Water Softeners and Air Filtration Systems - Rust filters?

I just moved into a house and noticed that the water was a bit rusty/yellowish. The existing toilets & dishwasher are stained. I bought a whole house water filter at HD that attaches to the main line. The plastic filter housing came with a wound paper "sediment filter" insert. This wound paper insert really didn't change the water color at all (but the insert turned from white to brown within a day or two).

I replaced that paper insert with a more expensive carbon-type insert and bingo, clear water. Great right? Well, the clear water only lasted about a week. The carbon filter inserts are about $7 a piece and are "supposed" to last about 3 months. I can see that this will add up quickly by changing weekly. I could add a second filter on the main line, but I'm not sure that'll defray my costs much.?

Has anyone had experience with cost-effective rust filters? Do I just have to bite the bullet and pay $30 a month for filters? Can I get any help from the town (or is that just a waste of time)?

Here are some pertinent facts:
-my house is on town water
-the main line into my basement is copper (not sure what type of pipe is between the house and the street).
-my water usage isn't extreme (only 2 people in the house)

Suggestions appreciated, thanks.

There's some dissolved ferrous iron or insoluble ferris iron (rust) in your water and the particles are vey small. So small that is takes a micron rating like that of the carbon filter, 5 mic, to remove them. That uses up carbon very quickly and you really shouldn't remove chlorine on a 'whole house' basis anyway. If you go to a sediment cartridge with a 5 micron rating, they will plug up just as fast. So IMO the solution is to not worry about the invisible stuff in your water but... if your water is hard, go to a water softener.

Usually the water company can not do anything about sediment unless it is discoloring the water. And each year they backflush their lines to keep sediment in check as best they can.

Gary
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Company Name Removed Only
Doug Aleshire, Super Moderator 2

Gary,

Thanks for the response. Will a water softener change the color of my water? I'm not so much concerned about the "drinkability" of the water since we use bottled water....I'm more concerned about the potential for staining new toilets, new dishwasher, and new washing machine after we remodel. The existing toilets, for example, look dirty all the time (no matter how hard you scrub them).

I did some more research and it does appear that I have hard water. Here is a quote from my town's web site:

"The town has very hard water which means that it has a very high mineral content. These minerals, being very heavy, settle in the water mains. It is important to flush the mains so that the sediment does not build up to levels that could cause damage to the pipes.

Flushing is first and foremost used as a means of maintenance; it enables us to check the quality of the pipes, flush sediment buildup from the mains, exercise fire hydrants (making note of any in need of repair), and for bringing fresh water into the system's dead end. Sediment is not harmful to the normal individual. If you have any type of immune deficiency or your health is compromised in some way, you should check with your doctor regarding a high mineral content in your drinking water."


So, I guess a water softener will obviously "soften" the water.....but will it help with the sediment issue? What softeners are recommended?

Many thanks.

If the water is hard, get a softener and that will probably clear up your water. Get a water test kit and test your water and then search for "softener sizing chart" and read up on how to correctly size a softener for your house and family's need.

Gary
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Company Name Removed Only
Doug Aleshire, Super Moderator 2