ShowerMeister : Your Ultimate Guide to Water Filtration!

The human body is composed of 60% water. filtration system of water is essential for the proper functioning of the human body. For tiny cells and tissues to the entire nervous and digestive system, water comes as an important element. Water keeps you hydrated, removes body wastes, protects your joints and organs, helps in digestion, and prevents a number of diseases. We review best hard water shower filter . Cool  Shower heads things like a  shower heads with led lights

To allow water to do its functions properly, you must drink pure water like a reverse osmosis system water . Consuming water with contaminants adversely affects your body and skin. It is bad for overall health. That’s where waterfall shower head comes in! 

Your house might already have a water filter installed. However, with various new technologies coming up, it is time you upgrade your water filter. In this comprehensive guide, we are going to list down the top benefits of using water filters, the best water filter technologies, and how you can pick the right one for your water filtration needs. 

What Makes Water Filters Necessary? 

You might be thinking that water that reaches your home comes after a filtration process. Yes, it does. However, municipal water filters are not effective enough to remove all the contaminants and pollutants from water. Usually, they test the quality of water after filtration and not after it reaches the houses. The Best Faucet Water Filters and sewage system are responsible for adding a lot of contaminants and pollutants back in the water. 

This raises the need for installing Best whole House Water Filter at your home. So when you turn on the tap, you are not solely relying on the municipal water filtration system. 

Water filters are necessary to install at your homes because they effectively remove contaminants, parasites, microorganisms, chemicals, and heavy metals from water. It keeps you protected from waterborne diseases such as diarrhea, dehydration, and weight loss.

Thus, filtering water before drinking is crucial for good health. It ensures you are taking in filtered and pure water. This way, your skin, and body remain fresh, active, and healthy. 

Top 10 Advantages of Using a Water Filter

There are many advantages you get for using a shower filter for well water. The top 10 include:

1. Better taste and odor. A water filter removes contaminants like chlorine, which are responsible for poor taste and odor of the water. Water filter makes your water taste and smells fresher and purer. 
2. Lead removal. A water filter removes lead from the water, which is one of the most harmful heavy metals. It results in poor health effects and is detrimental to the human body. 
3. Removal of chlorine and by-products. A water filter removes chlorine and its by-products from the water as these lead to carcinogens entering your body. 
4. Maintaining pH. The water filter maintains the pH of the water. This way, the water you drink is neither too acidic nor too basic. 
5. Prevention of diseases. Water filter prevents waterborne diseases such as diarrhea and keeps you safe from deadly diseases such as cancer. Clean water improves your immune system and helps fight against illness. 
6. Healthier food. The food you cook using unfiltered water is not healthy. The water filter makes sure that you cook and eat healthier food with no contaminants. 
7. Removal of bacteria. Water coming through your taps has bacteria. Water filter, especially UV filter, removes bacteria from the water and protects you from infections. 
8. Removal of toxins. An effective water filter removes more than 2000 toxins from the water. These stop your exposure to toxins. 
9. Easy maintenance. No water filter is hard to maintain. All you need to do is regular cleaning and timely cartridge/filter changes. 
10. Cost-effective. A good water filter is highly cost-effective. You get to drink clean water at lesser costs. 

These advantages turn out to be the most significant reasons for installing a water filter. Without a water filter, you will be welcoming poor health and the adverse effects of your skin. 

Types of Water Filters

As science and technology have progressed, several new types of water filters have emerged. These are more effective than traditional water filtration methods. There are different materials used in water filters today. 

The following are the 5 common types of water filters, each of which has its own pros and cons. Read on to know how each of these works. You will surely end up with the one suitable for your household. 

1. Activated Carbon

Activated carbon is the most common kind of water filter. It is easy and cheap to install. Activated carbon comes out of charcoal. It is a carbon molecule that is better at trapping gaseous molecules than regular carbon due to its highly porous structure. 

One of its popular types is granular activated carbon. Activated carbon and granular activated carbon are quick and effective to use as filter mediums. 

Several activated carbon filters are treated with chemicals to increase their capability of filtering specific contaminants and pollutants. 

How it Works?

