You need a fine water filter. Water filter: types, features, recommendations for selection. Installation and assembly: video

Coarse water filters for apartments (FGOV) retain relatively large insoluble elements, for example:

• rust components;
• scale from welding, sealants;
• sand.

Therefore, it is necessary to install FGOV in the apartment.

Their work is based on the mechanical retention of large particles. The devices differ in:

• parameters;
• form;
• throughput potential;
• highest operational period;
• cleaning blocks;
• manufacturing materials;
• purification method;
• type of filter component.

Types of federal state government

Let's take a closer look at the types:

1. Reticulate. This is one of the most common varieties. It has a long service life without replacement of the working component. In the grid, the cells have parameters of 50 – 400 microns. The device is made of stainless steel. Differences between mesh types are associated with the method of their entry into the pipeline, methods of regular cleaning and maintenance.
   These devices are divided into two further subcategories:
   1. With backwash. The deposited components are automatically removed.
   2. Without such washing. The device can only be cleaned by disassembling it.

   Devices that work with cold water have a transparent body. This way you can monitor the conditions of the grid.
   Devices operating with hot water are metal. After all, metal can withstand high temperatures.
   Many models also have other functions. For example, they can have a valve built into them to adjust the pressure. They can be combined with a pressure gauge. This is a safety measure for the internal space of the pipeline and household models against pressure surges.
   It is logical to install devices with automatic flushing where there is a drainage pipe and dirty water with impurities flows into it.

   Pros of mesh models:

   1. Simple and effective design.
   2. Acceptable price.
   3. Ease of installation, use and maintenance.
   4. No consumables needed.
   5. They work in domestic and industrial networks with any water (hot and cold).

   There are also disadvantages, but they are conditional:

   1. During standard maintenance, you have to turn off the water.
   2. Relatively weak cleaning performance.
2. The second type of FGOV. Flange and coupling. They differ in the method of connecting to the main line. If the pipe diameter is over two inches, it is better to use a flanged type. Bolted connections allow the device to be removed without dismantling other structural components. Pass-through models are placed on the pipes during system design.
   If the pipe has a smaller diameter, the coupling model is used. Typically these are residential and private networks. The device is directly screwed onto the pipe or connected to it using American ones.

All FGOV have similar installation criteria:

1. For tapping, scale, corrosion and other dirt are removed from pipes.
2. The water is shut off.
3. Any sealant is wound onto the threaded section of the device cover. The same treatment is carried out with the connecting section of the device and the pipe.
4. When installed, the filter component is directed towards the bottom.
5. The device is secured with a clamp. Mechanical wear is reduced there.
   All filters have pipes (one at the inlet, one at the outlet) and a settling tank that purifies the water. Depending on the position of the sump, the device can be straight or oblique.
6. Direct version at the entrance to the apartment. In it, the settling tank has a vertical position to the flow. Its dimensions are large. The quality of cleansing is better because of this. The speed of water flow decreases. Large particles sink to the bottom.
7. Oblique version. The position of the settling tank to the flow is at a slight angle. The device is installed when the pipe is located next to a wall or floor. Flange covers or coupling plugs are used to close settling tanks.
   Items 3 and 4 have different purification methods. Devices with and without this option are used.
8. Cartridge models. They are attached to the wall. They have a flask. It can be transparent or opaque. Inside it are replaceable cartridges. The materials for their manufacture are:
   • press-treated polypropylene fiber;
   • polyester;
   • twisted thread.

   They have different cleansing potential. But the rough cleaning parameter is 20-30 microns.
   The cartridges of these devices can be changed frequently. The devices themselves are usually placed where there are small debris components that are poorly captured by mesh models.
   The cartridge retains such particles. And the carbon-treated fiber cartridge can remove chlorine from water.
   Installation of these models occurs where weak flows are observed. In conditions of strong flows, a large device is used.

   For your information! The cartridges do not have auto-rinsing. They have to be changed.

9. Speed ​​models. They are needed when you need to remove various insoluble impurities. They contain special stainless steel containers.
   The filter component is located in the housing. There is a block in the upper zone of the device that automates the cleaning process. The water purification level is 30 microns.
   But such coarse filters also have disadvantages:
   • solid parameters;
   • placement in heated rooms;
   • An additional drainage pipeline is definitely needed for restoration.

