Flow-through water filters: subtleties of choice

The issue of water quality from the tap bothers many. After all, it is known that water from the central water supply system cannot be called clean. So, running water is unsafe. Responsibility for its quality, and therefore their health, many assume. Entrepreneurial vendors offer a wide variety of devices that may be useful or ineffective. Consider the subtleties of choosing a system of flow filtration

The design of flow-through filtration is rather complicated. Such systems provide multi-stage complex purification. Therefore, a properly installed system has a very high efficiency.

If flow filtration is of high quality, it helps purify water from such contaminants as:

• sand and rust;
• salt.

A good filter also improves the quality of hard water. Thus, the need to acquire a softener completely disappears. Hard water, as it is known, is becoming a frequent cause of breakdowns of household appliances, as lime deposits are formed because of it.

Prototniki conventionally divided into several large groups. Consider these types in more detail. Each system has its own advantages and disadvantages.

Installing several different options on the same line will provide multi-stage water purification from most of the known impurities. You can easily pick up devices according to your needs.

Many of the difficulties associated with installation are among the negative qualities of flow filtration. It is even difficult to think of the installation site on your own, so that the filters clean the entire volume of water entering the house. Also refer to the negative qualities and the fact that these units are mainly bulk and massive.Although if you must ensure the purity of water suitable for drinking and cooking, it is enough to install a small device that fits easily under a classic sink.

The disadvantages of such devices - in complex maintenance. It is not enough just to install the unit and forget about it. Flow-through filters require periodic cleaning of accumulated litter and sediment.

If a small flow filter is installed on the entire volume of incoming water, this causes a rapid clogging of the system. The place for the volume system is not always possible to find, especially if the apartment is small-sized.

You should also understand that the most efficient filter will cause a decrease in operating pressure. Head pressure decreases due to increased resistance, which is sure to occur. The decrease in pressure can be overlooked if it is sufficient in the system. If pressure is not enough, this parameter becomes especially significant.

Experts divide existing types into two main ones:

• flow;
• flow trunk.

The first option is selected in the apartment for the purification of cold water. The second option is suitable for private facilities, equipped with both central supply and local well. When choosing devices it is worth considering that there are differences for hot and cold water. Therefore, water filters to the cottage rough cleaning is often cheaper.

The main difference between the systems is that some samples are installed in the pipeline and have the ability to clean a large volume of water. Conventional flow systems are mounted either on the mixer or on the pipes in front of it.

Flow filtration classification includes:

• classic jug;
• accessories for the mixer;
• components for washing;
• device that is mounted under the sink;
• reverse osmosis system;
• membrane filters.

The classic jug and additions to the mixer relate to a rough water purification. Components for a mixer or sink can prevent the entry of mechanical particles and molecular components. The most reliable systems include filtration by reverse osmosis. In the system, water is successfully purified from impurities and saturated with useful minerals. The disadvantages of this system include high cost, as well as difficulty in installation.

A large number of devices include a class of conventional flow filters. For example, there are models of mechanical cleaning.

They, in turn, are subdivided into several types:

• sorption;
• big;
• ionic.

Make the right choice of components will help only a specialist. It is difficult to determine the complete set of parts that will precisely provide softening of hard water, its ionization, as well as additional purification. Often, experts advise to organize several branches of pipelines. Installing those or other components can give a certain effect.

The main filters are mesh, which provide a rough cleaning. From the water entering the house, mechanical pollution will disappear, which is important for housing with outdated communications.

Disk Trunk Filtration cleans more finely. Sorption cartridges can be used in these devices. But the net itself of polymer discs picks up small particles of dirt. At the same time, the filters themselves are easier to clean compared to other product variants.

Types of trunk filtering are:

• single stage;
• two-stage;
• three-step.

For a flow filter, various cartridges can be used. Due to this, chemical treatment of water is achieved. If the cartridge is granulated or with activated carbon, it will remove chlorine particles and heavy metal impurities. The effect of such a cartridge is marked as effective, but when it is installed, the device will reduce the capacity of the highway.

Carbon filters are briquetted. Their use will eliminate not only chlorine impurities, but also various chemical compounds, as well as destroy some microorganisms.The capacity of these cartridges is higher than that of the previous variants, but the cleaning efficiency is estimated by experts as low.

Polyphosphate filling cartridges soften water and rid it of salts. Such a cartridge will successfully cope with the protection of technology from scale. Only install such a unit is necessary taking into account the content of chemicals in the water. For example, a BA-type filter will relieve excess iron, and a BS cartridge will reduce stiffness.

Filter elements have a feature in a few minutes to pass from 2 to 5 liters of water. With rational consumption of this volume is sufficient for daily consumption. If the filters need to clean a larger volume of water, it is worth paying attention not to the size of the device, but to the cell volume of the carbon cartridge.

Filter options may vary:

• the type and dimensions of the case;
• fastener diameter;
• the necessary degree of purification;
• cartridge type;
• hydraulic features.

The Geyser Jumbo Prototator is a small but powerful trunk-type device. It fits under the classic sink of urban housing.Hydraulic feature of the filter "Geyser" - 1.2-1.8 cu. hours. The device is capable of processing about 3 m3 of water per hour.

The body part is a high-strength plastic flask. The cartridge inside must be cleaned mechanically, its base is foamed polypropylene. A device is considered effective if it periodically requires cleaning from dirt, litter and insoluble parts.

