The water we use in our daily life must be purified. In this case, the source of water intake is not so important. This can be water from a well that you drilled on your site, or from a water supply system with a centralized water supply.
It must contain various impurities: rust, scale, grains of sand, silt or other substances, the presence of which can have a negative impact on our health and on the operation of plumbing equipment and appliances. To prevent these negative consequences, you need a water purification filter for plumbing. In this article, you will learn what filters are and exactly how they work.
A healthy person who is in ideal conditions, when he is not hot or cold, can live without water for no more than 5 days. People need fluids because our body is 70% water.
Not surprisingly, we place high demands on the quality of the fluid we consume.
Humans aren't the only ones contributing to water pollution. This can also happen naturally: dirt gets into water streams also in case of prolonged rains, for example
Meanwhile, environmental threats are getting worse, and we know this very well. From year to year, the gas and smoke content of the atmosphere is growing. Finding organic food and quality water is becoming increasingly difficult.
Even the water that undergoes centralized treatment and comes to us from the water supply cannot be considered truly clean.
Its contamination is facilitated by the inherent properties of the liquid itself: it perfectly dissolves some harmful chemicals. During the cleaning process, only the most toxic contaminants are removed from it. Chlorine or fluorine used in this process are themselves toxic elements that adversely affect human health.
The water supplied to us through the water supply system may not correspond to the status of drinking and due to old, outdated water mains
Specialists involved in centralized water treatment are responsible for its quality until it leaves the water distribution station. But it will not reach the end consumer soon.
And the sections of the water mains, through which it will pass, no one controls from the inside. At the same time, the age of the water pipelines suggests that it is in them that the greatest pollution can occur.
The negative impact of untreated water on the human body is obvious:
- increased hardness promotes salt deposition;
- excess manganese has a negative effect on the skeletal system;
- the presence of excess iron threatens liver disease, reproductive disorders and the development of a heart attack;
- there are other negative consequences as well.
But dirty water strikes not only our body, but also our wallet. Expensive plumbing fixtures and fittings can break down because they are not designed for extreme loads.
The following breakdowns may be the most obvious:
- limescale deposits clog the holes of the nozzles and shower head;
- under the influence of high temperatures, magnesium and calcium salts form scale, due to which water heaters quickly fail.
Modern special plumbing is designed in such a way that the water that enters it must undergo preliminary purification. And people who monitor their own health prefer to use either already purified bottled water, or use special household filters in order to secure tap water.
Poor-quality water can not only negatively affect the health of any person, but also disable plumbing equipment and appliances.
To purify water from substances and elements harmful to humans and plumbing, water filters are used. With their help, you can get rid of heavy metals, particles that do not dissolve, impurities, bacteria, viruses, chlorine, etc.
Water filters are classified according to a variety of criteria. For example, you can categorize them by area of application. After all, they are necessary and in demand in a variety of places and for various purposes: for private houses, for domestic use, for aquariums, for industrial needs and as camping equipment.
Filters for water purification are used everywhere: they are needed both in industrial facilities and in everyday life, and even for water purification in aquariums
According to the cleaning method used in the device, the following filters are distinguished: mechanical, electrical, physicochemical, biological, ion exchange and reverse osmosis.
According to the degree of water purification from harmful impurities, filters are divided into fine and coarse cleaning products.
Coarse filters
Coarse water filters for the protection of plumbing provide a minimum level of purification, which is called coarse. They are able to filter out only large impurities: sand, rust, scale, etc. Their device is based on the same principle of mechanical cleaning, so they are all similar.
Most often, they are installed at the very beginning of the distribution, where the water is distributed according to the directions of its final consumption: in the kitchen, in the toilet and in the bathroom. There is a filter element inside the device: usually it is a metal mesh located in the direction of the water movement.
In this coarse filter, the filter element is a mesh made of stainless steel: it is able to retain pieces of rust, scale, silt, sand, etc.
A sump, which is needed for the accumulation of filtered particles, is a mandatory part of it. Periodically, he needs to be cleansed. At least three to four times a year, the water is shut off and the sump is cleaned.
However, various coarse cleaning devices have distinctive features. They differ in the methods of cleaning the sedimentation tanks, the method of installation in the pipeline, in the shape of the sedimentation tank and in the type of filter element.
By type of filter element
The strainer can be considered the simplest device for coarse cleaning. It uses a stainless steel mesh with a mesh size of 50-400 microns. It is fastened with a threaded connection so that the revision cover is at the bottom. The undoubted advantage of these devices is their durability.
This flask holds a replaceable cartridge. The flask cannot be simply screwed onto the pipe, it must be fixed to the wall
The flask of the cartridge device is attached to the wall. Inside it contains a cartridge. Its filtering capacity depends on the material from which the cartridge is made. These can be compressed fibers, twisted polypropylene yarn, or polyester. To make a rough cleaning, you need a 20-30 micron cartridge.
Once the cartridge has served its intended life, it cannot be washed and reinserted into the flask. You just need to change it to a new one. There is only one way to increase its service life: in front of the cartridge filter, additionally install a mesh filter.
By the shape of the sump
Mesh filters are simple: they have inlet and outlet pipes and a sump that needs to be cleaned periodically. If the pipe on which the filter is fixed is located vertically or too close to the floor, you need to choose oblique devices in which the sump is made at an angle to the watercourse.
In all other cases, direct models with a settling tank are chosen, which is perpendicular to the watercourse. Direct filters are more massive than oblique ones. When choosing this device, you need to make sure that there is enough space under the pipe not only for fixing it, but also for further work with its sump.
These two coarse filters differ from each other only in shape: the left filter is straight, and the right one is oblique
It is believed that a straight filter does its job more efficiently because its sump has a larger volume. It is sealed using a flange cover or a threaded plug.
By the method of installation in the pipeline
The filter can be cut into the water supply in different ways. Depending on the method of installation, a distinction is made between threaded (coupling) and flanged devices.
- Flanged. Using a stud or bolted flange connection, the filters are mounted on junctions located in the basements of multi-storey buildings, or on main water pipelines. These devices are easy to remove when needed. In this case, other elements of the water conduit are not involved.
