How to Install a Whole House Water Filter on a Well?
Written by: Alexandra Uta // Last Updated: Aug 15, 2023
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A whole house water filter is important to any well water home.
By installing a whole house water filter on your private well, you can be sure that all the water coming to your home is clean and free of contaminants.
This article will show you how to install a whole house water filter on a well.
Contents
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Key Takeaways
Follow these steps for installing a whole house water filter on a well:
- Shut off the water supply and release pressure from within the pipes by opening nearest outlets
- Remove pipe section from main water line
- Optional: Install valves and gauges
- Install the well water filtration system
- Turn the water back on, flush, and check for leaks
Location – Where to Install a Whole House Well Water Filter
Whole house water filters are point-of-entry (POE) systems, meaning that they are installed at the main water line coming into your home. This allows them to filter all the water entering your home, no matter which faucet or fixture is used.
The ideal location for a whole house water filter is near the main shut-off valve for your home. This can be found outside before the water enters or inside your garage, basement, or utility room.
Installing it here will also make it easy to shut off the well water to your home if you need to service the filter or make repairs.
Installation Diagram
Before or After the Water Softener?
A whole house well water filter can be installed before or after a water softener, depending on a few factors.
- Suppose your well water is high in sediment. In that case, it’s best to install the filter before the water softener so that the filter can remove the sediment before it damages the water softener.
- If you are dealing with hard water and just moderate levels of sediment, you may want to install the filter after the water softener so that the latter can remove the hardness before it damages the filter.
Parts and Tools You Need for Installation
Below are the typical materials to prepare before installing a whole house water filter on a well supply:
Parts
- A whole house water filter system and its components
- Mounting brackets (if needed)
- Tubing and fittings
- Shut-off valves
Tools
- Drill and drill bits
- Teflon tape
- Bucket
- Wrenches (adjustable and pipe)
- Screwdriver
- Hacksaw or pipe cutter (if necessary)
How to Install a Whole House Water Filter on a Well
The process for installing a whole house water filter system for well water is the same as for any other type of home. Here are the step-by-step instructions:
1. Shut Off the Water Supply
Before you begin any installation, shutting off the water supply is crucial. This will prevent any accidents from happening while you are working. For a whole house water filter system, you will need to shut off the main water supply to your home.
2. Release the Pressure in the Pipes
After the well water supply has been shut off, you will need to release any pressure in the pipes. To do this, simply turn on all the faucets or water outlets in your home and let them run until the water is no longer flowing.
3. Remove a Pipe Section
Next, you will need to remove a section of pipe from the main water line to accommodate your whole house water filter system. Make sure to measure twice and cut once to have the correct size pipe. Place your bucket under the pipe before cutting a section in case more water will spill out.
4. Install Valves and Fittings
Now, you will need to install the valves and fittings for the whole house water filter system. This typically includes the inlet valve and outlet valve. Make sure that all of the connections are tight. Use Teflon tape on all the threaded ends so there are no leaks.
Tees
Tees are one of the most important pipe fittings because they are used to connect two pipes. In this case, you will need to connect the main water line to the inlet and outlet ports of the whole house filter.
Bypass Valves
Bypass valves are optional. They are used if you need water while the system is in service mode. To install bypass valves, connect one each to the inlet and outlet pipes.
Shut-off Valves
Shut-off valves turn the water off to the whole house filtration system. To place the shut-off valves, simply install one each to the inlet and outlet pipes.
5. Install the Whole House Water Filter
Now, you are ready to install the whole house water filter itself. First, connect the inlet valve to the main water line. Then, connect the outlet valve to the pipe that leads to your home.
6. Turn the Water Back On
Once everything is connected, you can now turn on the water supply. Slowly open up the main water valve and let the well water flow through the system.
7. Flush and Check for Leaks
Once the water flows through the system, you must flush out the filter. This can be done by simply running all the faucets in your home for a few minutes. After flushing the filter, check all of the connections for any leaks.
