Whole-House Carbon Water Filters
Almost every water company in our area disinfects with chloramine, a mix of chlorine and ammonia. It keeps water safe on the way to your house, but it's also where the "pool water" taste and smell comes from. A whole-house carbon filter removes it at the main line, so every faucet and shower gets filtered water.
SureFix Plumbers Inc. · Licensed plumbing contractor, CSLB #1134329 · Licensed & insured
What's in your water? See which disinfectant your water company uses and what its latest report shows. Enter your ZIP code in our water checker.
What a carbon filter takes care of
- Chloramine and chlorine taste and smell
- The earthy, musty smell some Valley homes notice in summer, which LADWP traces to seasonal algae in the LA Aqueduct
- Chlorine smell in the shower
- Sand, rust and debris, with a sediment prefilter in front
What it doesn't do: a carbon filter doesn't soften water or remove dissolved minerals. For spots and scale you need a water softener. For the most thorough drinking water, add a reverse osmosis system.
Why chloramine needs the right filter
Chloramine is harder to remove than plain chlorine. It takes catalytic carbon and enough contact time with the water, so we size the carbon tank for your home's flow instead of using a small cartridge that water rushes through. That's the difference between a filter that keeps working and one that falls off quickly.
How we install it
On the main line where water enters the house, with a sediment prefilter first and a bypass valve so it can be serviced without shutting off the house. If you're adding a softener, the carbon filter goes ahead of it. We check your water pressure before and after.
Upkeep
The sediment prefilter cartridge gets changed regularly, and the carbon media gets replaced every few years depending on your water use. We'll tell you the schedule and cost before you choose, and we offer annual service plans.
Common questions
Is my tap water unsafe?
All the water providers in our area meet state and federal drinking water standards. A carbon filter is about taste, smell and comfort, and an extra layer of filtration on top of what your water company does.
Do I still need a filter at the kitchen sink?
A whole-house carbon filter handles taste and smell everywhere. If you also want to reduce dissolved minerals, sodium or other items listed in your water report, add a reverse osmosis system at the kitchen.
Will a whole-house filter lower my water pressure?
A properly sized system has very little effect on pressure. Undersized filters are what cause pressure drops, which is why we size it for your home.
Is a carbon filter the same as a water softener?
No. Carbon removes chloramine, chlorine and taste and smell. A softener removes the hardness minerals that cause spots and scale. Many homes have both.
How much does a whole-house filter cost?
It depends on your home and whether you add a softener or RO. Our water checker shows typical installed ranges for your area, and we confirm your price after a free water test.
Other water treatment options
Want filtered water at every tap?
Call or text us at 818-209-7900 and we'll recommend a system for your water and your home.
SureFix Plumbers Inc. · CSLB #1134329 · Licensed & insured · Based in Van Nuys
Serving the San Fernando Valley, Burbank, Glendale, the Hollywood Hills, Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, Calabasas and Santa Clarita. See service areas.