The primary water source into your house can be direct from a water facility owned by the government or companies for public use or even a private well. The idea of a private well gives you control over your water source, including being in charge and ensuring effectiveness.
Private well water sources also mean you’re in charge of purifying the water you use, and one of the most efficient means to treat the water from a well entering your house is the whole-house water filter. Whole house water filters treat the water from the mainline, so all the outlets, from the shower to the kitchen sink, bring out clean water.
Whole-house water filter installation is typically more cumbersome than point-of-use filters due to the large pipes and complicated systems involved. However, a DIYer can install whole house water filters with the right guide. Installing these water filters varies depending on the water source, so we’ve compiled this article describing the steps to add a whole-house water filter to a well.
What You Need?
Fixing whole-water filters to wells with the right tools and materials makes the process easy, usually taking less than three hours. Before you jump to adding this filter, get all the required materials.
- Pipe cutter: The tool is specifically for cutting pipes which will then allow you to install the whole-house filter
- Screwdriver: You can tighten or loosen screws using the screwdriver that matches the screw head
- Drill machine: The drill and drill bits are perfect for creating holes, especially for mounting the filter’s base plate
- Teflon tape: It is sometimes called plumbers tape and is a thin white tape wrapped around pipe threads to make threading tighter and seal the joint
- Bucket: This will gather water droplets from the pipes while you work. Even after shutting off the valves, it is common to have still water dripping from some pies, which is why a bucket is vital
- Adjustable wrenches: With adjustable wrenches, you can grip the pipes while working, which can make tightening or loosening the pipes relatively easy
- Whole-house filter
- Shut off valves
- Extension ladder
- Slip joint push fittings
- Bypass filter
- Balancing wheel
Steps to Install a Whole-House Water Filter on a Well
Most whole-house water systems are designed with DIY installation in mind so that DIYers can install the filter without needing professionals. Before you go ahead with the installation, it is pertinent that you follow a concise guide as this to avoid costly mistakes.
Step 1: Test The Water
Test the healthy water using any of the available water testing kits to know the impurities type and the best whole-house filtration method to employ. Employing a scattergun approach and hoping it works will cost you money and time, so focusing on the pollutants is better.
Water from the well usually contains organic residue, sand, and sometimes minerals and chemicals from nearby farms or contaminated water bodies. After testing, select the filtration system that removes the impurities in your well.
Step 2: Select The Location
The first step to successfully adding a whole-house filter to a well is selecting the correct location. Whole-house filters are installed at the main water line entering the house, but even that line has different locations that can affect the filter’s effectiveness. How do you choose the correct place to fix the filter?
Different factors determine the correct position to place the whole house filter. Ideally, the best location is close to the main shut-off valve, but this is not set in stone, as you can adjust accordingly. You should fix the filter with enough room underneath to easily replace the whole-house filter cartridge when it loses effectiveness.
Installing the filter safely away from harsh weather will prolong the filter’s lifespan. Connect the filter before the water enters any compartment, including the storage tank or water softener chamber. Placing the filter close to the main shut-off valve, usually found just outside the house or in your basements, makes it easy to shut off for repairs or filter replacements.
Step 3: Switch Off Main Water Supply
Before you make any cuts, you should switch off the water supply from the main line, which is the pipe taking water into the house. You’ll usually find the shut-off valve in garages and basements outside your home.
Once you locate the shut-off valve, turn it to shut the water and prevent dames to your walls and floors due to the water. Turning the valve clockwise will typically shut it off, but this may vary, so check the water before proceeding.
Step 4: Depressurize The System
Even after correctly shutting off the main water line into the house, the pipes will still be highly pressurized and pose a significant threat. Remove pipe pressure to 0 Psi to prevent accidents by allowing water to flow from every faucet. The high-pressurized water in the pipes will flow out, and you can proceed with the following steps.
Step 5: Cut The Pipe
Place your bucket under your chosen pipe location along the main line. You want to cut out the pipe so the filter can fit. Here, precision is essential as you don’t want to cut out a bigger chunk than will accommodate the whole-house filter.
First, measure the filter dimension and mark the figure on the main water line. While ensuring utmost accuracy, cut the pipe using the pipe cutter. To improve your accuracy, place the cutter on the marked spot on the pipe and tighten it using the twist handle so the blades are perfectly in line with the marked spots. Mini pipe cutters are helpful in areas with minimal space; however, this begs whether the position is suitable for the filtration unit.
Step 6: Install Shut-Off And Bypass Valves (Optional)
If you want to create a separate channel to continue using water when the filter is undergoing maintenance, the bypass valve is the way to go. Turning on the valve will allow water to bypass the filter and move straight into the house.
Depending on your system, you can quickly fix the shut-off and bypass valves on the inlet and outlet pipes. You’ll need to install two shut-off valves on either side of the system and a shut-off valve on the bypass line. Other fittings, like the Tees, used to connect the main water line to the inlet and outlet ports are just as important as the filter.
Step 7: Install Other Fittings
Put the small end of a compression nut on any pipe ends you cut before sliding the ferrule over it and repeating the process on the other pipe end. Ensure to use Teflon tapes on every thread to prevent leaks. Follow the manufacturer’s idea to install snug fittings on the pipes.
Step 8: Install The Whole-House Water Filter
To install the filter, connect the inlet valve to the main line and the outlet valve to the line taking water into the house. Remember that the port closer to the water meter is the inlet, while the outlet points to the water heater. This arrangement is vital for optimum filter performance.
Step 9: Turn The Water Back On And Inspect
You can turn on the water from the main water supply to check for leaks. Slowly turn on the valve to regulate the pressure entering the pipes. Check the fittings for leakages and tighten loose ends.
Step 10: Flush The System
After ensuring no leakages on all fittings, you can flush the filtration system. To do this, allow the filtration system to get used to the pressure. Add chlorine to the filter chamber and turn on all the faucets in the house, leaving it for about 30 minutes to remove air bubbles and dirt, sanitize the pipes, and restore the water pressure to the ideal number.
Tips on Maintaining Whole-House Water Filter on a Well
After installation, many people neglect the filter until it damages before looking for ways to fix it. Here are helpful tips to make the installation process easier:
- Flush the filter frequently and replace ineffective filter cartridges. Please find out how long the whole-house water filter lasts so you can replace it when due
- Frequently test the water even after installing a whole-house filter, so you know when the water is contaminated
Factors to Consider When Choosing Whole-House Well Water Filter
Several factors affect your decision on the most suitable filter to use. Here are some of the most common factors that can alter your decision about whole-house filters:
- Flow rate: the speed at which water flows through the pipes and is calculated by how much water the filter can clean per minute. Filters with higher flow rates are critical in large houses.
- Cost of replacement filters: You may need to replace the filters after twelve months, which means buying new filters. The cost of these new filters can affect your decision.
- Micron rating: this is the smallest particle a filter can remove, which typically determines how effective that filter will be in removing sediments and residues, among other contaminants. The smaller the micron rating, the more effective it is in eliminating contaminants
- Type of contaminant: testing the water will show you the contaminants you need to rid the water of and will direct you toward the filters with such abilities
Summary
Installing a whole-house water filter on a well is easy with the correct tool and process. This guide contains all you need, even as a beginner, to complete the project in under three hours.