Activated carbon works upon the principle of adsorption. Yes, you read it right ad-sorption. 

Adsorption is a process in which pollutants are attracted to activated carbon and stick on it. This occurs as the gaseous and several liquid particles are trapped by activated carbon, a solid filter medium. 

This way, organic chemicals from the air are trapped, and the resulting water has no gaseous molecules. However, activated carbon becomes less effective over time. This is because the adsorption sites get filled up with gaseous molecules, and there is no room to attract further particles. 

Activated carbon filter gets saturated over time. It might release some bad odors and particles with lighter affinity to water. It is best to change a saturated activated carbon filter as soon as possible. 

Pros

• Quite inexpensive 
• Removes volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
• Removes bad odors

Cons

• Requires frequent filter replacement
• Only removes gaseous particles 

1. Distillation

Distillation is one of the oldest methods of water filtration but remains effective even today. It softens the water in the best possible manner. 

Water distillation follows the principle of natural water purification. The heat from the sun evaporates water from seas and lakes into vapors. As vapors rise, they begin to cool. The cooling vapors form clouds and return to Earth in the form of rain, snow, and hail. Distillation copies this natural cycle. 

The equipment used for the distillation of water is known as water distillers. These are one of the most common water filters used in many households today. 

How it Works?

A water distiller treats the contaminated water through in two steps:

1. Process of evaporation
2. Process of condensation 

It boils the water to turn into vapors so that all the contaminants, pollutants, and heavy metals are eliminated. Then, it cools the water back into liquid form, making it purer and free of contaminants. 

The boiling chamber comes with a heating element that makes the water boil. The particles such as heavy metals cannot evaporate, and so, they remain in the boiling chamber. The steam that forms in the boiling chamber travels to the condenser through a vent. Usually, the condenser is a stainless steel tube and is equipped with a high-powered fan. So, the vapors quickly turn into a liquid state. 

Pros

• Removes all the bacteria, viruses, heavy metals and contaminants
• Requires no complex installation
• Higher ROI

Cons

• Consumes a lot of electric power
• The slower rate of water production (1 gallon in 4 to 6 hours)
• Low oxygen content 

1. Ion Exchange

Ion Exchange is the best filtration method for water softening. It is used for the treatment of heavy metals that do not only pollute the water but are also bad for your pipes, utensils, and skin – in short, everything they come in contact with. Ion exchange is one of the basic water filtration technologies, which has proved to be quite effective. 

In fact, ion exchange filters can be regenerated and put to use again. 

How it Works?

Ion Exchange filters work on the principle of neutralization. Water should always have a neutral charge. It turns positive or negative due to heavy metals such as calcium, magnesium, bicarbonates, lead, and arsenic, etc. 

An Ion Exchange filter comes with beads of polymer resins. These beads bind positive ions of magnesium, calcium, and other heavy metals, as well as negative ions of bicarbonates and other negatively charged particles in the water. As hard water flows through the filter, all the cations and anions bind to the filter letting soft water flow through. 

However, it releases positive ions in exchange for a positive ion it attracts. For example, polymer resin attracts a calcium ion and releases a sodium ion. This softens the water to a large extent. The sodium content in water might increase depending on the efficiency of polymer beads. 

As we mentioned regeneration of ion exchange filters above, it is important to tell you that when polymer beads reach their capacity, the filter regenerates into its original condition through the use of a regenerant such as sodium chloride or hydrochloric acid. This makes your filter ready to exchange ions again. 

So if you are suffering from the problems of water hardness, the Ion Exchange water filter is the best option to consider. 

Pros

• Best against heavy metals
• Produces soft water
• Can be regenerated 

Cons

• Does not remove sediment and microorganisms
• Bacteria can grow in the filter. 
• A bit expensive 

1. Reverse Osmosis

Reverse Osmosis (RO) is a comparatively advanced method of water filtration. It is highly effective as it removes 99% of ions, contaminants, organic particles, and various other pollutants. Reverse osmosis is the opposite of osmosis, which is one of the naturally occurring processes. While osmosis turns weaker saline solution to a stronger saline solution, RO does the opposite. 

