A sediment filter removes silt, sand grains, dirt and rust particles from water. Its micron rated capacity captures the smallest particles, shielding bacteria from exposure and reducing turbidity in your water supply.
Sediment filters are a great addition to any home water treatment system. They protect your plumbing and water-using appliances from clogging and damage, often extending their lifespan by months or even years.
Benefits
A sediment water filter captures solid particulate like dirt and debris from your home’s drinking supply. This is a common first step in any home water filtration system. Flakes of rust that enter your water from corroded galvanized pipes, silt and clay that are carried into your well groundwater supply by rainwater, or even just flow changes in your water line all can transport sediment into your home’s water. A sediment filter prohibits these particles from entering your water, improving the taste and appearance of your home’s water.
These filters can also protect appliances and fixtures that use your home’s water. For example, washing machines, dishwashers and water heaters will malfunction or become clogged if sediment is allowed to build up inside them. A sediment filter prevents this and improves their lifespan.
Sediment filters can also be used as a pre-filter in a carbon block or reverse osmosis filter system to protect these later stages from clogging. They remove the larger dissolved contaminants before they can reach the pores of these filters, allowing them to operate more efficiently and effectively.
Many whole house systems include a sediment filter as a pre-filter to a carbon block or reverse osmosis membrane, to ensure that all illness-causing contaminants are removed from your water. You can also buy a sediment filter on its own as an affordable stand-alone option that will help improve the quality of your home’s water.
Installation
A sediment filter acts as the first line of defense in your home water filtration system. It prevents dirt and sand grains from entering your water supply, which can clog and damage household appliances. It also impedes other filtration methods, like carbon and reverse osmosis, from effectively purifying your water.
Sediment filters are a mechanical device that uses porosity to block unwanted particles. They can be installed anywhere along your water piping, but are most often installed after the well pump and pressure tank and before other water treatment equipment like water softeners or water filters.
Choosing a sediment filter that’s right for you depends on your water quality and the type of filtration you need in your home. Sediment filter micron ratings are the best way to determine what size of particles your filter is capable of eliminating. A sediment filter with a 10-micron micron rating will eliminate particles 10 microns in size and larger.
A whole house sediment filter will protect your household appliances from clogging and damage, saving you money in repairs or replacements. It will also extend the life of your appliances and improve overall water pressure in your home. A high-quality sediment filter can even help you avoid the cost and hassle of purchasing and storing plastic bottled water, which can damage the environment when it is thrown away after use.
Maintenance
Sediment filters are designed to trap sand, silt, and dirt in water. This helps to protect any water treatment system and any other home plumbing systems as well as all water-using appliances.
One of the most common types of sediment filter is the woven string filter. These filters are made of a tightly wound cotton, polyester, or polypropylene string with graded density to trap particulate matter. When these filter elements are fully loaded with sediment, they may start to clog and restrict water flow. This is an indication that the filter needs to be changed or cleaned.
Another popular sediment filter type is the pleated filter. These filters have a large surface area, and they are best for when you are filtering sediment of the same size. These filters can usually be cleaned by placing them in a bucket of lukewarm water and using muriatic acid or oxalic acid as instructed on the product packaging. You can then rinse them well and reinstall them.
You can also monitor the filter by observing its appearance. Most sediment filters are clear, so you can easily see when it is time to change them. You can also check the sediment level in your toilet tank to get an idea of how long you should go between changes. This way, you will know exactly when you need to install a new sediment filter in your home.
Replacement
If the sediment in your well water isn’t removed, it can cause rust flecks in your home drinking water that make it taste bad (at worst) and appear murky or cloudy (at best). A sediment filter prevents this, making it an essential part of any whole-house water filtration system.
Sediment filters are the first line of defense, and they set the stage so other filters can do their jobs. They remove the big particles like dirt and sand grains so other filters can filter out the chemicals and residual leftovers that make your drinking water unhealthy.
They also protect household plumbing and reduce maintenance costs for appliances like washing machines, dishwashers and water heaters by reducing the risk of corrosion. If you’re concerned about rust in your home water, installing a sediment pre-filter is the most cost-effective solution to the problem.
When your sediment filter starts getting clogged, you’ll know it’s time to replace it. There are several different types of sediment filters on the market, and the type you choose will depend on how much sediment is in your water supply, where it’s coming from, and your specific needs. For example, a string-wound sediment filter consists of cotton, polyester or polypropylene strings that are tightly wound around a core to create a graded density that traps particulate matter. When the string becomes clogged with sediment, it loosens and shifts, which lets sediment back into your water, so you need to change the filter regularly.