How Do Water Filters Work: The Complete Guide

Are you interested in having a water filter installed? Call Babe Plumbing at (507) 418-8387 to get started!

Water is the most integral element in sustaining life on Earth. As a human, your body mostly consists of water. Water covers nearly three-fourths of our planet’s surface.

However, not all water provides equal benefits. While treated tap water sets the standard for most Americans, it can still contain contaminants that harm your health and household. So many homeowners install water filters to obtain healthy drinking water.

But how do water filters work? Plunge into the mechanics with Mankato’s water filtration services below.

Here's How Water Filters Work

Most municipal water systems effectively remove most contaminants during the treatment process. However, no treatment process is perfect, so numerous particles may still make their way into your tap water.

These particles can affect the taste and smell of your water. They may also collect in and damage your plumbing system. Some can even affect your health through prolonged consumption.

Water filters pick up the slack by removing any particles the treatment process might miss, including:

• Hard minerals
• Bacteria and viruses
• Heavy metals
• Chemical runoff from fertilizers and pesticides

As water moves through the filter, the filter’s components trap missed particles resulting in clean water. 

Types of Water Filters

Not all water filtration systems work in the same way or remove the same particles. First, you need a water analysis from a professional plumbing service to find out what your tap water contains. From there, you can decide which water filter works best for your home.

Most homes have one of four main types of water filters:

• Reverse osmosis
• Distillation
• Activated carbon
• Ion exchange

So, how do water filters work? Dive into each filter’s details below. 

Reverse Osmosis

The term “osmosis” might sound familiar to you. It refers to a process through which a pure fluid passes through a membrane that only accommodates that fluid.

For example, you have a bucket filled with water.

You place another smaller bucket containing salt water inside the larger bucket. Osmosis occurs because the smaller bucket only allows pure water to move through its materials. The saltwater can’t escape the small bucket’s walls since it contains a mineral.

However, the pure water in the larger bucket can seep into the smaller one. If you wanted to extract the water without the salt, you’d use reverse osmosis. You’d use forceful pressure to push the water back through the smaller bucket, extracting the salt from the water as it escapes.

A reverse osmosis water filter works similarly. It uses intense pressure to push the water through its filter, effectively removing impurities. 

Distillation

Distillation is a simple but effective method for removing impurities from tap water. Many people boil water to remove impurities, but boiling only does so much.

During the distillation process, the distiller collects steam from the boiling water.

When the water cools off, it returns to its liquid form. Since many particles have a higher boiling point than water, the boiling process removes them from the clean water found in steam. While distillation removes numerous contaminants, some still boil at a lower or similar temperature as the water.

Thus, you could still have some unwanted particles remaining in your water. 

Activated Carbon

Many homeowners install an activated carbon filter that works by allowing water to filter through a layer of activated charcoal. Since charcoal has a porous surface that traps many particles, it effectively removes several contaminants from your drinking water.

However, an activated carbon filter still allows hard particles like minerals and heavy metals to pass through. This leads to mineral buildup in your plumbing system and continued exposure to certain toxins. If your water analysis reveals hard substances in your tap water, you should couple your activated carbon system with specific carbon filters that handles these substances. 

Ion Exchange

An ion exchange filter works by capturing and splitting the atoms of contaminants. The parts of an atom are called ions. Once the filter captures these ions, it releases its own set of ions into the water.

Therefore, it exchanges harmful ions with neutral or beneficial ions. Ion exchange filters work well for homes with hard water. Most ion exchange filters contain zeolite beads that have a strong attraction to the minerals commonly found in hard water.

The zeolite beads release sodium ions as they trap ions from magnesium and calcium. 

When to Replace the Water Filter

Every now and again, you should replace your filter cartridge. Cartridges lose their effectiveness with continued use. As they collect more contaminants, they lose the capability to continue removing them.

Water filter replacement depends on the type of system you use and how many particles it filters. A water quality analysis will help you pinpoint the specifics, but you should replace your water filter every four to six months. 

Which Is Better: Bottled Water or Filtered Water?

Many homeowners use bottled water in lieu of tap water. They often fall under the misconception that bottled water is both safer and more cost-effective than tap water. However, bottled water causes numerous problems.

Bottled water often uses resources and practices that harm the environment. For instance, most plastic ends up in a landfill. Additionally, people may litter when they can’t access a convenient trash can.

Thus, water bottles take up more space and cause more damage than a water filtration system. Water filters are usually more cost-effective over time than constantly purchasing water bottles. Plus, professional filtration technicians can help you choose a system that treats your tap water based on its contents via a detailed water analysis.

Overall, filtered water is a better, more environmentally friendly solution than bottled water.   

Choose Water Filter Installation Services from Babe Plumbing

How do water filters work? Our filtration technicians at Babe Plumbing are happy to demonstrate and install the perfect system for your home. Call us at (507) 418-8387 to learn more about water purification services from a https://www.babeplumbing.com/ trusted plumber. 

Author Bio:

Jeff Jordan and Anne Jordan

The wizards at Babe Plumbing. With synchronized finesse, they flawlessly orchestrate service excellence, transforming appointment chaos into a harmonious symphony of plumbing solutions, leaving customers impressed and ever-grateful for their unrivaled coordination.