent choice if you are looking to purify or filter water with large pebbles or particles.
These unique filters destroy pollutants, viruses, protozoa, and bacteria in your water using UV light, making it healthy and suitable for cooking or drinking. For particle-free, clean, and tasty water, you can use UV sterilization filters in combination with other types of filters like mechanical or ion exchange filters.
Generally speaking, each water filtration system is unique and has limitations on the impurities it can eliminate from your water. For that reason, most water filtration systems or filters use a combination of different types of filters to reach a certain water purity level.
You should consult a reliable plumber if you want to change or install a new water filtration system to purify the water you use or drink at home. An experienced plumber can provide a safe, convenient, and cost-friendly solution to ensure your home's or business's water supply is dust-free, pure, and healthy.
Typical Examples of Water Filter Systems
Aside from removing impurities and harmful contaminants from your water, water filter systems can also remove unpleasant odors and tastes, which is particularly crucial for drinking water. Below are typical examples of water filters you can choose to purify your home's water supply:
Coffee Machine Filters
Clean and odorless water is necessary for a perfect and tasty cup of coffee. Normal water filtration rules are unsuitable for the coffee bean because it requires a mixture of different minerals to release its full, tasty flavor. No wonder you will find expensive espresso machinery capable of protecting and cleaning particles inside a coffee grain.
Fridge Filters
The fridge filter is another type of water filter you should know about. These filters are necessary for the filtration of the feed water when it comes to the ice mechanism and drinking water. Most commonly installed in American-style refrigerators, the compatibility and size of these filtering systems vary depending on the refrigerator's style, model, and maker.
Incline Filters
Incline water filters are positioned directly on your appliance or water line to allow water to pass through them before it comes out through its distribution points, like the dispensary unit or kitchen tap. In many households, incline filters are widely used for under-sink installation because they are small.
Once installed, incline filters can reduce many issues with city or municipal water, like bacteria, chlorine taste, and odor.
On-Counter Filters
As the name implies, on-counter filters are fitted on the counter and are connected directly to the faucet. One unique feature of these filters is that they have a switch that allows you to switch between unfiltered and filtered water.
Also known as countertop filters, countertop filters are a cost-friendly, hassle-free, and popular way to ensure pure and healthy water is available in your home with minimum work.
Commercial Food Service Water Filters
Combi ovens depend on clean, quality water to generate steam. The reaction that occurs when you heat poor-quality or contaminated water to generate hot water or steam is the primary cause of limescale deposits, which can cause unnecessary breakdown.
With so many options available on the market, finding the ideal water filter for your household needs can seem like a daunting task, but with the help of a reliable plumber, the process should be hassle-free.
An experienced plumber can help you understand how different types of water filters work and help you choose the best filter to purify your home's or business's water supply while keeping your interests and budget in mind.
Various Applications of Water Filtration Systems in Industries
Many industries rely on water filtration systems for the following reasons:
They Help Protect Equipment
In the manufacturing industry, the water filtration process can help protect the comprehensive and expensive machinery and equipment used. Without a filtration system, unwanted particles or foreign objects can enter the system, leading to mechanical breakdown and increased wear and tear.
They Help Purify Gasses and Fluids
Water filtration systems also help keep fluids like chemicals, water, and gasses clean and free from contaminants and unwanted particles to ensure the end product obtained is as pure as possible.
They Help Reduce Safety and Health Hazards
Water filtration systems can also help lessen the cross-contamination of health hazards that can arise in a workplace. These systems can help separate potentially hazardous materials from the liquid or each other, helping your industry comply with the quality and safety standards required by the Environmental Health and Safety Agencies.
They Help Improve Efficiency in Mechanical Operations
Water filtration systems help improve efficiency in mechanical procedures that deal with liquids or fluids. For instance, when pumping oil up from deep in the ground using oil rigs, debris, and soil should be filtered because they affect the performance of pressure systems.
Factors to Consider Before Installing an Industrial Water Filtration System
Several manufacturing companies and industries rely on water filtering systems in food manufacturing, waste treatment, and pharmaceutical processing. When selecting the ideal water filtering system for your manufacturing company, here are some factors you should consider:
The Size of Particles You Want to Filter
The size of particles or contaminants you want to remove from your water will determine the type of filtration system you will use in your factory or industry because water filters also vary in size.
Chemical Compatibility
The overall stability obtained after mixing two substances can help quantify chemical compatibility. Generally speaking, compatible substances will not produce any visible results when mixed. However, incompatible substances will undergo noticeable physical and chemical changes when mixed.
Hence, when looking for an appropriate water filtering system for your industry, it is important to consider whether the filter and the substances are chemically compatible. If the filter you choose is chemically incompatible with the liquid flowing through it, it will likely wear out and degrade quickly.
Operating Conditions
Operating conditions like temperature and the atmospheric pressure of the location where you will install the filter are also important considerations when selecting an industrial water filtering system. Doing this is important because some filters have materials that will likely crumble when exposed to certain temperatures or pressure levels.
Find a Plumber Near Me
Once you install a water filter system in your home, you and your family can access clean, pure, healthy water for drinking and other uses. However, with so many choices and options on the market, selecting a suitable water filtration system for your home or business can seem challenging and overwhelming, especially if it is your first time needing one.
That is where the services of a plumber come in. An experienced plumber can help you select a suitable water filtration system that suits your budget and meets your needs. If you need to invest in a water filtration system in your home, business, or industry, reliable and experienced plumbers at The Expert Plumbers are here for you.
We will educate you about water filter systems and help you in the installation process to ensure you and your loved ones have access to the clean, tasty, and healthy water you deserve. Call us at (510) 250-1880 to schedule a consultation with our courteous plumbers, wherever you are in Los Angeles.
