Jul 16 , 2018
10 Reasons Why Your Home Water Needs a Sediment Filter
Water plays a very important role in our survival. Besides drinking and bathing, we use it for a large number of other reasons in our day-to-day lives. Yet, we all know that any old water wont do. Aside from being wary of the harmful sediment and bacteria naturally found in water supplies, we also need to consider the pipes through which this water travels to us.
Most of us dont have the luxury of having a crystal-clear spring outside our door, so we need to be extra vigilant with our water sources. Drinking impure water can lead to serious health issues, even if you only take one or two sips. Thats why we need to make sure the water thats entering our homes is pure and safe to drink.
WATER FILTERS
With water purity and safety at the tops of any self-loving humans list, what can you use to get pure water into your home? How about trying a water filter? A water filter is a device thats usually attached to your faucet or water supply that filters out unwanted sediment and minerals from your tap water. This means the water comes out tasting great but is also safe to drink and more cost-efficient than bottled water.
There are many different types of water filters, from carbon filters to reverse osmosis filters. Every water filter is different and filters out different things from your water stream. One such water filter is the sediment filter. A sediment filter acts as a barrier against the different types of sediment (hence the name) and purifies them out of your water before it enters your home. It can capture dirt, sand, and other larger particles in its net, and, ultimately, adds to a clean and clearer-tasting water supply.
WHY SEDIMENT FILTERS?
Its understandable why a water filter is a better choice for getting pure water. Water safety is so crucial to your health, as well as the health of your family and the people in your home. So, now youve decided to get on board with the water filter users, you need to pick one to get your journey to cleaner water started. However, from all of the different filters available, why is it important to have a sediment filter?
For starters, you need to know about the different kinds of sediment filters.
SURFACE FILTERS
One of the types of sediment filters is the surface filter. This filter traps dirt and particles on just the pleated ridges of the filter. This type of filter is good for when youre trapping particles that are all the same size. After the filter has been completely dirtied, you can replace it with another one. Some high-quality surface sediment filters can be reused after washing them well and reinstalling.
DEPTH FILTERS
The other type of sediment filter is the depth filter. This one works best for capturing particles that are of different sizes. The way depth filters work is that they trap larger particles on the surface of the pleats, while smaller particles are caught under the surface, toward the middle of the filter. More particles and dirt can be captured with this sediment filter.
Lets take a look at the 10 reasons why your homes water source needs a sediment filter.
SAFER THAN TAP WATER
The water thats been filtered through a sediment filter is instantly safer for you to drink than just plain tap water. The FDA regulates tap water, but that doesnt mean they can catch everything. This is especially the case with well water sources. If you source your water from a well, youre relying on nature to do the filtering for you, and, while this is still a good option, there are numerous ways your water can become contaminated without you even knowing.
You can reduce the risk of drinking this polluted water by adding a sediment filter in your water stream. This can catch any remaining sediment left over in your water, and it will instantly give you fresher and cleaner tasting water that is safer for you to drink.
EVEN SAFER THAN BOTTLED WATER
In the search of pure and clean water for drinking, many people turn to purified plastic water bottles. While it may seem like a good idea, bottled water is terrible in the long run. From a health point of view, the FDA doesnt have strict regulations on bottled water companies. Even your tap water is more regulated than that!
The FDA has more regulations set in place for tap water and keeps tabs on local and state water filtering systems. Bottled water companies technically dont have to list what minerals are found in their water if they fall below a certain number. That means a host of different bacteria and other things could be lurking in the water out of those bottles, making it unsafe to drink for extended periods.
Having a sediment filter in place ensures your water gets the cleaning it needs before going indoors. While bottled water is strictly off the list of suitable water sources, and even your tap water is slightly doubtable, a sediment filter is the perfect way to rest assured your water supply is always clear of pollutants.
REMOVE LARGE SEDIMENT PARTICLES
Because sediment filters are placed between the outside world and your home water supply, it makes sense they would need to do most of the heavy lifting. These filters stop any large dirt and sand particles from entering your home water supply. This works because of the different materials these filters are spun from.
The most commonly used material is propylene, but there are others as well. Without them, there would still be tiny grains of sand and other particles in the water. Ingesting these with your water can lead to serious health issues down the road, but, with a sediment filter, you dont have to worry about that.
