Is It Time for a Water Filtration System?

We use water every single day. We use it for showering, cooking our food, washing our clothes, watering our plants and cleaning our homes. But most importantly, we drink it to stay hydrated and healthy, which is why it must be clean. Most people drink chlorine-treated water that has passed through a water treatment facility. Despite these precautions, water can still pick up chemicals, bacteria and other harmful contaminants along the way to your tap. This can also be true if your water comes from a private well.

Some people choose to use filtered water pitchers or filtration devices that connect directly to their tap. However, these require frequent filling and filter changes. Installing a water filtration system is a great way to not only ensure the water used in your home is clean and pure but also saves you time and money in the long run.

Water Filtration Systems

Water filtration systems are a great way to enhance your water quality and make it easier to access clean, refreshing water on the daily. Not only that, but they provide additional benefits by removing harmful contaminants and other impurities. Not all water filtration systems are made the same, though.

To find the right water filtration system for you, let’s take a look at the different types available on the market:

• Activated Carbon This is one of the most common and least expensive types of water filter. Activated carbon filtration systems are usually installed under the sink. They work via a process called adsorption, whereby the pore structure of carbon particles trap contaminants. Carbon filters are most effective at removing chlorine, sediment and other organic compounds. These are an excellent option for homeowners looking to replace their filtered pitcher in the fridge.
• Ion Exchange (water softeners) This type of system uses a resin tank filled with tiny beads that are covered in salt ions (sodium or potassium). As the water flows through the beads, hardness ions (calcium and magnesium) trade places with the salt ions. Over time, the beads become exhausted and are recharged by adding salt to the tank.
• Reverse Osmosis This is considered the most effective filtering process. Reverse osmosis works by using a high-pressure pump to force the water through a semi-permeable membrane. This process is capable of removing up to 99% of dissolved minerals, particles and bacteria.
• Distillation Distillation is the most natural way to purify your water. This process involves boiling water to make it safe to drink. When the water is boiled, it evaporates into vapor and is then condensed, becoming distilled drinking water. Distillation eliminates organic and inorganic chemicals as well as heavy metals, much like reverse osmosis. It also kills all bacteria that can make you sick. The drinking water this process produces also passes EPA standards.
• Ultraviolet Disinfection Ultraviolet (UV) disinfection is the most effective way to kill waterborne bacteria. UV disinfection is also a natural way to clean your water of microorganisms because it doesn’t use any chemicals during the process.

Big Benefits

In addition to providing you and your family with clean drinking water, home water filtration systems come with additional benefits. Cleaner water means fewer chemicals and minerals, benefiting your hair and skin. Hard water has a tendency to pull moisture from skin and hair, resulting in dry, itchy and irritated skin, along with dry and discolored hair.

Clean water can also improve the lifespan of your household appliances. Your washing machine, shower and bath, dishwasher, and even plumbing system enjoy clean water. This is because added minerals and chemicals from unfiltered water can quickly build up, damaging pipes and appliances.

Selecting a System

When it comes to selecting the right home water filtration system, there are several important things to consider:

• What contaminants are you most concerned about or impacting your area of residence?
• How many people live in your home and will regularly use the system?
• How often are you willing to change filters and maintain the system?
• What is your budget?

All of these questions and more can be discussed with our water filtration experts at Bradley Mechanical. We’ll test your water and help you identify the harmful contaminants that could be hiding in it and base our recommendations off of the results. Our plumbing experts can also help you decide on the best way to protect the water you use.

We offer many different water filtration products and systems to fit your needs and budget. If you have concerns about the quality of your water, give Bradley Mechanical a call today.