- Threaded. These filters are installed on pipes up to 2 inches in diameter. They can be screwed on or connected to pipes using American quick-release union nuts.
By the method of cleaning the sump
All oblique models and those straight ones that have removable sump covers are considered non-flush and are called mud collectors. To get rid of the accumulated dirt from the sump of the sump, you need to disassemble the device and clean it.
Some direct filters have a drain cock and a flush system. When the tap is open, the formed sediment is drained into the sewer system, and cleaning is carried out by direct or reverse flow of water.
What else you need to know about rough cleaning
The coarse filter is sold ready-to-use. The only thing that needs to be done before installing it is to clean the new plumbing of rust and scale. Sometimes an additional load from the pipeline can be transferred to the filter in the event of distortion, vibration and other similar influences. This should be avoided by providing compensation or support elements.
The filter is installed so that it is turned downward by the revision cover. If water enters from the bottom up, the device should be installed on the horizontal part of the pipeline. Care must be taken to ensure that the threaded connections are secure to prevent leaks.
When it is impossible or impractical to install filters directly on the water supply system, you can purchase just such an elegant nozzle that is attached directly to the tap
In modern new buildings, filters are installed simultaneously with the water supply, but in other buildings they are also easy to install, since they are sold in any plumbing store. If the installation of the device on a pipe for any reason is impossible, you can buy a model-nozzle that is put on the crane and is also able to cope well with rough cleaning.
We invite you to familiarize yourself with additional information by watching the video:
Fine filters
It is impossible to make the water absolutely clean with the help of rough cleaning. Filters for fine purification of tap water are needed to protect plumbing and our health with you.
As a filter material in such devices are used:
- ion exchange resins;
- reverse osmosis membranes;
- sorption materials.
Replacement of working elements in any of these models occurs quite often: their service life depends on the volume of purified water or on the duration of operation.
A fine filter turns any water into drinking water, but its very presence is almost invisible: it is hidden from view in the space under the sink
Degrees of water purification
Depending on the depth of water purification, filters can consist of several stages of protection. Each of the stages provides a certain type of protection. For example, in a three-stage filter, the first stage performs mechanical cleaning, the second - chemical, and the third stage is responsible for water conditioning, improving its smell, color and organoleptic properties.
For details on the three-stage filter and additional cleaning in filters with a large number of stages, see the video.
Purification at the molecular level
Only one percent of impurities can be present in the water that has passed the reverse osmosis filter. After all, the pore size in its thin-film membrane is only 0.0001 microns. Only a water molecule is able to overcome such a hole.
Some may think the price to be paid for this luxurious five-stage filter is too high, but health is priceless.
Typically, cleaning systems that include such protective barriers consist of five stages of protection:
- 1st stage- mechanical water purification from coarse impurities is carried out using a cartridge (15-30 microns);
- 2nd stage- gases, chlorine and its compounds are removed using activated carbon;
- Stage 3- compressed activated carbon retains the smallest mechanical impurities;
- 4 step- cleaning is carried out by the method of reverse osmosis;
- 5 step- a carbon post-filter is used.
The only drawback of reverse osmosis is that water loses not only the harmful substances that it contained, but also useful ones. Therefore, mineralizers are usually used with such a filter.
Woven filter application
A woven filter is like a cylinder with a bundle wound around it. It is able to purify water from salts, metal oxides and some chemicals that are added, for example, to hot water to maintain its high temperature.
The status of this filter must be monitored. If its color has changed, it should be changed or cleaned. It can be cleaned by boiling: if the previous color has returned, operation can be continued.
Mineral filter secrets
If a mesh-shaped cylinder with mineralized crumbs inside acts as a filter element, then this is a mineral filter. It perfectly protects against chemical additives and salts. But when salt appears on its own surface, it should be replaced.
The mineral filter will cleanse the water from salts and various chemical additives that can seriously harm us, but you must not forget to change it yourself.
The adhesive filter has proven itself well. Its active component reacts with fractions dissolved in water, neutralizing them. From this, the drum gradually changes its color. The drum needs to be replaced over time.
What will happen if you do not make a timely replacement? The accumulated water pollutants in the filter will flow back into the water. The function of the device will change: instead of purifying water from impurities, it will saturate it with them.
Which device do you need?
The choice of a specific filter for installing it in your apartment or in the country depends on the tasks that must be solved with its appearance. Most likely, there is no need to convert all the water to drinking water. It will be too expensive and impractical.
The ultimate goal will be achieved if your child can drink unboiled tap water even in the country, and you can be sure that he will not get sick.
Water that is directed for heating and some similar purposes only needs coarse purification. But in the kitchen it is better to use a multi-stage filter, with the help of which high quality water will be obtained, which can be drunk without boiling.
It's no secret that the water that comes to our apartment from the central water supply is not drinkable. Even household tasks such as washing dishes or laundry require a certain level of water quality. A qualitative improvement in tap water performance is possible only when using filters for purifying tap water. There is a huge selection of filter systems, from the most inexpensive to the most efficient, bringing the water performance to almost ideal. In this article, we will show you how to choose a water filter, tell you about the existing varieties and operating rules.
In this article, you will learn:
What are the features of a tap coarse filter
What are the features of a fine water filter
What are the features of the main water filter
Coarse water filter: types and maintenance
Any owner of his own home that is not connected to the central water supply system does not even have questions about the need to install a filter on the water pipe. Water from a well or well must go through a cleaning cycle from impurities of dirt, sand, harmful microorganisms, etc. This situation does not even require discussion. A tap water filter is a necessary attribute in the private residential sector. But apartment owners are not so categorical in their beliefs, and many of them have doubts about the need to install a water filter.
Of course, the central water purification system presupposes the presence of mechanical filters that trap solid particles, and chemical treatment that neutralizes the effect of pathogenic microorganisms on the water. But the water, passing through the entire plumbing system, absorbs rust, mineral deposits and fungal formations from the inner walls of the pipeline. In this form, this liquid enters our apartment. In order for the quality of water to rise to the level of drinking water, it is necessary to install a multi-stage purification system.