EASY INSTALLATION
Many people are afraid to turn to sediment filters to purify their water because they arent sure how to install the filters. It may seem like a difficult process, but, in most cases, you can easily install your sediment filter to start screening your water supply immediately. There is no need for fancy equipment or special training because most filters attach easily to a faucet or another water entry in your home.
If youre unable to get your sediment filter installed, you can always hire a plumber or technician to perform that service for you. Whether you choose to install your sediment filter yourself or decide to hire someone to do it for you, you can expect a quick and relatively affordable installation. Its good for your time and your money!
BETTER-TASTING WATER
Sediment filters help to keep your water tasting crisp and clean. Because they filter out the dirt and debris from your water, these contaminants dont change the natural flavor of the water that enters your home. Although these particles are sometimes so small you cant even feel them on your tongue, they still affect the taste of the water. Water bottle companies add in minerals and other things to make their water taste better, but, in reality, these extra additions could lead to more trouble.
There have been traces of carcinogenic materials found in bottled water with added minerals, so its not a good trade-off. With a sediment filter, you can remove larger particles before they even get close to your water supply, and, ultimately, enjoy naturally fresh-tasting water.
ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY
Having a sediment filter reduces your carbon footprint on the planet immensely. People normally use plastic bottled water to get their daily supply for drinking water, and its used a lot. In fact, there are 1,500 bottles of water being used per second in the U.S. So, its easy to see how using plastic water bottles isnt a sustainable choice.
These bottles end up in landfills and water supplies for many years, harming wildlife and the Earth because they arent biodegradable. They arent broken down naturally, so small animals and birds mistake them for food and get hurt in the process.
A sediment filter offers an environmentally friendly option because you dont have to use non-renewable resources and energy to produce plastic that will just end up in a dump. You can get your clean drinking water in a way that harms no one and which gives you safe-to-drink water every time. Plus, the animals will love you!
LESS EXPENSIVE
Purchasing and installing a sediment filter is a transaction you wont regret. These filters can be bought as a whole-system package or as just filter-related products, but, either way, they end up paying for themselves within a couple of uses.
This goes back to the cost of bottled water. It may seem like youre getting a good deal by buying water bottles in bulk, but paying a one-time fee for installing a sediment filter will end up costing you less than frequent trips to the store for more water. Your sediment filter needs one installation and occasional replacements after that to provide you with a more cost-efficient and safe form of water.
MORE CONVENIENT
If you buy bottled water or filtered water from an outside source, you know the struggles of having to go back and forth to stock up on water again. Having clean and pure water readily available at home is much easier and convenient than having to travel every time you need a refill, and a sediment filter can give you just that.
LOTS OF OPTIONS
Because every source of water is different, the means used to purify that water will also be different. But, luckily, you can find the perfect type of sediment filter for your home, regardless of the size or type of sediment youre trying to filter out. Both filter cartridges and bags can be used to remove those pesky grains. Cartridges are made from woven cloth or paper and are more suitable for home use, whereas filter bags are for more industrial sediment-filtering situations.
SETS THE STAGE FOR OTHER FILTERS
Many people dont know this, but sediment filters set the stage for other filters to do their jobs. They are, arguably, the most important components in a home water filtration situation because they are the first line of defense. They get rid of the big dirt and sand grains, so other filters, like carbon filters, can remove chemical and residual leftovers from the water. Without the sediment filter, other filters cant function properly.
This is also important to remember if youre considering switching to a whole house water filter because the sediment filter plays a big role in getting the water to that clear consistency. You can easily say goodbye to large sediment particles, and even smaller pieces of sediment with this added filter.
CONCLUSION
Regardless of the reason you decide sediment filters are better for you, the decision about which filter you get is ultimately yours. Sediment filters complete a very important step in the water purification process, and its important to choose wisely. It may take a few tries with different filters to see which one works best with the sediment youre trying to filter out, but, once you find a good fit, your job becomes easier. You only have to do light maintenance, changing out the filter every once in a while as needed.
If youre unable to decide which filter to go with by yourself, the next best thing to do is to ask for the help of a professional. A trained professional, like a plumber or a water filter professional, can give you the advice you need to get your home water purification process underway and can also recommend different water filters to try that might work better with your desired filtration. Its all a learning process, and it may take time, but your hard work in choosing and installing your sediment filter not only benefits you and your family but also helps make a lasting positive impression on the world around you.
