Hard Water & Filtration
Whole-house water filtration
A whole-house filter treats all the water entering the home, usually with sediment and carbon stages that reduce chlorine, taste and odor at every tap and shower. It doesn't soften water. For scale, it's paired with a softener.
- Same-day service when a plumber is available
- Licensed local plumbers
- Quote before work
Many utilities blend surface water and groundwater, and the taste can change with the season and the source. Utilities that disinfect with chloramine produce water that ordinary carbon struggles with. A correctly chosen whole-house system smooths that out for showers, laundry and every faucet.
The system mounts at the main line, usually in the basement, garage or utility room where the line enters. It needs isolation valves and a bypass so the media can be serviced.
Whole-House Filtration at a glance
- Treats
- Every tap, shower and appliance
- Does not
- Remove hardness; pair it with a softener
- Location
- At the main line: basement, garage or utility room
Signs you need whole-house filtration
- Chlorine smell in the shower
- Seasonal changes in taste or odor
- Sediment in aerators
- Dry skin and hair complaints after showering
- An RO system that isn't enough
How the plumber handles it
- 1
Water review
The plumber reviews your city's water report and your goals: taste, chlorine, chloramine or sediment.
- 2
Sizing
The system is sized by flow rate so it won't drop pressure when two showers run.
- 3
Install
They cut into the main line with isolation and bypass valves, plus a sediment pre-filter where needed.
- 4
Service plan
You get the media or cartridge replacement interval and bypass instructions.
What affects the cost
Prices depend on what the plumber finds, so the plumber quotes on site. These are the main factors:
- Media type (carbon, catalytic carbon for chloramine)
- Flow rate and tank size
- Main-line access and location
- Combined softener/filter systems
Frequently asked questions
Is a whole-house filter the same as a softener?
No. A filter reduces chlorine, taste and sediment. A softener removes hardness minerals. Many homes in hard-water areas use both, with the filter first.
Will it lower my water pressure?
A correctly sized system shouldn't cause a noticeable drop. An undersized cartridge filter can.
Where to get whole-house filtration
By state: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming
Need whole-house filtration?
Same-day service when a plumber is available. One call connects you with a licensed plumber who serves your ZIP.