The absence, for example, of a coarse water filter, will lead to the need to quickly replace the seals on all plumbing fittings. A coarse filter is required for the normal operation of household appliances connected to water. Without it, the mixers will quickly fail in the home water supply system, clogged with dirt and debris.
A coarse water filter is often equipped with a metal mesh with fine meshes that trap all solid impurities. Then the water can go to a fine filter or go directly to the mixer.
Filters for tap water in an apartment work according to a similar principle, but may differ in material of manufacture, shape, method of insertion into the pipe, type of filter element and method of removing accumulated residues.
One of the most popular types of coarse water filters. A stainless steel microcellular mesh acts as a filtering element. The size of the cells may vary depending on the model in the range of 50-400 microns. It has a long service life and does not require replacement of consumables (they are simply not available in this type of filter). The models differ from each other only by the method of insertion into the pipe, the method of cleaning and the arrangement of the filter elements relative to each other.
Here, the differences are only in the method of tapping into the water pipe. If the diameter of the water supply pipe is equal to or greater than two inches, then a flanged type of filter is installed. Due to their large diameter, such filters are installed on water mains and at junctions of apartment buildings.
Flanges are mounted on bolts or studs, which greatly facilitates their dismantling without the need to disassemble other elements of the plumbing system. The presence of such flanges must be included in the house project at the very beginning of construction.
The apartments use coarse water filters with threaded connections. Such a filter is mounted directly on the water pipe or is docked with it with "American" nuts (captive quick-release nuts).
A coarse water filter consists of two nozzles (at the inlet and at the outlet) and a reservoir (sump) in which the water is filtered. The direction of the tank relative to the axis of the water pipe divides filters into two categories: oblique and straight.
The reservoir at straight-line water filters "looks" downward (perpendicular to the water flow). The size of the tank affects the speed of the water flow (the larger it is, the lower the speed). The heavy particles remain at the bottom of the sump, and the water is directed further to the mesh with microcells that trap smaller impurities.
It is not difficult to determine the filter for the water pipe with an oblique arrangement of the reservoir. This option is preferable in conditions of a minimum distance between water pipes or between a pipe and a wall. A plug or flange cap is screwed onto the end of its reservoir.
Mud traps with flushing system
The filter element cleaning method divides such filters into two categories: non-flushing and flushing filters. Oblique filters, as well as some direct ones, are referred to as non-flush filters. Cleaning such filters involves disassembling the case by unscrewing the plug or cover.
Cleaning systems for filters with a direct arrangement of the tank have a drain valve for draining sediment from impurities.
Flask type filters are often used in apartments with a plastic case on the outside and a filter element (replaceable cartridge) on the inside. There can be several such flasks in the filter, depending on the degree and level of filtration.
The cartridge can be made of polyester, in the form of twisted threads or compressed fibers. The filtration rate of each cartridge is measured in microns. For example, for coarse water filters, this figure is 20-30 microns.
In most cases, flask filter cartridges are not serviced, but are replaced with new ones as they become clogged. By default, the flask filter should become the second stage of water purification after the coarse filter.
Installation and maintenance
Installation and further operation of a household water filter has its own characteristics, which should not be forgotten.
It is advisable to install a coarse filter at the water inlet to the apartment, in front of the meters. Due to the limited space, filters are usually mounted with an oblique arrangement of the tank. In any case, such a filter will be able to save the meter and other elements of the system from rapid clogging and failure.
For correct operation of the filter, it is mounted horizontally, with the reservoir pointing downward, which will simplify the cleaning procedure. An arrow on the product body will indicate the correct direction for installing the filter. In some cases, oblique water filters are installed vertically, while the direction of water flow should go from top to bottom.
Filters with a straight flask are mounted exclusively on horizontal sections of the water supply. The installation must take into account the possibility of unimpeded service of the filter.
For filters with a direct flush system, it is possible to equip a back flush system. This is done by adding a bypass loop with taps to the water supply system with the ability to switch the direction of water flow from direct to opposite.
In any filter, you periodically need to take out the filter element for replacement or cleaning. This is especially true for filters that do not have a flushing system. A similar procedure involves blocking the water supply (closing the inlet taps), thereby relieving the pressure in the system.
For filters with an oblique connection, the removable nut has hexagonal slots for easy unscrewing with a regular wrench.
Advice: to simplify dismantling and maintain the tightness of the plug fastening, it is necessary to replace the complete paronite gasket with tow roll.
For filters with a vertical arrangement of flasks, the filtering element can be dismantled using a shaped wrench (usually included in the filter kit) or standard wrenches. When replacing the filter element, pay attention to the condition of the gaskets and seals.
The oblique filter on the water pipe is disassembled, having prepared a container for draining the dirt in advance. At the same time, the filter element (mesh) is thoroughly cleaned by rinsing it with the pressure of water or air from the compressor. The grid is changed to a new one as needed.
In straight-line tap water filters, unscrew the flask and discard the accumulated sediment. Replace the cartridge as it becomes clogged.
Filters equipped with a flushing system do not require disassembly. To clean such a water supply system from dirt, it is enough to regularly flush with water under pressure by opening a special tap.
Fine water filter
Coarse filters do an excellent job of their task, but the presence of mechanical impurities in the water is far from the only problem. Tap water contains, in various forms, compounds of mineral salts and organics. In most cases, the quality of such water does not meet drinking standards.
Modern tap water filters can change the composition of water to a state that does not require boiling.
Sorption filters for cleaning
Sorption cleaners are capable of trapping microparticles of rust, sand, clay and other impurities 20–40 microns in size. Usually they have a long service life and high throughput per unit of time. Some of these purifiers can disinfect tap water with silver, fluoride, or iodine.
Activated carbon (in granules) most often acts as a sorbent, sometimes aluminosilicates. The property of activated carbon to absorb substances such as pesticides, heavy metal salts, excess calcium, chlorine and radioactive compounds make this absorbent one of the most versatile. Aluminosilicates absorb salts of heavy metals, harmful microorganisms, normalize the PH-level of water.
