Ditch your water filter pitcher and install a water filtration system for long-lasting results
If you’re tired of refilling and cleaning your water filter pitcher or buying cases of bottled water, installing a water filtration system could be the solution to your problem. Adding a water filtration system to your home helps to keep your drinking water free of pesticides and contaminants.
Plus, installing a whole-house water filter system removes hard water minerals from your main water line, which makes your dishes sparkle, and your appliances last longer. But who installs water filtration systems? Read on to learn why a plumber is the best professional to hire for the job.
If you don't have prior experience installing or repairing a water softener, consider contacting a plumber for assistance.
Hiring a licensed and experienced plumber is your best bet for installing a whole-house water filtration system. In fact, there are several reasons you should hire a licensed plumber.
For instance, since plumbers know the ins and outs of plumbing, they know to install a water filtration system near your main water shut-off valve so it can filter and purify all of the water that runs through your home. Most water shut-off valves are located in basements, garages, or utility closets. Wherever the location, your plumber will ensure you can easily access it to change the cartridges every three to six months.
Plus, plumbers with experience installing water filtration systems will know what types of tools they need to use to get the job done. For example, they will come prepared with the proper plumbing pipe cutters, plumbing solder, wrenches, and fittings for the job.
While many repairs or additions around the house make good DIY projects, it’s best to hire a local plumber when it comes to plumbing lines. While you might feel tempted to take on a water filtration system installation, there are many issues that could go wrong, including:
Cutting pipes or soldering incorrectly can cause leaks
Attaching fittings improperly can lead to leaks in your plumbing system
Aligning the water filtration system backward or to the incorrect ports will make it inoperable
Hiring a handyperson to install a water filtration system might seem like a good way to avoid paying the higher plumber hourly rate, which typically ranges from $45 to $200 per hour. However, if your handyperson doesn’t have experience cutting and soldering pipes or working knowledge of piping layouts, it can lead to big problems. While many handypeople have experience switching out or tightening plumbing parts, they usually don’t have the qualifications required to install a water filtration system.
On the other hand, if you know a handyperson near you who has the know-how for dealing with complex water lines and plumbing pipe projects, you can consider hiring them for your installation. However, you should research their online reviews and testimonials to ensure they are qualified to install water filtration systems.
Turn off the water supply: The plumber shuts off the water supply from the main water supply line, releases the pressure, and drains the water system.
Cut the pipe: The plumber chooses a location that’s near the water supply and the main shut-off valve with easy access underneath to change the cartridges. The plumber will mark and cut the pipe with a pipe cutter. Then, they will use the pipe cutter’s reamer blade to remove any raised edges from the freshly cut pipe.
Connect the fittings: Next, the plumber will place a compression nut on both ends of the cut pipe and slide on the ferrule ring to reinforce the shaft. They’ll thread a brass fitting onto the filter housing ports and then seal them securely between the filter port and the fitting.
Install the filter: Next, the plumber will position the filter on the water line so that the water will flow into the “in” port and exit the “out” port. If it’s installed in reverse, the filter won’t function correctly.
Tighten the fittings with a wrench: Next, your plumber will use an adjustable wrench to tighten the compression nuts onto the fittings.
Turn on the water: The final step is to turn off the inlet valve, turn the water back on from the main shut-off valve, and then check for leaks. The tank will fill with water, and the water filtration system will begin filtering it. If the plumber discovers any leaks, they’ll tighten the system until the water stops dripping.
Whole-house water filtration system costs can depend on the type of system and the special modifications needed. A standard carbon filter system will run an average of $1,000, but advanced reverse-osmosis filter systems can run up to $4,000.
You also need to factor in installation costs. Depending on the system and any potential modifications, the price of installation can vary from $300 to more than $3,000.
While you can save money on a pro by installing a water filtration system yourself, it’s not a good idea. If the system isn’t installed correctly, it can lead to very costly problems—and there are lots of points where an installation could go wrong. For instance, if you solder the pipes incorrectly or don’t precisely attach the fittings, you can create leaks. And if the whole system isn’t properly aligned and sent to the right ports, it won’t work at all. So save yourself potential headaches and call a licensed plumber for this job.
Before hiring a plumber to install a water filtration system, we recommend getting quotes from at least three licensed professionals. Having contractors bid on projects puts you in the driver’s seat, meaning you can expect more competitive pricing. It also allows you to select your favorite offer based on price, timeline, customer reviews, and other factors.
When getting quotes from water filtration installation contractors, we suggest asking the following questions to help make your decision:
Is your company licensed and insured? Are the contractors who will be doing the actual work also licensed and insured?
What kind of permit is required for this type of work? Does your company obtain the permit on my behalf, and if so, is the cost built into your quote?
How soon can you begin work on the installation, and how long will the project take? Will my home be without water during the installation, and can the water be turned back on in the evenings if the installation spans multiple days?
What kind of warranties come with this installation? Is the filtration system itself under any type of warranty, and do you offer guarantees for this work?
What’s your experience with installing whole-house water filtration systems? Can you share recent client testimonials for this type of installation?
What kind of maintenance does a whole-house water filtration system require, and how often? Is that a service your company offers, and are there tasks I can do on my own? Does DIYing the maintenance void any warranties?
How much should I expect my water bill to go up with this type of system?
Kelly Weimert contributed to this piece.