Usually, the RO system comes with several types of filters to purify the water at different stages. A simple RO filter has 5 to 6 stages. 

How it Works?

RO takes place through the use of a semi-permeable membrane. By applying energy, you can turn a stronger saline solution (containing ions, organics, and heavy particles) into a weaker saline solution, which is pure water. 

As the pressure is applied and water tends to pass through the semi-permeable membrane, it only allows water molecules to pass. The majority of particles, such as dissolved salts, organics, and others, do not pass through this membrane. 

That’s how a RO system works to desalinate the water. It demineralized and deionized the water so that you are only left with pure water. 

For an RO system to work effectively, it requires a high-pressure pump. Only then will it retain contaminants and pollutants to force just the water molecules to pass through. The desalinated water comes out as permeate or product. 

The salts and other contaminants that are trapped at the semi-permeable membrane move into the reject stream, also called brine or concentrate stream. This stream is usually connected with a drain so that these particles find no way back into the water. 

Pros

• Removes 99% of water pollutants
• Best for treating underground and surface water
• Longer lifespan 
• Less water wasted during filtration

Cons

• Does not remove bacteria and viruses until UV filter attached
• Lowers down the pH of the water 
• Removes some essential minerals
• Expensive 

1. UV Filter

A UV water filter is the most advanced type of water filter. It is known for removing bacteria, viruses, parasites, and fungi from the water. UV filter produces micro-biologically safe water. The UV light damages the DNA of bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms to make them ineffective. This way, these organisms do not enter the human body, and there are no chances that they replicate in your digestive system. UV purifiers are highly safe and effective. 

UV filters work better than chlorination. These do not alter the chemical composition of water. Also, these are easier to clean and maintain. 

It is important to note here that UV light can be unsafe for human beings in some ways. It is advised not to look at UV light inside the filter with the naked eye. 

How it Works?

UV filters work by using germicidal ultraviolet wavelength to render bacteria, viruses, and cysts ineffective. The wavelength of UV light is 254nm, which is strong enough to destroy the DNA of microorganisms so that they are unable to reproduce. It ensures that bacteria do not spread any diseases in the human body. 

High the energy provided, the better the UV filter operates. 

In a UV purifier, UV light/bulb is placed within a glass quartz sleeve. As this sleeve is transparent, UV light easily penetrates through. That’s how it targets the microorganisms to deactivate them. 

Pros

• Removes bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms
• No filtered waste to remove or drain 
• Great efficiency
• Higher water output
• No water wastage during filtration 

Cons

• Requires electric supply
• Only removes microorganisms 
• Quite expensive 

Assessing the Quality of Water 

To determine the water filter you need, it is important to check the quality of water. The water quality helps assess the water filter technology you should install. 

When it comes to drinking water, you must not rely on guesses. Finding out the quality of water is the only effective way to choose the right filter. 

Water quality means the concentration of contaminants in water. These contaminants include but are not limited to chlorine, heavy metals, bacteria, viruses, nitrates, pesticides, and other microorganisms. 

The pH of water also tells about its quality. Water should have a neutral pH. If the pH turns out to be too acidic or too basic, it confirms the presence of contaminants and, thus, regards water quality as poor. 

The following are some effective ways to test the quality of water. 

1. Using a Test Kit

There are several water quality test kits available on the market. These come with test strips that change the color of the strip after you dip it in water. The color change represents the concentration of contaminants in water. 

Buy the right test kit

You must note here that buying a quality test kit is important. A test kit that comes with a single strip only determines the pH of water. The right test kit will contain different strips for chlorine, heavy metals, bacteria, pesticides, nitrates/nitrides, and pH. 

Read the instructions carefully

You must read the instructions on the test kit carefully. To check the accurate water quality, following the instructions is a must. The directions will explain that for how long you should keep the strip in the water, what color change indicates and what should be the temperature of the water. 

Determining water quality

As you are done performing the test, wait until the right color appears. Only then can you compare the color of the strip to the provided color chart. It tells you if the water quality is good, average, or really poor. 

In case the water quality turns out to be hazardous, you should perform the test again to ensure there’s no human error. 

