What Is Whole-House Filtration, and How Does It Work?

July 12, 2021

If you’ve decided you want to implement a water filtration system in your home, knowing where to start can seem daunting. There’s a seemingly infinite amount of water filtration systems that use several different methods and are equipped for a wide variety of water delivery systems.

But no matter where your water comes from, you can’t go wrong with a whole-house water filtration system. A whole-house water filter purifies all the water that comes into your home and treats it before it comes out of any faucet, showerhead or laundry hose. Here’s what whole-house filtration is and how it works.

What is a whole-house water filtration system?

A whole-house water filter is placed wherever the main water line is located on your home. Its main goal is to remove any contaminants that got into the water as it was being transported to your property. As mentioned above, the “whole-house” element means all water lines and faucets receive treated water. This means you don’t have to bathe or wash your dishes or clothes in less-than-pure water.

How does a whole-house water filtration system work?

A whole-house water filter is fairly straightforward and operates in three steps. These steps are for an activated carbon water filter:

  • Pre-filtering: One reason to use a whole-house water filtration system is to remove any sediment from the water flowing into your home. The pre-filter process aims to do just that. Any larger particles or contaminants (around 5 microns in size) will be strained during this process. This will save your pipes, plumbing fixtures and appliances from unnecessary wear and tear. You’ll likely have to replace the pre-filter every two months.
  • Water filtration: Most water is treated with chlorine to purify it. Chlorine or chloramines are put in water to kill any viruses, parasites or bacteria. While drinking water with trace amounts of chlorine doesn’t have significant health risks, the gas along with any other volatile organic compounds (VOCs) can be released into the air when the water is heated up (like when you shower, for example). The main filter being activated at this stage is a carbon filter. It will not only remove chlorine and chloramines and the associated taste and smell, but it will also remove other pollutants. These contaminants include mercury, lead, nickel, copper, herbicides and certain pesticides.
  • Post-filtering: In the unlikely event that any contaminants slipped through the pre-filtering and water filtration stages, the post-filter is there at the end to catch them. Any remaining particles are filtered out, and your water is good to go. You’ll only need to replace the post-filter every six months.

Call about your whole-house water filtration system

While treated water is good, water that passes through a whole-house water filter is even better. If you would like to discuss a whole-house water filtration system, give us a call at WES Water. Our experts understand how much of a difference purified water can make when it’s used throughout your home, and we’d love nothing more than for you to experience it, because you and your family deserve the purest water that’s scientifically possible. Reach out to learn more during an initial consultation!

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