Water problems can be universal or specific to your water. The main ones include turbidity, smell, color, hardness, iron and manganese content.
Turbidity
Turbidity is a universal problem for centralized water supply systems. Even if the water supply company supplies clean water, it can be re-polluted with particles of silt, sand, and iron in the pipelines.
Hardness
Hard water leaves scale on radiators and water heater housings, lime scale on sanitary ware and tiles, clogs shower nozzles and reduces the quality of washing clothes. This makes servicing of household appliances more frequent.
Color
The color of the water usually indicates the presence of high concentrations of natural organic substances that come from surface water sources. This is not only an aesthetic problem, slime and plaque in plumbing systems are partly caused by these substances.
Iron
Iron is less common in water from surface sources, but is a common problem in groundwater.
Scent
The specific odors of tap water, apart from chlorine, are usually of organic origin.
Do you need a mains filter in the apartment?
The main problem of any water is its turbidity. Mechanical filters are always installed at the water inlet to the apartment to protect all subsequent filters.
There are two types of trunk filters:
Flushable filters - flushable filters have become popular thanks to the Honeywell company. They have a metal cartridge that traps impurities and needs to be washed once a year. The initial cost of the filter is higher, but maintenance is cheaper.
Cartridge filters are the simplest and budget filters for mechanical cleaning. They have a replaceable cartridge that needs to be replaced every 6 months. Filters are inexpensive, but the systematic replacement of cartridges requires costs and time.
Which cartridge to choose for the main filter in the apartment?
In domestic conditions, polypropylene and thread cartridges are used. Preference is given to the former due to their lower cost. Mechanical filters usually have pores from 5 to 20 microns. Carbon cartridges are installed at the final stage of the system to remove chlorine and yellow water.
How to choose a filter for hot water in an apartment?
Special heat-resistant filters are used for hot water. Conventional line filters are not suitable because their maximum operating temperature is 35-40°C. Carbon cartridges for hot water are not effective because the sorption decreases as the temperature rises.
Water softening in the apartment: what is it and how does it work?
Hardness salts (calcium and magnesium bicarbonates) cause scaling. To remove them, use water softening filters or point filters against scale for household appliances. Water softeners work on the principle of ion exchange, replacing calcium and magnesium ions with sodium ions. Regeneration of the filter is carried out by washing with a saline solution.
Advantages of water softening systems:
- Soft water in every tap;
- No scale in the boiler, washing machine and dishwasher;
- Improvement of skin and hair condition;
Minimal maintenance.
- Disadvantages:
- High initial cost;
- Dimensions and the need for installation space.
Scale filters for boilers and washing machines
- This is a simpler option for protecting household appliances.
- The principle of action is based on reagent softening of water.
- Filter maintenance involves replacing the cartridges.
Advantages:
Effectively removes scale;
Inexpensive;
Simple installation.
- Disadvantages:
- Do not drink water;
- The need for regular replacement of cartridges;
Lime scale on plumbing does not disappear.
Reagent-free limescale filters
Magnetic filters protect against scale, but their effectiveness depends on the manufacturer. More complex systems such as BWT are more efficient but expensive.
Complex water filtration in the apartment
Water softening and iron removal filters are used to obtain the highest quality water.
They can perform several tasks at the same time: softening, removal of iron and manganese, reduction of water oxidation, removal of ammonium.