1. Using Your Senses 

Using your senses is the most basic way to test the quality of water. The contaminated and polluted water has a bad taste, foul smell, and yellowish color. Even though this is not as accurate as using the test kit, it gives you a rough idea about the water quality. 

Smelling the water

By smelling the water, one can find the presence of contaminants in it. 

• If your water smells like bleach, the chances are that municipal services use chlorination as a filtration method. 
• If your water smells like rotten eggs, it indicates the presence and growth of bacteria in the water. 
• If your water smells like earth or must, it might be having organic matter which is decomposing or decaying. 

To know the cause of the smell, fill a glass of water and take it to another room in your house. Wait for a few minutes and then smell again. If it smells the same, there are chances of contamination in the municipal pipes and your faucet. If it does not, your drain is most likely smelling. 

Tasting the water 

You can also find the presence of contaminants by tasting the water. However, keep in mind that you must not swallow water if it has an unusual taste. 

• If the water has a metallic taste, it indicates the presence of excessive minerals and low pH. 
• If the water tastes like bleach, it confirms chlorination treatment at the municipal level. 
• If the water tastes salty, it tells about the presence of sulfates or chlorine ions. 

Observing the water 

Another sensory way to check the water quality is by observing its color with your eyes.

• If the water is yellowish, brownish, or murky, it confirms that the water is contaminated. 

Also, you can get to know the quality of water by observing if there are any particles in the water or if the water is cloudy. 

• If there are brown, red, or orange particles, it shows the signs of rust in pipelines. 
• If there are black particles, it can be due to hoses in your faucets. 
• If there are white or tan particles, it shows the presence of heavy metals. 

Another way is to observe your pipes, leaks, and fixtures. 

• Large mineral buildup in pipes means water running through will surely get contaminated. 
• Rust or corrosion indicates pollutants in water.
• Blue or white sediment represents poor water quality.
• Leaking pipes also make water prone to pollution and contamination. 

1. Getting Water Quality Test from Laboratory

The most accurate way to test the water quality is by getting a water quality test from a laboratory. Take a sample of water from your tap and give it to the laboratory for testing. The test report will indicate the presence of contaminants as well as the percentage of each contaminant. 

This is the best way to test water quality and take effective measures accordingly. 

Choosing the Right Water Filter

Now that you have determined the quality of your water, you will know with the reason for poor quality. Your water might show poor quality due to limescale deposits, hard water, or a large number of microorganisms. 

Here we have the best water filters according to various situations. Also, we have managed to bring water filters for different budget options. So no matter what your budget is, you are going to get a plausible solution here. 

For Limescale Deposits

If your water has limescale deposits, you must get rid of them immediately. 

Low Budget Option? Ion Exchange Filter.

Ion Exchange filter will remove magnesium and chlorine ions and replace them with sodium ions. This will remove the limescale deposit; however, the water might turn a bit salty due to the higher concentration of sodium. 

Ion exchange filters are cheap and effective. They will soften the water and solve limescale problems. 

Medium Budget Option? Electronic Water Softener.

An electronic water softener is an efficient way of getting rid of limescale deposits. You will get salt-free softened water. Also, these do not remove the minerals, so you neither face excessive minerals nor mineral deficiency in the water. 

Electronic water softeners come in small sizes and fit right on your water feed pipe. 

High Budget Option? Whole House Water Filtration System.

Whole house water filtration systems are large and expensive. These are powerful enough to remove all the heavy metals and produce soft water for your drinking, cooking, washing, and bathing needs. 

The whole house water filtration system ensures there is no limescale left in the water. 

For Bad Taste and Odor

If your water tastes and smells bad, the following are the best water filtration choices:

Low Budget Option? Activated Carbon Filter. 

Activated carbon filters are being used for the elimination of bad taste and odor for centuries. These are the most simple and reliable way to solve your problem. Also, these come in various kinds and sizes. This allows you to choose one according to your requirements. 

Medium Budget Option? Ozone Water Filter. 

Ozone water filters remove contaminants of water and result in better taste, no smell. There are several kinds of ozone water filters, each having a different amount of ozone. However, the water might have ozone smell and taste but is not harmful. 