The scope of application of sorption-type water filters is very extensive, ranging from household devices (jug type and stationary) to high-performance systems mounted on main water pipes. Their recovery is due to the reverse direction of the water flow.
The body of ion-exchange cleaners is made of plastic or stainless steel. Inside is a reservoir for brine and ion exchange material. Tap water is passed through several filter elements, leaving heavy metal ions in them.
The productivity of such cleaners depends on a number of indicators:
the chemical composition of tap water;
filter element;
ambient temperature.
Some of the main disadvantages of such cleaning systems are:
small resource of the filter element;
the need for the disposal of consumables;
complicated maintenance procedure (regeneration tanks required).
Tap water in such filters is passed through a membrane with cells up to three microns in size. This mesh size allows only water molecules to pass into the next filter compartment. All harmful microorganisms and chemical compounds of any form remain on the membrane. This type of purifier has a fairly long service life of the main filter element (membrane).
A pressurized pump delivers tap water to the diaphragm through the inlet. At the outlet, the water is divided into two reservoirs. In the first - permeate (water with the highest possible degree of purification), and in the second (drainage collector) - a solution with impurities filtered by the membrane.
The filtration level can be determined by the size of the cells (micropores) of the membrane:
no more than 1 micron - microfiltration level;
no more than 0.1 microns - ultrafiltration level;
no more than 0.01 microns - filtration at the nanoscale;
up to 0.001 microns - reverse osmosis.
Molecular purification of reverse osmosis systems allows you to remove all microorganisms from tap water, including pathogenic bacteria and heavy metal compounds. The water leaving such a filter has a minimum degree of mineralization (about 20% of the original). In some cases, low-mineralized water is necessary, but this is also a disadvantage of such filtration systems.
Filter maintenance
Each type of filter installed on a water pipe has its own maintenance rules:
The sediment type requires regular washing of the metal mesh (filter element). The procedure involves relieving water pressure by shutting off the taps at the inlet of the water supply to the apartment. The frequency with which the tank is checked depends on the degree of contamination of the incoming water.
Disc-type filters are removed from the water supply system, unscrew the housing and rinse all filter elements (discs). If necessary (high degree of contamination), use a brush for cleaning.
After the end of the resource, polypropylene cartridge-type cleaners are replaced with new ones. Most filter element manufacturers label them with the filter capacity, measured in liters. But when calculating the service life of the filter element, the initial water quality must also be taken into account. The service life of the cartridge can be measured in several months, but in the event of a sharp deterioration in water quality, the filter instantly clogs.
Reverse osmosis purification systems have different types of fillers, which largely determines the period of their replacement. The pre-filter cartridges are changed approximately every six months, the carbon filter (at the system outlet) is changed once a year, and the membrane itself can last from two to two and a half years. Before replacing the cartridges, remember the order in order for correct installation. After replacing one or all of the filter elements, the water from the storage tank can be used by running a few liters of water through it empty.
If the filter has not been used for a long time (three or more months), then the water should be disinfected. In the case of a large accumulation of microorganisms on the water pre-filter, the water is exposed to ultraviolet light.
Types and purpose
Post-treatment of tap water. The water coming to our taps from the central water supply is often treated only by chlorination. It is known that chlorine cannot remove all bacteria in water, heavy metal salts and carcinogenic substances.
Improving the taste of water. The taste sensation is influenced by various substances contained in tap water, such as chlorine, hydrogen sulfide, ferrous compounds. The use of a main purifier allows you to improve not only the taste of the water itself, but also the food prepared on it.
Reducing water hardness. The quality of tap water is also affected by such a parameter as hardness. High values of this indicator lead to negative effects on human skin and hair. With constant use of such water, skin rashes may appear, and the structure of the hair will be disturbed.
Increased service life of household appliances. Additional purification of water from the central water supply system allows you to get rid of solid suspended impurities in the water, including rust, which significantly reduce the service life of plumbing fixtures and household appliances in contact with water.
Main water supply filters have their own classification according to the degree of filtration. They may be:
Rough(primary) cleaning... As a filtering element, they are equipped with a mesh with fine cells, which retains solid impurities contained in the water. It needs to be cleaned as it gets dirty to maintain the capacity of the line. In more advanced types of main filters, a multi-stage cleaning system is installed, consisting of several meshes. Each subsequent grid has a smaller mesh size. Thus, the water is purified to a level that is sufficient for technical needs.
Fine cleaning... The design of such a cleaning system is as follows: an inlet strainer is placed in front of a flask cartridge capable of absorbing the smallest particles ranging in size from 1 to 20 microns. The established standard for such cartridges is the retention of impurities up to 5 microns in size.
As a rule, in-line filters are installed in tandem with other filtering devices, for example, with a water softener. This makes the water suitable for cooking and prolongs the life of the household appliances. The softener can be a magnetic (reagentless) filter that traps mineral salts in the form of a sediment. Fine filters are mounted exclusively after the coarse cleaning system, otherwise mud residues will quickly "clog" such a filter, and it will need to be changed frequently.
There is also such a category of equipment as a cleaning system with granular loading. In fact, this is a main filter with a full cleaning cycle. Such a system allows you to get rid of chemical and organic impurities, harmful microorganisms. In appearance, it is a large container with a capacity of 16 to 400 l / min. The installation of this type of main filter on the water pipe can significantly reduce the hardness of the water and carry out a full-fledged cleaning cycle. The only drawback of these systems is their large size.
How to choose a main filter
Do not forget that apartment buildings are equipped with two water mains (for cold and hot water). In private houses, where a local heating system is provided, an additional cold water filtration system is required.
The types of main filters designed for hot water are capable of withstanding high temperature loads, but they can also be used for cold water. But reverse interchangeability is not allowed!
To guide you when choosing a main filter for a water pipe, it is worth considering:
The value of the loss of the nominal pressure in the system... It can be between 0.1 and 0.6 bar, and in some cases even more. A small water pressure may require the installation of a pump for the line.
