Your city’s water system filters a great deal of chemicals, particles, and biological contaminates out of the source of its water before it gets to your home. But, while the amount filtered might be up to the McKinney’s standards, it might not be up to your own. Water that reaches your McKinney property will still have some impurities (or smells) in it, or even carry chemicals like chlorine which is added during the filtration process. Here is a link to the North Texas water municipality to learn about specific information.
Since municipalities in Texas filter water in different ways, not every water filtration system is going to be a great match for your family. If you want to research it further, your city should have an annual water quality report available that will tell you all about what can be found in your water. If you already have an idea of what you are hoping to filter though, there are many options available on the market. Before you start reading deep reviews on individual units, the following breakdown should help you in starting to narrow down your search. Better yet, most people search for a “plumber near me” who understands the local water.
Not all Water Filters are Equal
Countertop Filters: Counter top water filters attach to your faucet at the point where the water comes out. They take up little space, are typically more affordable than other options out there, and are easy to install. Screw them on, and they are ready! Because of this, it is not completely unrealistic to get multiple units for different faucets on your home.
On the other hand, counter top units have some negative qualities. First off, they do not filter water as effectively as other systems. You are likely able to get more pure drinking water from an under-sink filter. Additionally, they are highly visible, which might be a nuisance for you. They also limit your water flow, which can be an issue at times.
Under-sink Filters: Under-sink water filters cost a bit more than countertop filters, but they are way more effective in filtering. These systems usually have ‘stages’ where particulates are removed (pesticides, chlorines, arsenic, bacteria, sulphates, fluoride, lead, heavy metals, etc.). Some units will even add minerals like calcium, potassium, and magnesium back into your drinking water after the filtration process, which can help restore its taste. Under-sink units also typically have a holding tank, so they can produce a higher quantity of filtered water than a countertop unit.
Like with anything in life there are tradeoffs. The filters will need to be changed every 6-12 months, which is a continual cost for these kinds of systems. Additionally, under-sink units take up a decent amount of space. Because of this, if you do not have a lot of room under your countertop, they can be hard to install. There are ways to address this, like placing the filter in your basement, but this takes additional work when you are setting them up in your home.
Whole House Filter Systems: The biggest advantage to a whole house water filter system is that it filters water for your whole house, no matter what faucet you are using. While some basic units only address water ‘hardness’ and water sediments, other systems will remove some chemicals like chlorine. Systems are potentially expensive, though they are low maintenance. If you are looking to get a unit installed, they can do a good job in increasing the quality of the water in your home.
Negatively, whole house water filters do not typically filter water to the extent that a countertop or under-sink unit does. You will also have to pay a lot of attention to how much they might restrict water pressure to your showers. They also only filter water that is on the inside of your home. So, if you are looking for a solution that helps with external faucets, a whole house water filter is not going to help.
Looking for Help Installing a Water Filter?
Depending on your level of comfort, you can potentially install under-sink units, or even whole house water filters without help. If you do not feel like you are able to, or have gotten half way into an install and have realized you might need a little ‘professional intervention’, we are here for you. Hey, water filters can be a crazy mix of tubes, containers, and valves. That said, our licensed plumbers at Hackler Plumbing have seen it all. You can checkout our online plumbing reviews, here. Call today for a free estimate. We guarantee you will not be disappointed with our service.