High Budget Option? Reverse Osmosis Filter. 

If your water has extremely poor taste and smell, reverse osmosis filter is the potential solution. These are all-round water filtration systems and will remove all the contaminants, which lead to a poor smell. These filters imply different stages of filtration to ensure great water quality. 

For Bacteria and Harmful Microorganisms

If your water quality tests show a high amount of bacteria and microorganisms, you need to find a solution before you are infected with severe disease. 

Low Budget Option? Water Distillation Filter. 

Water distillation filters are the most economical ones to remove microorganisms. These follow the process of evaporation and condensation to remove harmful organisms from the water. The resulting water is pure and free of microorganisms. 

Medium Budget Option? UV Filter. 

UV filters are specifically designed to kill bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms. They are compact in size. Also, these are easy to install. With UV filter, you are going to observe a significant decline in bacteria and microorganisms in water. 

High Budget Option? Reverse Osmosis Filter with UV filter. 

To ensure the elimination of microorganisms along with other contaminants such as dissolved salts, heavy metals, and organics, reverse osmosis filter with a UV filter stage is the most appropriate solution. 

RO filter first removes all the contaminants by passing them through the semi-permeable membrane and then treats water with UV light to kill bacteria. 

Getting the Right Size of Water Filter

When it comes to water filters, size matters a lot. You need to have enough space to install the water filter. At the same time, it is important to have an efficient water filter. Following are the filters categorized according to their sizes:

Small-sized Filters

If you are looking for small-sized filters, you will come across many different filters. These require little space and so, do not interfere in your regular household work. The best compact filters include:

• Activated carbon filters
• Electronic water filters
• Ion exchange filters
• Some small ROs 

Medium-sized Filters

Medium-sized filters take up more space, and so, you might need to clear the area before installation. Medium-sized filters are good for average-sized kitchens. These include:

• Reverse osmosis systems
• Some ion exchange filters
• Water distillers with high capacity 
• Ozone filters

Large-sized Filters

Large-sized filters serve the water filtration needs of your entire house. If you want to have filtered water for drinking, cooking, bathing, and washing, only large-sized filters can deliver your needs. 

As the name suggests, these filters take up a lot of space. Usually, these filters are installed in basements or in a shed. The best large-sized filters are:

• Whole house water filtration system
• Whole house multi-layer filters
• Deionization units 

Now that you know the water filters according to size, you can pick the one according to your space to help solve your water quality issues. 

Water Filter Mounting Options

Now when it comes to mounting, there are several types of filters in each category. For instance, reverse osmosis systems feature different mounting options. Some of them can be installed under the sink, while others can be placed on countertops. 

With flexible mounting options available out there, you need not worry a lot about this. Some common water filter mounting options are:

Under-sink Installation

Under sink water filtration  installation is the most common mounting option. Most of the households place water filters in the cabinet under the sink so that they take up the required space while not posing any interference to the movements in the kitchen. 

Hiding your water filter in a kitchen cabinet keeps them safe from insects and other damaging means.  

On-counter Installation

On-counter installation goes well for small-sized filters. You can easily fix them on your countertop near the water tap. Nowadays, water filters come designed in advanced styles. This does not make the water filter look like an additional accessory in the kitchen. 

Also, it is easier to maintain and replace filters in countertop water filters. 

Faucet Mounted

The most compact mounting option is on the faucet. With faucet-mounted filters, you need not have any additional space. These are directly installed on your faucets.

Also, these are simple to install. All you need to do is remove the faucet’s aerator and connect the faucet to the filter. This does not disrupt the water flow either. You will enjoy the clean running water. 

Pitchers or Dispensers 

Pitchers and dispensers are the best portable water filters. You need not fix them anywhere as they work independently. You will most likely require an electrical source only. As you plugin, you can get clean water whenever you like. 

These water filters do not need to run all the time either. Also, less water wastes infiltration. 

