Water Softener Installation & Repair
Fit a softener for hard Front Range water, or get a tired one regenerating again.
Hot water and water quality ยท Lafayette, CO
Water Filtration Installation in Lafayette, CO
Filters solve specific problems: sediment, chlorine taste, odor or particles. The first step is to find out what is in your water. The second is to pick a filter that targets it, so you do not pay for a system that misses the issue.
Read your utility's annual water quality report before choosing a filter.
What filters remove
- SedimentSand, silt and rust flakes.
- Chlorine taste and odorCarbon filters reduce both.
- Some contaminantsDepends on the filter's certification.
Start with what is in the water
Municipal suppliers issue a yearly water quality summary known as a consumer confidence report. It lists detected substances and the disinfectant used. A home water test fills in what happens inside your pipes.
Without a target, a filter is a guess. A plumber can recommend a type once you know whether the issue is taste, particles, odor or something else.
Whole-house or under-sink
A whole-house filter sits at the main and treats every tap, shower and appliance. It suits sediment and chlorine. An under-sink unit treats one tap, often the kitchen, with finer filtration for drinking water.
Reverse osmosis systems under the sink remove many dissolved substances but waste some water and need a drain connection. A faucet-mounted pitcher is a lower-cost option for small needs.
Cost
What affects filtration costs
Cost is a mix of the unit and its yearly upkeep.
Ask for the total cost of the first two years, not only the install price.
In Lafayette
Filtering Front Range water
Front Range water is hard, and a regional estimate lists Lafayette near 9 grains per gallon. A filter does not remove hardness minerals. For scale, see the softener page.
Snowmelt and storm runoff can shift taste and clarity by season. If the water looks cloudy after work on a main, run the cold tap for a few minutes before changing a filter.
Certifications to look for
Look for a certification from an accredited body such as NSF, with the specific standard listed for the contaminant you care about. A label that says it improves taste is not the same as one that reduces a named contaminant.
Ask the installer for the model's data sheet, the cartridge life and the cost of replacement cartridges. Those running costs matter more than the purchase price.
Maintenance
Cartridges clog and lose capacity. A sediment filter may need a change every few months, and a carbon block every six to twelve. Mark the date on the housing or set a calendar reminder.
An old cartridge can harbor bacteria or restrict flow. If pressure drops after a filter goes in, the housing may be undersized or the cartridge may be spent.
Sizing and placing a whole-house filter
A whole-house filter has to match the flow of the house. A housing that is too small restricts pressure when two showers run, and a housing that is too large costs more without helping. The installer measures the main line size and asks about the number of bathrooms.
The filter goes after the main shutoff and the pressure regulator, with isolation valves on both sides and a bypass if the layout allows. That way you can change a cartridge without shutting off the whole house. Leave room below the housing to unscrew it.
Cartridge types in plain terms
A sediment cartridge traps particles such as sand and rust flakes. A carbon block cartridge cuts chlorine flavor and smell, along with certain organic compounds. A pleated cartridge can be washed and reused, while a depth cartridge is thrown away when spent.
Many systems stack two stages, sediment first and carbon second, so the carbon does not clog early. Read the data sheet for the micron rating, which tells you the size of particle the cartridge stops.
Related water quality pages
Water Heater Repair
Track down cold showers, rumbling noises, leaks and a pilot light that keeps going out.
Faucet & Sink Repair
End drips, weak flow, stuck shutoffs and dripping outdoor spigots.
Common questions
Answers on Filtration
No. Softening needs ion exchange. Filters reduce particles, taste and some contaminants.
Follow the maker's schedule, and change it sooner if flow drops.
Yes, at the main. It reduces flow slightly, so size it to the house.
Calls are taken at all hours. If the housing drips, close its supply valve and then ring. New installations are done in daytime.
Water tastes or smells off?
Call the line, describe the taste or odor, and ask about testing and filter options.