Installation and maintenance

In this activity the following criteria must be adhered to:

1. It is better to place the device in front of the meter. Although in reality there is not enough space for this. For this reason, an oblique modification is performed. It protects the mechanism from clogging with suspended elements and protects the meter from damage.
2. The oblique model must be placed on a pipe with a horizontal position. The flask is placed at the bottom. This makes cleaning easier. It is important to know the direction of flow. Usually there is an arrow on the body of the device indicating this direction. The oblique device can also be mounted on a vertical pipe. Only the flow should follow from top to bottom. If such a device is mounted upward with a sump, then dirt will not penetrate the system, but the likelihood of device failure will increase. After all, this dirt will prevent the faucet from opening.
3. Direct model. It is installed only on the horizontal water supply area. There is some room left for removing the flask (if necessary).
4. The device with direct flushing is also complemented by an automatic flushing option. To do this, a water bypass loop and several taps are installed. They can convert the flow direction to counter flow.

If you use the filter several times, you will need to disassemble it to clean or replace the mesh or cartridge.
Before disassembling the device, you need to relieve the pressure in the network. To do this, the water supply stops.

Oblique models have plugs with convenient caps that have six sides. This is made specifically for a wrench. The paranite gasket is removed. A tow winder is installed. This makes the connections more airtight. And in the future, the functionality of the device improves.
The flask of straight filters with a vertical position can be removed with a wrench. The flask is put back with new gaskets.

You can remove dirt from an oblique model like this: the model is disassembled and the dirt is drained. The mesh is removed. Contaminants are removed. This area is dried with compressed air. The damaged mesh is replaced.
In the direct modification, the bulb is unscrewed. Sediment pours out of it. The mesh is washed. Drying. Or a new cartridge is installed.

It is easier to work with models with automatic flushing. The tap at the bottom of the flask opens periodically. The mesh and flask are cleaned. A pressurized water stream is used. Then the water flows into the drainage or into a substitute container.
For more convenient work, an automatic flushing device is installed on the water supply itself. Then the water follows the flow in the opposite direction. And cleaning the mesh is more efficient.

There are many FGOV models on the market today. Below are the TOP 5 most common devices.

Rating. TOP 5

Here is a good selection of filters for any type and budget.

Honeywell FF 06 1/2″ AA

• working with hot water
• delicate elimination of various foreign elements from water
• filtration component – ​​stainless steel mesh
• device weight – 1100 grams
• diameter – 1/2 inch

• water is purified better if the device is mounted with the bowl down
• The device does not allow harmful impurities to accumulate
• guarantees a stable supply of purified water and operation of household appliances connected to the water system
• price and quality are in optimal proportion
• durability
• compactness
• mesh is easy to replace
• high strength

• not found

• productivity – 2 cubic meters. m/h
• selectivity – 100 µm
• attachment DN – 15
• functional pressure under flushing conditions – 16 bar
• thread 1 - 1/2″
• thread 2 - 3/4″
• total height – 20.4 cm
• device type – prefilter
• purpose: work with cold water
• protection of pipelines and their fittings from breakdowns and corrosion

• the highest functional temperature of the cleaned medium reaches 40 °C
• removing hazardous impurities from water
• The device can work with a pressure gauge

• if there are large particles in the water, place a mud trap in front of the device

The kit includes:

1. Transparent plastic body.
2. Filter component.
3. Additional connections "American". Their appearance is 1/2. They have o-rings.
4. A fitting with a tap for draining water.

AquaHit 1/2″, art. FW.110.04

Tap water almost never meets the requirements for purity - impurities appear in it one way or another, as a result of which the taste, smell and even transparency change. It is clear that you should not drink water directly from the tap. You can solve the problem by installing a main filter for water purification in the apartment. This device is mounted directly into the pipeline and allows you to purify the entire volume of passing water.

Main filters for cold or hot water are used for the following needs:

1. Water purification. This is very important, because not everyone can live above a deep well, and drinking water comes to houses, most likely, from the nearest reservoir, river or lake. At the same time, city treatment stations often do not remove carcinogens and heavy metals from water, but only chlorinate, while a number of bacteria resistant to chlorine may remain in the liquid.
2. Improving the taste of water. Chlorine, rusty metal, hydrogen sulfide - water with completely unexpected tastes can flow from the tap. Naturally, it changes the quality of food. And purified water allows you to prepare truly delicious dishes.
3. Softening water to reduce its impact on skin and hair. After all, contaminated water spoils hair and skin, leads to the appearance of wrinkles, rashes, and destruction of the hair structure. And purified water will not allow all these manifestations to form.
4. Maintaining the functionality of equipment and plumbing fixtures. If you do not remove solid particles and dirt, then scale appears on boilers, dishwashers, washing machines, and electric kettles.

