Overview
Municipal water meets safety standards, yet plenty of households dislike the pool-like smell from disinfectant or want fewer dissolved minerals in their coffee and ice. Each type of filter targets something different, so we start by asking what bugs you about the water now.
Whole-house carbon filtration improves taste and odor at every tap and shower. Under-sink filters give better drinking water at the kitchen for less money. Reverse osmosis removes the most, with a dedicated faucet and small storage tank. We can tie any of them to a fridge or ice maker.
How we handle it
Decide the goal
Taste, odor, minerals or all three.
Pick the system
Whole house, under sink or reverse osmosis.
Install and train
Hooked up, tested and filter schedule explained.
What it costs
A cartridge unit under the kitchen sink is the budget pick. Reverse osmosis runs higher because it needs a drain tie-in and room for its storage tank. Whole-home setups depend on capacity and how easy the main line is to reach.
Good to know
- Mark filter change dates on your calendar.
- Run a new filter for a few minutes to flush carbon fines.
- Keep a spare cartridge on hand.
Pairing a softener with reverse osmosis at the kitchen is the most popular setup we install in northwest side homes. One handles hardness, the other drinking water.
Water filtration systems questions
How often are filters changed?
Most under-sink cartridges every 6 to 12 months.
Can you connect to my refrigerator?
Yes, in most cases.
Does reverse osmosis waste water?
Some, to flush the membrane. Newer units use much less.
Do filters remove hardness?
Carbon filters do not. Reverse osmosis removes much of it at one tap, and a softener handles the whole house.