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If you’ve decided to install a whole house water filter for your home, you’re probably already familiar with the many benefits it has to offer. However, if you also use a pressure tank in your house, you might wonder whether the filter should go before it or after.
A pressure tank or pump pressure tank helps increase the water pressure entering your home’s plumbing. It’s vital for areas where water pressure is annoyingly low, unstable, or for old homes with frequently choking pipes.
So, should you install your new whole house water filter before or after the pressure tank? Let’s find out!
There are arguments for both installing a whole house water filter before and after a pressure tank.
A filter for coarse sediment could be placed before the pressure tank. This would protect especially the pressure switch from damage.
Without knowing further details, all other types of whole house water filters are best to be placed after the pressure tank.
Personally, we lean towards installing any water filter after the pressure tank.
Whole House Water Filter Before or After Pressure Tank?
If you search the internet for this question, you’ll find a pretty divided crowd. Half the people opt for installing a whole house filter before the pressure tank, while the other half thinks it’s better afterward.
It’s important to understand that there are merits to both approaches. Plus, it also depends on the type of filter you’re planning to install.
Installing a whole house water filter, a sediment filter to be more precise, before the pressure tank would ensure only clean water goes into the tank. This would prevent dirt from entering, especially the pressure switch, ensuring a long life of the appliance.
On the other hand, some argue that when whole house water filtration systems get clogged, the water pressure would reduce too much and make your well pump run continuously causing damage, which could only be mitigated with a second cutout pressure switch.
Some people also argue that the pressure tank is nothing but a pipe that won’t be affected by sediment so much. Even if sediment collects, the water and dirt can be drained from the valve. Although depending on the installation, this may not be so easy.
In our opinion, it’s best to install a whole house water filter after the pressure tank. If you’re uncertain, make sure to consult a plumber!
Iron is typically a problem with well water, causing the water to turn reddish-brown. If you’re installing an iron filter, it’s best to install it after the pressure tank. This is because otherwise the iron filter may not be able to backwash adequately.
Also, there’s a risk of the water flowing back to the filter because of the pressure. This happens if an iron filter is installed before the pressure tank.
Since it requires varying pressure, installing it before the pump would not make sense either. The well pump will not turn on as the pressure switch is on the side of the pressure tank.
Sediment Filters
Sediment can settle at the bottom of a pressure tank, meddling with its performance over time. So from that perspective, it would make sense to place a sediment filter before the pressure tank. Sediment can also cause damage to a pressure switch.
However, as mentioned before, a clogged sediment filter installed between well pump and pressure tank can cause issues. So, you would have to make sure that your sediment filter is clean at all times. Tip: The higher the micron/mesh rating, the better.
When using several filters and pressure tanks, it’s best to use shut-off valves between every node. That way, you can stop a particular system whenever you need to.
Aside from that, sedment filters should be the first in line, preventing dirt from entering into any other water filtration or treatment equipment you have installed (like water softeners, water heaters, etc.).
If you have any questions about installing a water filter before or after the pressure tank please don’t hesitate to leave a comment below!
About the Author Gene Fitzgerald
Gene Fitzgerald is one of the founders of BOS and currently head of content creation. She has 8+ years of experience as a water treatment specialist under her belt making her our senior scientist. Outside of BOS, Gene loves reading books on philosophy & social issues, making music, and hiking.
Learn more about Gene and the rest of the BOS Team.
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Leave a Comment:
Sal Acosta says
April 21, 2023
I have a well and my pressure tank is in the pump house away from my dwelling. every video ive seen, the pressure tank is in the house. can i mount the filters inside the pump house after the tank then back into the main line running to my home?
