A Few Simple Tips for Buying an Under Sink Water Filter
There are some advantages to having a water filter system installed under the kitchen sink; one is that these are usually more affordable than a larger filtration system hooked up to your home's plumbing, and you may even be able to install it yourself, saving the cost of having a contractor handle the job. Having a water filter under the sink also usually means stronger filters than you would get with a simple pitcher. Whatever your reasons for wanting a water filter system under the kitchen sink, note a few simple tips for choosing the best one for your home.
1. Measure the sink clearance
This may sound simplistic but many homeowners forget to actually measure the clearance they would have for a water filter under the sink; if your cabinets are very small, if the dishwasher is right next to the sink and cuts off the space, and if you have a large garbage disposal under the sink, you may not have much room for a filter. Check the dimensions of potential filters against the clearance space under the sink before you make any purchase.
2. Know your water
Not all filters for these systems are alike, and for a filter system to work, it should address the problems you have with your water in particular and remove the contaminants you're likely to find. In many areas, a city may be required to provide you with a report on the composition of their water supply, or you can send a water sample to a lab to be tested for particular contaminants.
You might also be able to simply tell the type of contaminant according to the smell or taste of water; it might have a metallic taste, so it may have more lead and copper than it should. Hard water that leaves stains and marks usually has a high mineral content. When you turn on the water and notice a bleach smell, this often means chlorine. Buy the right filtration system for these contaminants that you notice so your water will be as clean and fresh as possible.
3. Consider cartridge or filter lifespan and cost
You will usually need to replace the cartridges or filters of your water filtration system fairly often, but this will depend on the type of system you buy and how much water you use regularly. Check on these details and the cost of those replacement filters; if you realize that you would need a new filter every month with one system and that it's replacement filters are quite expensive, you'll need to consider this long-term cost before buying that system.