Different types of devices and how they work

Trunk filters for water purification for apartments and country houses are classified into:

The main filter for water purification most often works in conjunction with additional devices. Thus, a softener is installed along with a coarse filter, which allows you to normalize the chemical composition of the liquid and prevent the formation of scale in equipment. Reagent-free filters with permanent magnets can act as softeners, the action of which causes salts dissolved in water to precipitate without causing harm to plumbing and other appliances.

AND Only after the coarse cleaning system are fine cleaning devices installed- in this case they will be less susceptible to contamination and the cartridges will have to be changed less often.

Information about this is in a separate article on the site. You will also find a video example there.

Read about the room in another material. Describes how to troubleshoot basic problems.

You can also purchase grain loading equipment. It is a main filter for complex cleaning, allowing to eliminate both chemical and biological contaminants. Externally, it is a large cylinder, the productivity of which ranges from 16-400 liters per minute. Such main water filters for an apartment or a private house are at the same time water softeners and deep cleaning filters. The downside is their large size.

Rules for choosing a suitable filter model

So, in-line water filter - how to choose for cleaning? Keep in mind that in ordinary apartments, as a rule, two lines - with cold and hot water. If we are talking about individual heating systems, then they require devices for purifying cold water.

Important: The main hot water filter is made of materials that are resistant to prolonged exposure to high temperatures. It can also be used on cold water lines, but not vice versa.

To choose main filters for cold or hot water, you must consider:

The mesh filters used are multilayer and fixed in a metal pipe. With its help, water is purified from all large particles (sand or scale), the size of which exceeds 50 microns. It is better to choose a main water filter with flushing - it is able to catch more contaminants. When choosing a mesh filter, you must specify the pipe diameter, on which the fastening will be made, and in accordance with this value, purchase the device.

As for cartridge devices, a mainline mechanical water purification filter is a structure consisting of a flask, a lid and a replaceable cartridge. They are able to catch any small particles - accordingly, the finer the degree of filtration, the more transparent and tastier the output water will be.

The cartridge for main filters for water purification should be regularly change and purchase depending on needs:

1. BA - to normalize the amount of iron.
2. BS - for water softening.
3. With activated carbon - for cleaning from chlorine.
4. With polyphosphate loading - eliminates lime deposits and protects devices from scale.

The main filter is installed directly into the water main. It is also advisable to install shut-off ball valves and a bypass in the area where water is supplied and drained from the filtering device. The installation location of the cartridge filter must be freely accessible, since the cartridges will have to be replaced regularly. We eliminate the most common faults.

Brief overview of filter manufacturers

Among the popular companies producing high-quality main filters, it is worth noting Honeywell and Aquaphor, New Water and Geyser.

Thus, the Aquaphor company produces a wide range of cartridge main filters - for drinking water, for household appliances (for washing machines or dishwashers), for showers. You can select devices designed for use with cold and hot water, eliminating chemical compounds or only insoluble impurities such as sand or rust.

The German brand Honeywell offers devices of unique quality, designed for ten times the operating pressure in the network. Here you can choose elements for coarse or fine cleaning, and the filter element is a metal mesh enclosed in a highly reliable flask.

Novaya Voda's products are characterized by availability and high quality. The range includes main filters with a separate tap, and the degree of cleaning can be adjusted by installing certain cartridges.

And Geyser filters are high-tech scientific developments, thanks to which filter elements based on ion-exchange polymer were created.

The water we use in everyday life must be purified. In this case, the source of water intake is not so important. This could be water from a well that you drilled on your property, or from a water supply system with a centralized water supply.

It necessarily contains various impurities: rust, scale, grains of sand, silt or other substances, the presence of which can have a negative impact on our health and on the operation of plumbing equipment and appliances. To prevent these negative consequences, you need a water purification filter for plumbing. In this article you will learn what filters are and how exactly they work.

A healthy person, in ideal conditions, when he is neither hot nor cold, can live without water for no more than 5 days. Humans need fluids because our bodies are 70% water.

It is not surprising that we place high demands on the quality of the liquid we consume.

It's not just people who contribute to water pollution. This can also happen naturally: dirt gets into water streams even in the event of prolonged rains, for example

Meanwhile, environmental threats are getting worse, as we know well. Gas and smoke levels in the atmosphere are increasing year by year. Finding organic food and quality water is becoming increasingly difficult.

Even the water that is centrally purified and comes to us from the water supply cannot be considered truly clean.

