6 Types of Water Filters and How They Filter Your Tap Water

If your water has a strong smell or taste of chlorine or other chemicals, it’s time to install a home water filter. A home water filter improves the flavor and odor of your water, assists in removing harmful contaminants, and can help guard against scale buildup in your appliances.

We'll explore the top six types of water filters and how they improve your water quality. Each solution removes contaminants using either physical or chemical processes and has its own advantages and disadvantages. Discover the best solution for your home through these effective ways to filter tap water.

1. Activated Carbon Water Filter

An activated carbon filter is one of the most common types of home water filters. As you might guess from the name, these filters use activated carbon to absorb and trap contaminants. They can remove chlorine, sediment, unwanted organic compounds, and heavy metals — some of the factors affecting your water quality.

Activated carbon filters can greatly improve the taste and odor of your water. They are also easy to install and relatively inexpensive. However, they require regular replacement filters and are ineffective against all contaminants, such as bacteria and viruses.

Best for: homeowners who are concerned about their tap water's taste and odor and are seeking a relatively affordable solution

2. Ceramic Water Filter

Ceramic water filters use their fine pore structure to block contaminants from reaching your tap. Silver is generally added to the filters to prevent bacterial growth and add antimicrobial properties.

Ceramic filters can be cleaned and reused, providing a cost-effective, extended lifespan solution that’s more environmentally friendly. However, they tend to filter slowly and don’t protect against viruses or chemicals.

Best for: homeowners who are concerned about bacteria in their water or seeking an emergency water care solution

3. Mechanical Water Filter

Mechanical water filters use a physical barrier, such as a mesh or screen, to remove large particles from tap water. However, these filters do not remove chemicals, bacteria, or viruses from your water.

Mechanical filters generally cost less and require little maintenance. However, they must be cleaned or swapped out regularly to ensure proper function. Use a mechanical filter with another option, such as an activated carbon water filter, for maximum filtration, improving your water's taste and odor.

Best for: use as a pre-filter, removing large particles from tap water before it is filtered by another method — great for homes with well pumps.

4. Reverse Osmosis Water Filter

Reverse osmosis systems use a semi-permeable membrane to remove contaminants from tap water. These filters are adept at eliminating bacteria, minerals, and other impurities. By forcing water through the membrane under pressure, undesirable elements are filtered out.

It’s worth noting that this method of filtering creates wastewater, so these systems aren’t the most environmentally friendly choice. Despite their higher installation and maintenance costs, osmosis filter systems offer significant benefits. They are excellent at enhancing water taste and odor and can protect against certain bacteria.

Best for: homeowners seeking a comprehensive water filter system that thoroughly cleans incoming tap water

5. Ultraviolet Water Filter

Ultraviolet (UV) water filters use light to disinfect water. These systems can help eliminate bacteria, viruses, and other organisms with UV rays. However, because they utilize light, UV filters cannot filter out chemical contaminants or sediments.

UV water filters provide a chemical-free disinfection option. They’re also low maintenance due to the lack of a physical filter. Consider UV filters as a pre-filtration option to add extra protection against bacteria and viruses.

Best for: use in homes alongside a mechanical solution — together, the two options can help eliminate bacteria, viruses, and particle contaminants

6. Whole-House Water Filter

A whole-house water filter purifies water as it enters the home rather than at each sink or water output. Whole-house filters use one of the aforementioned methods, such as activated carbon, ceramic, mechanical, reverse osmosis, or ultraviolet filtering. Their use ensures every faucet and appliance in your home uses adequately filtered water.

Due to their more expansive water filtering design, whole-house filters can cost more to install than a single-point system. Owing to additional complexity, whole-house filters require skilled installation and ongoing maintenance from trained service professionals like those from Mr. Rooter Plumbing®.

Best for: use in homes where comprehensive filtration is needed and there are multiple water quality issues

How To Choose the Right Water Filter Type for Your Home

Choosing the correct water filter type for your home can feel daunting, but the team at Mr. Rooter Plumbing is here to make the process easier. We can conduct water tests to identify potential contaminants in your water supply and determine the best way to treat your water.

