Every Residential Well System needs a filter

We pride ourselves in being able to drill a clean well.  Clean as in, no sand, although almost every well has some sort of minerals in it.  Some definitely worse than others, but these minerals can deposit themselves and cause problems down the plumbing system and in the back of toilets, appliances and hot water heater.  A Cartridge filter will solve some of these issues and that is why every residential well system needs a filter.

We see a lot of customers who buy their own cartridge housings and filters.  Some are installed terribly, a disaster in the making!  Others take the time to do it right, but are deceived by the manufacturers claim that it is a whole house filter.  About the smallest filter cartridge you can buy, is a 2.5″ x 10″ that comes in various microns – usually 5 microns is good.  These are NOT able to handle an entire house and still maintain sufficient pressure.  A larger 2.5″ x 20″ is the best filter for the job.  It is twice the size of a standard filter cartridge and therefore does not need to be changed as often.

Another common problem on the installation side, is that everyone seems to want to install the cartridge housing filter in the line between the pump and tank.  This could be very dangerous and destructive.  Dangerous in that high pressure could build up (depending on pump type) and cause an explosion.  The result could be deadly.  The destructive side would be tearing up a pump, if it were “dead headed”.  A plugged filter would act as a valve that would be closed off, therefore not allowing the water to cool the internals of the pump and it would very quickly self-destruct.  On a jet pump, I have actually seen the pump and the well destroyed by doing this (sand pumping).

Usually a quick look at the installation manual will resolve any of these issues, but if you are still unsure how to install the system, call a professional.  We install filters all the time.  It really is assurance that your dishwasher and washing machine will never have problems with sediment build up.

Thanks for reading,

Jody Anderson