Considering a whole home water filtration system? Congrats! You’re about to embark on one of the most impactful investment journeys in your family’s daily life. Bonus! It’ll improve your home’s infrastructure, too.
Whether you’re tired of dealing with hard water stains on your fixtures, concerned about contaminants in your drinking water, or want softer skin or hair…a whole home system does more than just clean your water. It protects your appliances, improves your bathing experience, and can even extend the life of your plumbing.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything from understanding different filtration technologies to selecting the right system for your specific needs, ensuring you have all the information needed to make an informed decision about this significant home improvement.
Your Water Source
A home’s water source generally comes from two places: municipal water systems and private well systems. Municipal water is managed by local government authorities, ensuring consistent quality through regular testing, treatment, and monitoring. This centralized approach typically provides reliable access to treated water that meets federal safety standards.
Private well systems, including community or neighborhood wells, operate independently from municipal infrastructure. Each home may operate its own private well, or a neighborhood may have a well system comprising multiple wells and storage tanks to serve multiple residences.
Well water is sourced from underground aquifers, which result in a naturally higher mineral content than surface water sources. While this water typically requires fewer chemical treatments, its quality can fluctuate based on environmental conditions. These systems also depend on electric pumps, making them vulnerable to power outages without backup generators.
While both sources can benefit from filtration systems, homes with wells more commonly install filtration systems to help reduce the naturally higher mineral contents.
Under Sink vs Whole Home Filtration Systems
The next thing you’ll need to decide before beginning the journey of filtering your home’s water is whether you need a whole-home water filtration system or an under the sink system. Understanding the distinction between filtration system types is crucial when evaluating water treatment options for your home. Here’s the difference, of both:
- Whole-home water filtration systems: Also known as point-of-entry (POE) systems, treat water at its main entry point into your residence, ensuring that every outlet—from faucets and showerheads to appliances—delivers filtered water. This comprehensive approach is particularly beneficial for properties experiencing widespread water quality issues that affect daily life.
- Under the sink: In contrast, point-of-use (POU) systems, such as under-sink filters, provide targeted filtration at specific locations. These localized solutions are ideal for households with minimal water concerns or those primarily focused on improving water quality for specific purposes, such as drinking and food preparation in the kitchen.
It’s important to note that whole-home filtration systems and under-the-sink systems serve distinctly different purposes from water softeners, which specifically address water hardness, not filtration.
Common Water Issues Filtration Helps
A well-designed water filtration system can address numerous water quality concerns affecting your health and daily living experience. Here are the primary water quality challenges that filtration systems effectively address:
- Presence of particulate matter and sediment: Visible particles in your water—ranging from sand and silt to rust and debris—can make water appear cloudy or discolored.
- Presence of chemical compounds: Modern water supplies can contain various chemical compounds, including chlorine, chloramines, pesticides, and industrial chemicals. Even when chlorine-based chemicals are intentionally added to municipal water for disinfection, they can impart unpleasant tastes and odors, dry out skin and hair, and potentially create harmful byproducts.
- Presence of microorganisms: Bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms can contaminate water supplies, particularly in well systems or during municipal system failures.
- Presence of heavy metals: Common metals like lead, copper, and mercury can leach into water from aging pipes or natural deposits. These contaminants pose significant health risks, particularly for children and pregnant women.
But that’s not all the benefits…in addition to clearing your water of harmful contaminants installing a water filtration system Detroit homeowners will also provide benefits such as:
- Appliance protection: By reducing scale buildup throughout your home’s plumbing network and fixtures, the system helps maintain optimal water flow and prevents the costly damage that mineral accumulation can cause over time.
- Enhanced daily living: A whole home filtration system delivers better-tasting water, ensures spot-free dishes, promotes healthier skin and hair, and improves cleaning efficiency by optimizing soap effectiveness throughout your home.
- Environmental impact: For sustainability purposes, reduce your home’s environmental impact by eliminating the need for bottled water, minimizing chemical exposure, and improving appliance efficiency with a whole-home filtration system.
Whole Home Water Filtration System Pros & Cons
Before investing in a whole home water filtration system, it’s essential to carefully weigh its advantages and limitations against your specific needs and circumstances. While these systems offer comprehensive water treatment solutions, they represent a significant investment that requires thoughtful consideration.
Here’s an extensive list of pros and cons to consider when deciding on whether or not to install a whole home filtration system Detroit homeowners.
Pros
- Treats all water entering your home
- Provides filtered water to every outlet and appliance
- Creates a unified solution for multiple water issues
- Reduces appliance repair and replacement frequency
- Decreases the need for bottled water
- Extends the lifespan of plumbing fixtures
- Ensures safe, clean water for drinking and cooking
- Reduces skin and hair issues from harsh chemicals
- Eliminates concerns about contaminated water in showers
- Provides better-tasting and odor-free water throughout the home
- Centralizes filtration maintenance to one system
- Requires less frequent filter changes than multiple point-of-use systems
- Adds to home resale value
- Appeals to potential buyers
- Demonstrates home infrastructure investment
Cons
- Higher upfront costs compared to point-of-use systems
- Professional installation typically required
- Possible plumbing modifications needed
- Requires adequate space for system placement
- May need electrical modifications for certain systems
- Could require permits and compliance with local codes
- Potential disruption during installation
- Regular filter replacements necessary
- Professional servicing may be needed
- System monitoring and adjustments required
- Potential increased water pressure considerations
- May reduce water pressure in some homes
The Final Word: Water Filtration System Detroit
Seeking professional help for installing water filtration systems Detroit? Have no fear, WaterWork Plumbing is here! For nearly 20 years, we’ve been helping Metro Detroit with emergency plumbing repairs, preventative maintenance, and plumbing improvements like installing whole home filtration systems.
Contact our team today to schedule a service or consultation. Before you go, check out our resources page for even more educational guides, tips, and tricks for troubleshooting common plumbing issues or learning how to prevent catastrophic emergencies.