Filter throughput.
Planned volume of water consumption(more is better than less).
Filter housing size and form factor... Most manufacturers produce filters in the Slim Line and Big Blu series. One of the best water filters for apartments is the 10 '' Big Blu. It has a 184mm blue body and a 10 '' cartridge. Filters of this type do an excellent job with the retention of chlorine compounds, salts of heavy metals, organics, soften water. Slim Line systems have a smaller diameter - from 114 to 130 mm. Main filters with a red or orange body color (or stainless steel) are designed for hot water, blue or transparent filters for cold water.
Filter element properties... There are corresponding neutralizers for each type of contamination.
Modern coarse strainers for the main line have a multilayer structure located in a steel pipe. They are capable of trapping particles up to 50 microns in size. The most preferred filter models are with a flush function. They are more productive and less troublesome to maintain. It is worth paying attention to the correspondence of the diameter of the water pipe to the pipes on the filter.
The main filter is installed on the water pipe, and it is recommended to install a bypass and shut-off taps on sectors with water supply and discharge. For ease of maintenance, the cartridge should be placed in a convenient location.
When choosing one or another system of water filters, it can be difficult to take into account all the nuances. Therefore, we recommend contacting professionals. There are many companies on the Russian market that are developing water purification systems. It is quite difficult to choose one or another type of water filter on your own, without the help of a professional. And even more so, you should not try to mount a water treatment system yourself, even if you have read several articles on the Internet and it seems to you that you figured everything out.
It is safer to contact a filter installation company that provides a full range of services - specialist advice, analysis of water from a well or well, selection of suitable equipment, delivery and connection of the system. In addition, it is important that the company provides filter service as well.
our company Biokit offers a wide range of reverse osmosis systems, water filters and other equipment capable of returning tap water to its natural characteristics.
The specialists of our company are ready to help you:
connect the filtration system yourself;
understand the process of choosing water filters;
pick up replacement materials;
troubleshoot or solve problems with the involvement of installers;
find answers to your questions by telephone.
Trust Biokit water treatment systems to keep your family healthy!
Tap water almost never meets the purity requirements - impurities appear in it one way or another, as a result of which the taste, smell and even transparency change. It is clear that drinking water directly from the tap is not worth it. You can solve the problem by installing a main water filter in the apartment. This device is mounted directly into the pipeline and allows you to clean the entire volume of passing water.
Main filters for cold water or hot water are used for the following needs:
- Water purification... This is very important, because not everyone can live above a deep well, and drinking water comes to houses, most likely from the nearest reservoir, river or lake. At the same time, city treatment plants often do not remove carcinogens and heavy metals from the water, but only chlorinate, while a number of chlorine-resistant bacteria can remain in the liquid.
- Improving the taste of water... Chlorine, rusty metal, hydrogen sulfide - water with completely unexpected tastes can pour from the tap. Naturally, it also changes the quality of food. And purified water allows you to cook really tasty dishes.
- Softening water to reduce its effects on skin and hair... After all, polluted water spoils hair and skin, leads to the appearance of wrinkles, rashes, destruction of the hair structure. And purified water will not allow all these manifestations to form.
- Maintaining the performance of equipment and plumbing fixtures... If you do not remove solid particles and dirt, then scale will appear on boilers, dishwashers and washing machines, electric kettles.
Different types of devices and how they work
Main filters for water purification in an apartment and in a country house are classified into:
The main filter for water purification most often works in conjunction with additional devices. So, a softener is installed complete with a coarse filter, which allows you to normalize the chemical composition of the liquid and prevent the formation of scale in technology. Non-reagent filters with permanent magnets can act as softeners, the action of which makes the salts dissolved in water precipitate out without causing harm to plumbing and other appliances.
AND only after the coarse cleaning system are the fine cleaning devices installed- in this case they will be less susceptible to contamination and the cartridges will have to be replaced less often.
Information about that is in a separate article on the site. In it you will also find a video example.
Read about the room in another article. The elimination of basic faults is described.
Also available for purchase granular loading equipment... It is a main filter for complex purification, which eliminates both chemical and biological contaminants. Outwardly, it is a large cylinder, the capacity of which is in the range of 16-400 liters per minute. Such main filters for water in an apartment or in a private house are at the same time water softeners and deep purification filters. Of the minuses, it is worth noting their large size.
Rules for choosing a suitable filter model
So, a main water filter - how to choose for cleaning? Keep in mind that in ordinary apartments, as a rule, passes two lines - with cold and hot water... If we are talking about individual heating systems, then they require devices for the purification of cold water.
Important: The main filter for hot water is made of materials that are resistant to prolonged exposure to high temperatures. It can also be used on cold water lines, but not vice versa.
To choose main filters for cold water or hot water, it is necessary to consider:
The used strainers are multilayer and fixed in a metal pipe. With its help, water is purified from all large particles (sand or scale), the size of which exceeds 50 microns. It is better to choose a main water filter with flushing - it is able to catch more contaminants. When choosing a strainer, you must specify pipe diameter, on which the mount will be made, and already in accordance with this value to purchase the device.
As for cartridge devices, the main filter for mechanical water purification is a construction of a flask, a lid and a replaceable cartridge. They are able to capture any small particles - accordingly, the finer the degree of filtration, the more transparent and tastier the water will be at the outlet.
The cartridge for main filters for water purification should regularly change and purchase depending on the needs:
- BA - to normalize the amount of iron.
- BS - for water softening.
- With activated carbon - for chlorine removal.
- With polyphosphate loading - removes lime deposits, protects appliances from scale.
The main filter is mounted directly into the water main. It is also advisable to install shut-off ball valves and a bypass at the section of water supply and drainage from the filtering device. The place of installation of the cartridge filter must be freely accessible, since the cartridges will have to be replaced regularly .. We eliminate the most common problems.
Filter manufacturers at a glance
Among the popular companies that produce high-quality main filters, it is worth noting Honeywell and Aquaphor, New Water and Geyser.
