One system, at the one pipe all your water uses.
A whole-house filter is plumbed in where water enters your home. After that point, every shower, faucet and washing machine is downstream of it.
Why the main line
Your home has one main water line, and it branches from there. A system at that point sits ahead of every branch, so there is nothing to mount at each sink and nothing to remember room by room.
Two broad styles exist. Tank systems run water through a bed of media. Cartridge systems run it through replaceable filters in housings. Each has real tradeoffs in footprint, flow, upkeep and cost, and the right one depends on your house and your water. Our lineup is being finalized, so this page explains the category, not a specific model.
What's typically in one
- 1
Shutoff and bypass
Valves that let the plumber isolate the system, and let water go around it during service, so the house doesn't lose water while a filter gets changed.
- 2
Sediment stage
Often a pleated or spun cartridge up front. As a filter type, it's there to catch grit and particles before they reach what's behind it.
- 3
Main stage
On tank systems, a bed of media such as carbon. On cartridge systems, one or more larger cartridges. Water needs enough contact time with most media, which is why size matters more than looks.
- 4
Connections back to the house
The line returns to your plumbing after the system. From there, the water reaches every fixture on the branch that was tied in.
It usually makes sense when
- You want the same water at the shower and the washing machine, not only the kitchen.
- Your main line is reachable, in a garage, utility closet or outside wall.
- You own the home, or the association has signed off on the work.
- You're on city water. We're starting there, so if you're on a private well, tell us when you call.
It may not be the right call when
- You only care about the water you drink. An under-sink reverse osmosis system is a smaller job.
- There's no room near the main line, or no way to get to it without opening walls.
- You're in a condo where the main line is shared. You may only control what's in your unit.
What we look at in your photos
- Where the main line enters and what shape the pipe is in
- Pipe material and size at that spot
- Floor or wall space around it
- Whether a drain and an outlet are nearby, for models that need them
- Your water bill or utility name, so we know who supplies your water
What upkeep looks like
- Cartridges. Cartridge stages get replaced on a schedule set by the manufacturer and how much water you use. [interval pending supplier spec]
- Tank media. Media beds last longer than cartridges but don't last forever, and replacing one is a bigger job. [interval pending supplier spec]
- Bypass check. Worth knowing where your bypass is and how it works. Your plumber should show you before leaving.
The lineup comes with real numbers, or not at all.
| Model | [model and brand pending supplier] |
|---|---|
| Installed price | [price pending supplier] |
| Independent listing | [certification listing pending supplier] |
| Warranty | [warranty terms pending supplier and counsel] |
| Standard install scope | [standard install scope pending plumber review] |
Common questions
Will a whole-house filter lower my water pressure?
Any filter adds some resistance. How much you'd notice depends on the system's flow rating, your pipe size and how many fixtures run at once. Sizing is the reason we ask about bathrooms and home size before pricing anything.
Tank or cartridge, which do you sell?
The lineup is still being finalized. When it is, this page will name the models and show their specs and any independent listings. Until then we explain both styles and don't favor one.
Does it filter the water for my whole house, including outside spigots?
Only what's plumbed downstream of the system. Many homes have hose bibs or irrigation that branch off before that point, and many owners want it that way. The plumber confirms what's on which side.
Do I need a permit?
It depends on the city and the scope of the plumbing work. We are confirming this city by city with our plumbers and will state it plainly on your written price.