Its contamination is facilitated by the inherent properties of the liquid itself: it perfectly dissolves some harmful chemicals. During the cleaning process, only the most toxic contaminants are removed from it. The chlorine or fluorine used in this process are themselves toxic elements that negatively affect human health.

The water that comes to us through the water supply system may not meet drinking status due to old, outdated water mains.

Specialists involved in centralized water treatment are responsible for its quality until it leaves the water distribution station. But it will not reach the end consumer soon.

And no one controls the sections of water mains through which it will pass from the inside. At the same time, the age of water pipelines suggests that it is in them that the greatest contamination can occur.

The negative impact of untreated water on the human body is obvious:

• increased hardness promotes salt deposition;
• excess manganese has a negative effect on the skeletal system;
• the presence of excess iron threatens liver disease, reproductive failure and the development of a heart attack;
• other negative consequences also arise.

But dirty water harms not only our body, but also our wallet. Expensive plumbing equipment and appliances can break because they are not designed to withstand extreme loads.

The most obvious damage may be the following:

• lime deposits clog the holes of the nozzles and shower head;
• Under the influence of high temperatures, magnesium and calcium salts form scale, which causes water heating devices to quickly fail.

Modern special plumbing fixtures are designed in such a way that the water that enters it must be pre-treated. And people who care about their own health prefer to drink either already purified bottled water or use special household filters in order to protect the tap water.

Poor quality water can not only negatively affect the health of any person, but also damage plumbing equipment and appliances

To purify water from substances and elements harmful to humans and plumbing, water filters are used. With their help you can get rid of heavy metals, particles that do not dissolve, impurities, bacteria, viruses, chlorine, etc.

Water filters are classified according to a variety of criteria. For example, you can divide them by scope. After all, they are necessary and in demand in a variety of places and for various purposes: for private homes, for domestic use, for aquariums, for industrial needs and as camping equipment.

Filters for water purification are used everywhere: they are needed in industrial facilities, in everyday life, and even for purifying water in aquariums

According to the cleaning method used in the device, the following filters are distinguished: mechanical, electrical, physico-chemical, biological, ion exchange and reverse osmosis.

According to the degree of purification of water from harmful impurities, filters are divided into fine and coarse purification products.

Coarse filters

Coarse water filters to protect plumbing provide a minimum level of purification, which is called coarse. They are able to filter out only large impurities: sand, rust, scale, etc. Their device is based on the same principle of mechanical cleaning, so they are all similar.

Most often, they are installed at the very beginning of the distribution, where water is distributed in the directions of its final consumption: to the kitchen, to the toilet and to the bathroom. There is a filter element inside the device: usually a metal mesh located in the direction of water movement.

In this coarse filter, the filter element is a mesh made of stainless steel: it is capable of trapping pieces of rust, scale, silt, sand, etc.

A mandatory part of it is a settling tank, which is needed to accumulate filtered particles. It needs cleaning periodically. At least three to four times a year, the water is turned off and the sump is cleaned.

However, various coarse cleaning devices also have distinctive features. They differ in the methods of cleaning settling tanks, the method of installation in the pipeline, the shape of the settling tank and the type of filter element.

By type of filter element

A mesh filter can be considered the simplest device designed for rough cleaning. It uses a stainless steel mesh with a mesh size in the range of 50-400 microns. It is attached using a threaded connection so that the inspection cover is at the bottom. The undoubted advantage of these devices is their durability.

A replaceable cartridge is placed in this flask. The bulb cannot simply be screwed onto the pipe; it must be fixed to the wall

The bulb of the cartridge device is attached to the wall. It contains a cartridge inside. Its filtering capacity depends on the material from which the cartridge is made. These can be pressed fibers, twisted polypropylene thread or polyester. To perform rough cleaning, you need a cartridge of 20-30 microns.

After the cartridge has served its intended period, it cannot be washed and reinserted into the flask. It just needs to be replaced with a new one. The only way to increase its service life is to additionally install a mesh filter in front of the cartridge filter.

According to the shape of the sump

Strain filters are simple in design: they have inlet and outlet pipes and a settling tank that needs to be cleaned periodically. If the pipe on which the filter is attached is located vertically or too close to the floor, you need to choose oblique devices in which the sump is made at an angle to the watercourse.

In all other cases, choose straight models with a sump, which is located perpendicular to the watercourse. Straight filters are more massive than oblique filters. When choosing this device, you need to make sure that there is enough space under the pipe not only to secure it, but also for further work with its sump.