The rating of the best models standardly includes Aquaphor flow filters. Kristall devices are an ergonomic complex of multistage water purification. Aquaphor systems are successfully used both in urban high-rise buildings and in private homes.

"Aquaphor Crystal" purifies water at a rate of 2 l / min from chlorine impurities, sediments, and other components. The resource capacity of the filter cartridge is 6000 liters. At the same time after the expiration of the resource the filter will continue to effectively protect your household appliances from scale, which is often formed when boiling.

The “Barrier” company prototype is a universal complex for cleaning cold tap water. With the installation of the system, the main harmful particles will be excluded from it, since the system is 3-step.

The performance of the device - 2 liters per minute. Resource installed cartridges - 10,000 liters. It will not be difficult to replace used cartridges, since no tools are needed for this work. The approximate period of uninterrupted operation of the device is about six months.

To determine the type of filter suitable for your case, you need to know the quality of the water. At the same time, keep in mind that it will differ not only in each house, but also in each apartment. The difference is connected not only with the source from which the water supply comes, but also from many other factors.

In particular, if the water supply in the apartment is old and rusty, then there will be impurities of iron in the water. If the pipes are plastic, but they have not been cleaned for a long time, there will be bacterial contamination in the water, which is fraught with various diseases.

To accurately determine the desired filtration system, it is best to get water from the tap in the bottle and go to the regional SES. The results of the free study will have to wait several weeks. Paid services of various testing centers are provided in a shorter time.

To simplify the selection, you can subdivide this task into steps:

• filter type selection;
• the choice of the manufacturer;
• model selection.

Usually filtering devices have an external similarity. However, the internal "filling" of the products is different.

Standard flow system modules are:

• mechanical cleaning;
• universal;
• for hard water;
• for water with a large number of metal particles;
• antibacterial.

The standard choice for urban housing is a filter for washing. Less commonly, a self-cleaning chlorine cleaner is mounted on the faucet. In a private house, for example, the so-called jug is hardly chosen. The best options for it are those that have high productivity, and this is a mesh or oil filter for a washing machine.

If the water is hard, you will need:

• mechanical cleaning;
• sorption purification with activated carbon;
• iron removal of water.

With an increased amount of iron content, it is sometimes better to completely abandon the processors, otherwise the system will become clogged too often. The reverse osmosis system with membrane filter installed can help out.

Popular manufacturers of mechanical filtration systems:

• "Barrier";
• "Aquaphor";
• "Geyser".

Among the manufacturers of sorption filter cleaning:

• "Barrier";
• "Aquaphor".

If you need a reverse osmosis system, it is worth considering the models of manufacturers:

• "Geyser";
• Atol;
• "Barrier".

In any model with close study, you can find both pluses and minuses.

When choosing it is worth paying attention to such characteristics as:

• complexity or ease of installation;
• impact on pressure;
• the size;
• the price of replaceable cartridges;
• taste of water.

Installing a filter under the sink with your own hands is a solvable question. After all, the home craftsman is usually familiar with some stages of installing devices to communications.

If a classic 3-stage filtration system has been purchased for a sink, its configuration should include:

• the filter parts themselves, which are usually in a plastic flask;
• adapter to connect to the highway;
• sealing gaskets;
• shutoff valves.

Separate models can include accumulative tanks which provide uniformity of giving. In order for the selected filter to function correctly, you need to determine the place of installation of the product.

Installation conditions should be as follows:

• free space under the sink;
• enclosures must be protected from ultraviolet radiation;
• it was possible to get close to the flasks;
• connecting points must also be freely accessible.

The installation mechanism will be as follows:

• installation of the faucet discharging the filtered liquid;
• adapter box;
• assembly of the cartridge system;
• hose connection;
• connection of the system with the trunk;
• performance check

When inserting a crane, it is important to note that it should be mounted in a short space from the mixer. In the filtration systems of the popular brands “Barrier”, “Aquaphor” or “Geyser” it is of small diameter, therefore for its insertion a minimum opening is sufficient.

The next stage of work can be divided into such steps:

• disconnect the flexible supply line from the line;
• install filter adapter on the trunk;
• connect the input flex to the adapter.

Only then can the main filter be assembled. For this work, a scheme is useful, which usually comes with the instruction. Do not forget to remove the plugs after assembly. Connect to the flexible filtration supply and drainage of water. Do not overtighten the nuts when connecting hoses. The system is completed with nuts that will ensure fixation.

Next, the design is connected to the installed valve, which will drain a clean liquid. It is connected by a special piston, which must be screwed into the trunk and driven almost all the way.If the drainage device is not provided by the construction, a hole is drilled in the sewer system and a drainage clamp is installed. At the finish of all the works, the sealing threaded connections must be carefully sealed. For these purposes, you can use a special FUM tape.

Before using the filter, ensure that it is washed. Such actions contribute to the elimination of microparticles of materials from which the cartridge components are made. If you skip this stage, the particles will settle on the cells and the system will soon lose its functionality.

Flushing is performed as follows:

• remove the housing with the membrane and remove it;
• remove the storage tank;
• open the feed and filter about 10 liters of water through the filtration.

Note that immediately after installation, the first water that comes out of the filter will be cloudy. This effect is usually not considered a sign of poor installation. After the disappearance of air plugs and when turned on, purified water will go.On the palate, by the way, it may seem bitter. This phenomenon is also considered correct, after the filter is completely filled, the bitterness will disappear.

For information on which one is better to choose a flow filter for water, see the following video.