So, the Aquaphor company produces a wide range of cartridge main filters - for drinking water, for household appliances (for washing machines or dishwashers), for showers. You can select devices designed for operation with cold and hot water, eliminating chemical compounds or only insoluble impurities such as sand or rust.
The German brand Honeywell offers devices of unique quality, designed for ten times the operating pressure in the network. Here you can choose elements for coarse or fine cleaning, and the filter element is a metal mesh enclosed in an ultra-reliable flask.
The products of the Novaya Voda company are characterized by availability and high quality. The assortment offers main filters with a separate tap, and the degree of purification can be adjusted by installing certain cartridges.
And Geyser filters are high-tech scientific developments, thanks to which filter elements based on ion-exchange polymer were created.
Located on your site - the quality of the water in it will still not be ideal. And so that the water supply system is not contaminated with all sorts of impurities (from iron to sand and silt), it is important to install a cleaning system that will prevent the ingress of dirt.
This will have a beneficial effect both on the taste and quality of drinking water, and on the condition of the equipment (boiler, washing machine, shut-off and control valves, pipeline), which also suffers from contaminated liquid. And the very first step in getting rid of impurities is to clean the water on a coarse filter.
1 Purpose and features of filters
As the name implies, a coarse filter is necessary to capture the largest suspended solids that may be contained in the water entering the house (apartment). These are, first of all, sand, silt, various organic matter. For this reason, the device is installed at the very beginning of the cleaning system - in front of other types of filters.
Its installation is necessary for the following reasons:
- the filter prevents solids from entering the water supply and heating system;
- the following filters (fine cleaning, aeration, softeners) receive less load - due to the fact that fewer impurities simply reach them.
As a consequence of the first point - the ingress of dirt into the equipment is prevented:
- inside the washing machine;
- toilet cistern;
- water heater;
- hydroaccumulator;
- cranes;
- dishwashers.
Each of the devices listed above has a specific requirement for water quality. For example, the installation of a washing machine (as well as dishwashers and boilers) should be carried out only if available - this item is indicated separately in the instructions.
Otherwise, the life of the washing machine is significantly reduced - since its device is quite complex, and solid impurities can damage individual parts.
And an ordinary water tap in your kitchen is also unlikely to tolerate the presence of dirt in the water well - its locking and regulating device (a ball with a hole) may clog or start to open and close worse. Especially this nuance concerns expensive devices - the same washing machine from some well-known brand, in the first place.
In addition, poor water quality can also harm meters - the purchase and installation of which is also expensive.
As for filters of a different type, their work (in the presence of a stage of coarse water purification) is significantly simplified - since a smaller amount of impurities will enter them. As a result, you will have to change cartridges less often, which means you will save money.
In addition to being used in apartments and houses, the use of devices of this type is no less important at production facilities - an industrial coarse filter in this case performs the same function:
2 What kinds of coarse filters are there?
The filter device itself is extremely simple: in fact, it is metal, which traps impurities from the water. It is enclosed in a body (usually metal), which has an inlet and outlet pipe.
Below the nozzles is a part called a sump - a section where, in fact, filtration takes place. Initially, in this part, the speed of the water decreases - which allows the impurities to settle to the bottom of the hull, and not be carried away further. Then - the liquid passes through the mesh, which retains the dirt.
The design of the coarse filter may differ in a number of parameters, which should be considered separately.
First of all, mention should be made of the material from which the mesh is made. Most often it is steel, less often bronze or brass. These robust connections are resistant to mechanical damage and withstand pressure drops.
The difference is in the way of connection - the filter can be mounted into the system by means of a coupling or flange connection. This difference is predetermined by the size - with a diameter of 2 inches or more, a flange is used, if less, a coupling is used.
In such ways, an industrial version is usually mounted, in other cases, threaded filters are used. Such household models are relevant for pipelines inside apartments and residential cottages. In this case, the installation can be carried out both directly with the pipe, and by means of the "American".
Pore size is actually a key quality parameter that affects how well a filter can clean water. The smaller the mesh size, the more dirt it can hold on naturally. For a coarse filter, this parameter varies from 50 to 400 microns.
By the location of the sump, the products can also be divided into two categories:
- Straight.
- Oblique.
In the first case, the sump is located perpendicular to the water flow, forming a T-shaped body with inlet and outlet pipes. Thanks to this solution, this department can be quite large. Consequently, a straight sump will be able to better purify the water passing through it.
The oblique design of the body is easy to determine visually - in this case, the sump is installed at an angle to the water flow. This reduces efficiency compared to a straight filter. Not much, of course - household filters of this type will also successfully cope with the task.
However, they are best used where the installation of a straight model is simply impossible - due to lack of free space (for example, when the pipeline runs too close to the floor or to another pipe).
One of the relatively new and very useful nuances is also the way to clean the filter itself - after all, the sump will sooner or later overflow with accumulated dirt, which will need to be removed from there. In this regard, products are divided into two categories:
- Sump.
- Filter with flushing system.
The first option is non-flushing. This category includes oblique devices and some straight ones. In this case, the sump is closed with a removable cover - through which you can clean the device from dirt.
Its disadvantage is that cleaning in this case requires disassembling the device - the cover will first have to be unscrewed, and then reinstalled.
The second option is more convenient - in this case, the body is equipped with a crane. Cleaning is very simple: the tap opens and the sludge is drained into a substituted container.
An even better option can be found on sale - a self-cleaning coarse filter. Such a device is equipped with two sensors - one is installed at the inlet, the other - at the outlet. Measuring the pressure, the sensors record its difference - if it decreases at the outlet (after cleaning), it means that the self-cleaning filter is dirty.
It is cleaned through a valve that opens and releases the sediment. The self-cleaning filter is good because you do not have to monitor the state of the unit - it will automatically be able to determine the need for cleaning and perform it.
The most famous representative producing such models is Honeywell. Filters from Honeywell are used most often in industry, however, for domestic purposes, the company also produces a number of models suitable for water supply.