About Soldering
Soldering is the process of joining two pieces of metal together by melting a tin-based solder onto the surface of the metal. To properly solder two pieces of metal together, you must first clean the surfaces that will be joined.
Once the surfaces are clean, you must apply heat to the joint using a soldering iron. When the joint is hot enough, you can then touch the solder to the joint, and it should melt and join the two pieces of metal together.
Most well water filters come with two ports: an inlet and an outlet. If you use copper pipes and don’t have push fittings, you will need to solder two pipes together and then screw the inlet and outlet ports onto these pipes.
While soldering is not difficult, it requires some practice and patience. If you have never soldered before, we recommend you ask a friend, family member, or a professional.
About Grounding
Grounding refers to creating a conductive path between your electrical system and the earth. This is done to protect your home from electrical surges and static electricity.
While some local codes require fitting a bonding wire, The National Electrical Code does not deem it necessary. If you are particularly interested or live in a locality that requires it, you may need to add proper grounding as a step in your whole house water filter installation. This involves an 8-foot-long copper rod and some wire.
The Cost of Installing a Whole House Water Filter for Well Water
The cost of installing a whole house water filter for well water varies. It depends on the size and type of filtration system you choose and whether you install it yourself or hire a professional.
A typical price range for whole house water filters is $500 to $2000. When factoring in contractor services, costs could go up by up to $500.
How Long Does It Take?
A whole house water filter installation by a professional usually takes 1.5 to 4 hours. It could take longer if you install it yourself and have limited plumbing knowledge. Consider this if you urgently need a whole house water filter installed.
How to Maintain a Well Water Filtration System
Regular maintenance is important for your well water filtration system, especially since it can be affected by many external factors like weather conditions. In addition, you should also have your well water regularly tested to ensure that it is still safe to drink.
Here are some tips on how to maintain your home’s well water filter:
- Read the manufacturer’s instructions carefully and follow them closely.
- Change the filters according to the manufacturer’s recommendations.
- Have your well water tested regularly.
- If you notice any changes in your water quality, contact a professional immediately.
Test Your Water Regularly
Regular water tests are a must, even if you have a whole house water filter system installed. This is because well water is more susceptible to contaminants than city water.
You can contact your local health department or a private company that specializes in water testing. Be sure to ask about any specific tests that should be done for wells.
While it is acceptable to have your well water tested yearly, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) also recommends immediate testing if:
- There is a noticeable change in your water quality
- There were recent repairs to your well
- There were recent weather occurrences like flooding or drought
- There were recent construction activities near your area
Flush Filters and Replace Filter Cartridges
Part of the maintenance routine is flushing your filters and replacing them when needed. Depending on the type of well water filter system, this may be as simple as opening a valve to release any debris that may have accumulated in the filters.
For cartridge-type filters, you will need to replace the cartridges from time to time. Cartridge filters typically last between 3 and 12 months, but it also depends on what type they are and how often water is used in your home.
Be sure to consult your manufacturer manual for the recommended replacement periods.
Further Reading:
How to Choose a Whole House Well Water Filter
There are several things to consider before picking a whole house well water filter that’s right for you. Here are the factors to help you make a decision:
- Contaminants. Have your water tested by a professional to determine what contaminants are in your well water. Once you know what’s in your water, you can choose a filter that is designed to remove those specific contaminants.
- Flow rate. The flow rate is how much water the filter can clean per minute and is typically measured in gallons per minute (gpm). A higher flow rate means the filter can clean more water per minute, which is important if you have a large home or family.
- Micron ratings. A micron rating refers to the size of the smallest particle a filter can remove. The smaller the micron rating is, the more contaminants the filter can remove from your water. Consider this when your water has high levels of a particular contaminant.
- Cost of replacement filters. Some whole house well water filters require special cartridges that can be expensive to replace. Make sure to factor in the cost of replacement filters when choosing a system for your home.
- Installation space. Whole house filters come in different sizes, so you’ll need to pick one that can fit in the space you have available for installation.
If you have any questions about how to install a well water filtration system please don’t hesitate to leave a comment below!
About the Author Alexandra Uta