Tips for Effective Maintenance of Water Filter Systems

Water filters, like any other machine or accessory in your home, need proper maintenance. Without effective maintenance, the lifespan of your water filter decreases. To make sure that your water filters keep running for long and offer great performance, you need to keep the following tips in mind:

1. Regular Cleaning 

Regular cleaning of your water filter prevents mineral buildup. Also, it helps remove contaminants and dirt in the filter. Rinse the filter with warm water. Avoid using any kind of harsh cleaning tools and products. 

Water filters, especially water softeners, build up excessive salt over time. This causes blockage and renders poor performance. Hot water can remove the blockage and allow proper flow. 

It is important to clean the water filter every day, inside and out. Also, you can use a monitoring system that notifies when your filter needs cleaning. 

1. Wash the Filters

Some filters can be washed to restore their original condition. However, it is important to know if the filter is washable. If it is, you should wash the filter at least every two weeks. 

1. Change the Filters

No matter the kind of filter, each needs replacement after a time or so. Some water filters use one filter cartridge, while others use multiple filters. For instance, activated carbon filter comes with a carbon filter cartridge only. On the other hand, reverse osmosis filters might include carbon filter, ion-exchange filter, UV filter, and whatnot. 

You must know the lifespan of each filter in your water filter. It comes mentioned in the instruction manual in the form of months or gallons. As soon as the filter saturates, replace it with a new one to ensure optimum performance.

1. Check the Performance of Beads

Some filters, such as ion exchange filters, come with beads instead of filter cartridges. Most of the beads allow regeneration. You need to keep a check on the performance of your filter to determine the functioning of beads. 

If it needs regeneration, treat it with the regenerant immediately. It keeps your water filter updated and maintained. 

1. Change UV Bulb

Filters that come with a UV bulb also need maintenance. Whether it is a UV filter alone or a RO system that includes UV filter, know that UV bulb has a limited lifespan. As it ends, a UV light will be unable to kill bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms. 

1. Clean the Canister Every Six Months

The canister is the area in your filtration system that holds the filter. Just like the filter, it can also be filled with sediment and contaminants over time. You should clean the cleaner every six months. 

1. Replacing Filtration System 

If you have been using a water filtration system for years, it needs replacement once it reaches a certain age. In case you have been really keen on maintenance, the system might keep working for a bit longer. 

If not, it is best to replace the filtration system to enjoy clean water. 

With these tips in mind, your filtration system will offer excellent performance. You will not face clogging issues. With regular cleaning and proper maintenance, your water filter won’t need to be replaced with a new one anytime soon. 

Water Filtration vs. Purification

Quite often, the term filtration and purification are used interchangeably. However, there exists a significant difference between the two. Some water units out there are called water filters, while others as water purifiers. 

Here’s how they differ:

Water filters include single or multiple filters, each functioning to remove certain particles. Some categories of contaminants are completely eliminated, some are removed partially while others remain in the water. The resulting water is clean but not 100%. Thus, it cannot be called pure water. 

Water purifiers, on the other hand, work to eliminate 90 to 99 percent of the contaminants, pollutants, and other harmful substances from water. Therefore, they result in pure water to a great extent. 

Do Some Filters Remove Beneficial Minerals Too? 

Yes, several water filters remove useful minerals from the water. For example, a reverse osmosis system. As it works to desalinate the water, it demineralizes the water during the process. This reduces the mineral content in water leading to lower pH than average. 

However, many water filters include remineralization cartridges or filters in order to alkalize the water and increase mineral content. This restores the beneficial minerals and makes the water tasting fresher and purer. 

If you are installing a water filter, it is important to check if the filter removes beneficial minerals. If it does, know if remineralization takes place. This way, you can ensure that you consume the right amount of minerals. 

Take Away

Water filters have become increasingly important today. With the rising air and water pollution, the number of contaminants, pollutants, chemicals, and other impurities in water is enhancing every day. If we keep on ignoring these problems, we can end up with poor health. To keep ourselves perfectly healthy, consuming clean water is really significant. By consuming, we do not only mean clean drinking water but also cooking, washing, and showering with clean water.

Without clean water, our bodies become prey to different diseases, some of which can be deadly. Water filters come as the best solution to our clean water needs. These might seem to be expensive but are worth your investment. 

So, what are you waiting for? Get hold of the right water filter using this guide today!