Illustration: Gregory Nemec
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Americans spend nearly $6 billion a year on bottled water, and the rest of the world chugs down another $29 billion worth of the stuff. Given this trend, we asked This Old House plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey to show us how to install an undersink water-filtration system.
Richard chose a dual-cartridge water filter for this kitchen. This model has both carbon-block and granular-carbon filters, as well as a dedicated faucet and an electronic monitor that signals when it's time to replace the filters (after 500 gallons have passed through them, or six months). Dual filters reduce most common chemicals and contaminants found in tap water—from a municipal source or ground well—including lead, mercury, asbestos, pesticides, and cysts. They'll also eliminate sediment, and bad taste and odors caused by the chlorine added to municipal water supplies.
The system shown here comes with all the necessary hardware and tubing to complete the installation. However, Richard upgraded the system by adding a new ball valve to the water-supply tubing that feeds the filters. This allows the homeowners to shut off the water to the unit to change the filter without cutting off the sink's main faucet.
Richard chose a dual-cartridge water filter for this kitchen. This model has both carbon-block and granular-carbon filters, as well as a dedicated faucet and an electronic monitor that signals when it's time to replace the filters (after 500 gallons have passed through them, or six months). Dual filters reduce most common chemicals and contaminants found in tap water—from a municipal source or ground well—including lead, mercury, asbestos, pesticides, and cysts. They'll also eliminate sediment, and bad taste and odors caused by the chlorine added to municipal water supplies.
The system shown here comes with all the necessary hardware and tubing to complete the installation. However, Richard upgraded the system by adding a new ball valve to the water-supply tubing that feeds the filters. This allows the homeowners to shut off the water to the unit to change the filter without cutting off the sink's main faucet.
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