Of course, Honeywell devices are an order of magnitude more expensive than simpler options - this, in fact, is their only drawback.
3 Installation rules
Correct installation of the filter is a rather important question (it does not matter which option will be installed - an ordinary cheap mud sump or an expensive self-cleaning one). Let's consider where and how to install this node correctly:
- Installation must be carried out before the meter.
- The filter should be correctly positioned on a horizontal section (relevant only for straight models - oblique ones can also be installed on vertical segments of the pipeline).
- Installation of the oblique filter is carried out with a sump down.
- To correctly install the unit - pay attention to the direction of the arrow on the body: it must coincide with the direction of the fluid flow.
Alternatively, filters can be installed separately in front of each device. First of all, this is true for a washing machine and dishwasher - this technique is most demanding on the quality of the water used.
3.1 Steps for cleaning the filter
If you have a non-self-cleaning filter installed, the unit will require cleaning from time to time. You can clean it correctly with your own hands. Moreover, this should be done regularly - otherwise the water pressure in the system will weaken.
The simplest way of cleaning is implemented in devices with a tap - in this case, it is enough to simply open it and drain the sludge into a substituted container. For mud collectors, the procedure will be a little more complicated:
- Shut off the water supply before and after the filter.
- It is required to unscrew the nuts on the filter cover (using an adjustable wrench).
Be prepared for water to pour out from under the cover when you loosen the fasteners. So before unscrewing the nuts, prepare some container and place it under the filter.
After the water drains off, you can take out the mesh from the filter. It should be cleaned of rust, plaque, scale - just rinsing under running water. After that, you can rinse the filter itself - by opening the tap on the water supply. Then you can put the mesh back in place and screw the lid back on.
3.2 How to disassemble the coarse filter? (video)
Any water entering the house autonomously from a well or centrally from a water supply system contains mechanical impurities. Untreated water may contain grains of sand, particles of scale and rust, fragments of limescale, exfoliated from the inner walls of pipes, elements of the winding used to seal pipe connections, as well as other foreign substances. Water of this quality harms not only people's health, but also household appliances, shortening its service life, as well as metering devices installed by residents to save money when paying for utility bills.
By installing a coarse water filter in hot or cold water supply systems, you can significantly reduce the amount of abrasive particles and insoluble suspensions. Further, depending on the purpose of using each specific point of water intake, it is recommended to install additional fine filtering devices that are capable of eliminating odors, organic compounds, chemical elements, heavy metal compounds and even some microorganisms. A laboratory test will help you to choose a specific filter model.
Device and types of coarse filters
All filters that provide mechanical water purification have a similar device. A metal mesh or other filter element (discs that cut off coarse fractions of sand, rust, etc.) is located inside the body along the course of the water. An indispensable structural element of such filters is a drain, in which contaminants retained by the mesh are deposited. When the sump becomes clogged, the water supply is shut off, and the outlet is cleaned and flushed. The frequency of this procedure depends on the concentration of mechanical suspensions in the water. It is recommended to carry out preventive cleaning of the sump at least four times a year.
In different models of filters for mechanical water purification, a single principle of operation is laid. However, this does not prevent them from differing from each other in a number of ways, such as: filter element, shape, method of insertion into the water supply network and the method of cleaning from dirt settled in the sump.
Mesh and cartridge filters
In the strainer, a metal mesh made of stainless steel acts as a filter element. The mesh size of the grid varies in the range of 50-400 microns. The filter is installed in such a way that the revision cover is at the bottom. Fastening the filter to the piping system is carried out with the usual tools available to every plumber. When making threaded connections, ensure their absolute tightness, preventing water leaks.
A coarse mesh filter with an oblique outlet is equipped with a screw cap necessary to clean the mesh from contamination
Mesh filters are very popular with consumers due to their long service life, during which it is not necessary to replace filter elements. This is their indisputable advantage, which is not possessed by cartridge (cartridge) filters that purify water from mechanical impurities.
Models with replaceable cartridges are mounted to the wall, since their design includes an impressive bulb. The walls of the flask can be either transparent or not transparent. A replaceable cartridge made of polyester, twisted polypropylene thread or compressed fiber is placed inside the flask. The cartridges have different filtering capacity. To carry out rough mechanical water purification, cartridges of 20-30 microns are chosen. After clogging of the filter element, it is replaced with a new cartridge.
Important! Rinsing of the used cartridge and its reuse in the filter is prohibited!
Installation of cartridge-type models is usually carried out in tandem with mesh products, thereby providing a better mechanical filtration of the water flow. In this case, strainers are installed in front of the flask devices. This will extend the life of the cartridges.
Straight and oblique strainer
All types of mechanical cleaning filters have two nozzles (inlet and outlet), as well as a settling tank, in which the water flow is directly filtered. According to the location of this sedimentation tank, mesh filters are usually divided into two subspecies: oblique and straight. In the first group, the sump is at an angle with respect to the water flow. Oblique filters are used on pipes located at a close distance from the floor, as well as on vertically located sections of the pipeline.
In the second group, the sump is directed strictly downward, perpendicular to the water flow. Straight filters are large, so there must be enough free space under the pipe for their installation. Due to the larger volume of the sump, vertical filters purify water better. The sump is closed by means of a screw plug or a flange cover.
Vertical sump strainers are installed on horizontal pipes, under which there is free space for preventive maintenance
Flanged and coupled strainers
According to the method of inserting the filtering device into the water pipe, flange and coupling filters are distinguished. The first type of products (flanged) is mounted on pipes whose diameter is two or more inches. Such dimensions are possessed by main water pipelines, as well as interchanges carried out in the basements of multi-storey residential buildings. Thanks to the bolted or threaded connection of the flanges, the filter can be easily removed if necessary, while the dismantling of other elements of the water supply system is not required. Places of installation of flanged-type models on pipes are determined during the development of project documentation for a water supply system.
Important! On pipes with a diameter of up to two inches, threaded filters are installed, which are screwed onto them or connected to them with quick-release union nuts, called "American".