We also consider your needs, such as improving water taste and odor and managing your budget. After we’ve analyzed our data, we can help select the ideal filter type for your home and the appropriate mounting system. We keep the process painless and provide ongoing maintenance to increase the longevity of your system.

Benefits of Filtered Water

Filtered tap water can provide incredible benefits to your home, including:

• Improved health: Filter systems promote better health by removing contaminants from your water, including heavy metals, chemicals, microorganisms, and unwanted organic compounds.
• Better-tasting water: The resulting process improves the taste and odor of tap water, creating a more pleasant drinking experience.
• Benefiting your wallet: By opting for a home water filter, you can reduce environmental waste and save money by eliminating the need to purchase bottled water.
• Protect your appliances: Whole-house water filters can remove sediment before it runs through your home appliances, increasing the lifespan of dishwashers, washing machines, and water heaters.

Tip: Does your tap water smell fine but your kitchen sink has an odor? Discover how to clean a smelly drain and keep your home fresh.

Types of Water Filter Mounts

Water filter mounts integrate your water filter with your home water lines. From whole-house water filters that filter all water entering your home to dedicated faucet- and shower-mounted attachments, there are options for every situation.

• Countertop filters are placed on your countertop and attached to your faucet via a hose for easy installation. Keep in mind that they take up additional space on your counter and may not be aesthetically pleasing.
• Faucet-mounted filters attach directly to a faucet and allow easy switching between filtered and unfiltered water. However, they can reduce the flow rate and need to be frequently replaced.
• Shower filters remove contaminants by either mounting directly on your showerhead or replacing your existing showerhead. They may slightly reduce your water pressure.
• Under-counter filters are installed under your sink as an out-of-sight faucet filtration method that saves counter space. Be aware that they have a higher initial cost than other systems.
• Whole-house filters are installed at the entry point of your home's main water line, filtering all water in the house. They require more advanced installation than standard filters.

Let Mr. Rooter Plumbing Repair Your Water Filter System

Mr. Rooter Plumbing is here when you need an experienced service pro to replace or repair your home water filter. Our professionals are familiar with different types of water filters and can deliver trustworthy assistance nationwide.

Request an estimate to see how you can upgrade your tap water experience.

Water Filters FAQ

We've rounded up answers to the most frequently asked questions about home water filters. If your question isn't listed below, contact us for more information.

How do water filters work?

Water filters vary in how they clean your home's water supply. Some water filters utilize physical barriers, others use reverse osmosis semi-permeable membranes, and some use ultraviolet light. Water filters block or eliminate unwanted sediment, microorganisms, and chemicals through these processes, creating a healthier water supply for your home and family.

What is the best water purification system for a home?

A service professional will first perform a water test and determine what contaminants may be in your water. They can then recommend the best water purification system for your home.

For example, a ceramic filter is ideal for water supplies with high levels of bacteria and protozoa; meanwhile, an activated carbon filter may be an easier option for homes that merely have taste and odor concerns.

What is the best type of filter for drinking water?

The best type of filter for drinking water depends on the water source. Knowing what’s in your water is the first step to determining the most suitable filter. In most homes, where taste and odor are the primary concern, an easy-to-maintain active carbon filter is the best choice. Reach out to the team at Mr. Rooter Plumbing for next steps.

Which water filter removes the most contaminants?

Different types of water filters have varied capabilities and can remove various contaminants, but a reverse osmosis system is generally the most effective. Its semi-permeable membrane removes unwanted minerals, metals, chemicals, microorganisms, and other impurities. However, while effective, it produces water waste and can be more expensive to install and maintain.

Do all water filters use cartridges?

No, not all types of water filters use cartridges. While activated carbon, reverse osmosis, and many whole-house systems have filters that need to be replaced, the following options do not use cartridges:

• Ceramic filters
• Select mechanical filters
• Distillation systems
• Ion exchange systems

Homeowners who wish to forgo a filter cartridge should utilize a ceramic or mechanical filter. Distillation and ion exchange systems are not common choices.

How is a water filter different from a water softener?

A water filter is designed to remove contaminants from water, improving its taste and odor and making it safer to drink. A water softener reduces the hardness of your water, removing calcium and magnesium while reducing scale buildup in pipes and appliances.