Mud traps and strainers with flushing system
Mesh filters are also subdivided according to the method of cleaning the sump from contamination. Non-washing products are called mud collectors. This category includes all oblique and a number of straight (vertical) strainers equipped with a removable cover. To clean the sump of the device from dirt, it is necessary to disassemble the device and rinse it.
Straight filters with a perpendicular settling tank, equipped with a flushing system, have a drain valve. This valve allows you to drain the settled sediment into the sewerage system, as well as to clean the drain by direct or reverse water flow.
Self-flushing strainers produced by the German company Honeywell, which is a leader among companies engaged in the manufacture of this type of equipment
In-line filters of the Fibos type with a flushing system
Unlike mud collectors and strainers, Fibos filters provide fine water purification. Their filter element is made in the form of a cylinder with an ultra-thin microwire wound coil to coil. The distance between adjacent turns in the winding does not exceed 1 micron. This allows you to retain not only dirt particles, but also 99% of bacteria that form a biofilm on these particles. To prevent the Fibos filter element from getting dirty, the microwire is covered with a thin layer of glass insulation, which prevents particles in the water from adhering to the microwire.
Microwire is a unique technology developed back in the USSR for defense and space purposes; its only mass production in the world is located in Russia.
Fibos filters can be directly flushed through the drain cock into any suitable vessel or sewer system. An additional device allows you to automate the washing process.
The performance of the Fibos line of filters has wide limits. Practically without reducing the pressure in the water supply system, the filters purify 5 liters of water per minute when used in the kitchen under the sink, 16 l / min when cleaning in an apartment or in the country, 50 l / min in cottages, 83 l / min in cottages, swimming pools , up to 1000 l / min in production.
Since Fibos does fine water purification, if necessary, inexpensive cartridge filters can be installed after it to soften water, lower the iron content, and remove chlorine. In this case, the service life of the cartridges is significantly increased.
The cost of Fibos filters is from 7990 rubles with a service life of more than 10 years. Filters operate in both cold and hot water supply systems up to + 95 ° C.
Fine filter Fibos - the leader among in-line filters
How is fine water purification carried out?
Coarse (mechanical) filtration removes most of the contaminants from water, but it is not able to completely cleanse it from a number of chemical elements and their compounds. Therefore, manufacturers offer equipment for fine water purification based on the use as a filter element:
- sorption materials (activated carbon or aluminosilicate);
- reverse osmosis membrane;
- ion exchange resins.
It is important to note that the work items of these filters have to be changed. The frequency of cartridge replacement is indicated by the manufacturer. This value can depend on the time of use, as well as on the volume of filtered water.
Multi-stage systems - ultra-fine cleaning
In multistage water purification systems, after mechanical filtration, the water stream is treated with ultrafine filters, which are divided into several groups. You can learn more about each of them in this video:
A three-stage fine water filter allows you to obtain good quality drinking water. The first stage is responsible for purifying water from mechanical impurities. As a result of this stage, the cloudy water becomes transparent, but the purification process does not stop there. In the second stage, water passes through an ion exchange cartridge, which changes its chemical composition. Oil products, pesticides, iron, chlorine and nitrates are removed from the water. When boiling water that has passed two-stage cleaning, no scale forms on the walls and heating elements of the kettle.
Multistage filters for ultrafine purification of drinking water without preliminary boiling consist of two or three flasks, in which cartridges of various actions are placed
The third stage of water purification is provided by pressed activated carbon, which conditions the water stream. The water acquires a pleasant smell and taste, becomes crystal clear. Ideal for drinking. Three-flask systems are installed in the kitchen under the sink. At the same time, the interior of the room does not suffer. To remove highly purified drinking water, an additional tap is installed on the sink.
Reverse osmosis filters - molecular purification
Reverse osmosis filters are rightfully classified as one of the most advanced water purification systems, since the processes take place at the molecular level. Tap water, passing through a thin-film semi-permeable membrane, the pore size of which is only 0.0001 microns, is purified from 99% of impurities. Only water molecules can seep through the pores of the membrane. Before water enters the reverse osmosis filter, it undergoes several stages of purification. Otherwise, reverse osmosis filters would quickly fail, becoming clogged with large particles.
Typically, water passes through these filters in five stages of purification:
- at the first stage, a cartridge works, which is responsible for mechanical pre-treatment of water from various impurities and suspensions (15-30 microns);
- at the second stage, water is purified with activated carbon, while gases, chlorine and organochlorine compounds are removed;
- at the third stage, fine water purification from mechanical impurities (1-5 microns) is performed, as well as its additional purification with compressed activated carbon;
- at the fourth stage, the reverse osmosis method (cleaning with a thin-film membrane) works;
- at the fifth stage there is a carbon post-filter.
Reverse osmosis filters put an insurmountable barrier to such harmful substances contained in tap water as magnesium and mercury, strontium and arsenic, nitrates and nitrites, cyanides and asbestos, lead and fluorine, iron and chlorine, sulfates, as well as all types of bacteria and viruses. The water becomes crystal clear. Not only harmful substances are removed from it, but, unfortunately, even useful ones. Therefore, some models of reverse osmosis units are additionally equipped with mineralizers and ionizers.
A five-stage reverse osmosis installation for tap water purification allows obtaining the necessary supply of clean drinking water, in which there are no harmful impurities
Installation diagram of the ATOLL reverse osmosis filter system for obtaining crystal clear water in the volume necessary for the needs of the family
It is important to say that if the water pressure in the water supply system is less than 3 atmospheres, then it is necessary to purchase a reverse osmosis filter equipped with a special pump.
Conclusions - which system is right for you?
The choice of a filter is always carried out for specific purposes. It is impractical and economically unprofitable to purify all the water supplied to the house or apartment to the state of drinking. Large particles that enter tap water can be disposed of with a strainer or flask filter. They are installed on the cold water or hot water supply inlet pipe.
Need well-purified drinking water? Then put a multi-stage fine cleaning system (with or without reverse osmosis) under the sink and take out a separate tap for its supply. To protect plumbing and household appliances, install additional fine-cleaning filters that reduce water hardness.