These two coarse filters differ from each other only in shape: the left filter is straight, and the right one is oblique

It is believed that a direct filter does its job more efficiently because its settling tank has a larger volume. It is sealed using a flange cap or threaded plug.

According to the method of installation in the pipeline

The filter can be inserted into the water supply in different ways. Depending on the installation method, there are threaded (coupling) and flanged devices.

• Flanged. Using a stud or bolted flange connection, filters are mounted on junctions located in the basements of multi-storey buildings, or on main water pipelines. Such devices are easy to remove if necessary. Other elements of the water pipeline are not involved.
• Threaded. Such filters are installed on pipes with a diameter of up to 2 inches. They can be screwed on or connected to pipes using American quick-release nuts.

According to the method of cleaning the sump

All oblique models and those straight ones that have removable sump covers are considered non-flushing and are called mud tanks. To rid the sump sump of accumulated dirt, you need to disassemble the device and clean it.

Some straight filters have an outlet valve and a flushing system. When the tap is open, the resulting sediment is drained into the sewer system, and cleaning is carried out by direct or reverse flow of water.

What else you need to know about rough cleaning

The coarse filter is sold ready for use. The only thing you need to do before installing it is to clean the new plumbing from rust and scale. Sometimes the filter may receive additional load from the pipeline in the event of its skew, vibration and other similar influences. This should be avoided by providing compensation or support elements.

The filter is installed so that it is turned downwards with the inspection cover. If water flows from bottom to top, the device should be installed on a horizontal part of the pipeline. It is necessary to ensure the reliability of threaded connections to prevent leaks.

When it is impossible or impractical to install filters directly on the water supply, you can purchase this elegant nozzle that attaches directly to the tap

In modern new buildings, filters are installed simultaneously with the water supply, but in other buildings they are also easy to install, since they are sold in any plumbing store. If installing the device on a pipe is impossible for some reason, you can buy a nozzle model that fits onto the faucet and is also capable of coping well with rough cleaning.

We invite you to get more information by watching the video:

Fine filters

It is impossible to make water absolutely pure with the help of rough cleaning. Fine filters for tap water are needed to protect plumbing equipment and our health.

The following are used as filter materials in such devices:

• ion exchange resins;
• reverse osmosis membranes;
• sorption materials.

Replacement of working elements in any of these models occurs quite often: their service life depends on the volume of purified water or on the duration of operation.

A fine filter turns any water into drinking water, but its very presence is almost invisible: it is hidden from view in the space under the sink

Degrees of water purification

Depending on the depth of water purification, filters may consist of several stages of protection. Each stage provides a specific type of protection. For example, in a three-stage filter, the first stage performs mechanical cleaning, the second - chemical, and the third stage is responsible for conditioning the water, improving its smell, color and organoleptic properties.

For more information about the three-stage filter and additional cleaning in filters with a large number of stages, see the video.

Cleansing at the molecular level

Only one percent of impurities may be present in water that has passed through a reverse osmosis filter. After all, the pore size in its thin-film membrane is only 0.0001 microns. Only a water molecule can overcome such a hole.

Perhaps someone will think the price that they have to pay for this luxurious five-stage filter is too high, but health is generally priceless

As a rule, cleaning systems that include such protective barriers consist of five stages of protection:

• 1st stage– mechanical purification of water from coarse impurities is carried out using a cartridge (15-30 microns);
• 2nd stage– gases, chlorine and its compounds are removed using activated carbon;
• 3rd stage– compressed activated carbon retains the smallest mechanical impurities;
• 4th stage– purification is carried out using reverse osmosis;
• 5th stage– a carbon post-filter is used.

The only disadvantage of reverse osmosis is that the water loses not only the harmful substances it contained, but also the useful ones. Therefore, mineralizers are usually used with such a filter.

Application of Woven Filter

A woven type filter looks like a cylinder with a rope wound around it. It is capable of purifying water from salts, metal oxides and some chemicals that are added, for example, to hot water to maintain its high temperature.

The condition of this filter must be monitored. If its color has changed, it should be changed or cleaned. You can clean it by boiling: if the original color has returned, you can continue using it.

Secrets of the mineral filter

If the filter element is a mesh-shaped cylinder with mineralized crumbs inside, then this is a mineral filter. It perfectly protects against chemical additives and salts. But when salt appears on its own surface, it should be replaced.

A mineral filter will purify the water from salts and various chemical additives that can seriously harm us, but you also need to remember to change it in time.

The adhesive filter has proven itself well. Its active component reacts with fractions dissolved in water, neutralizing them. As a result, the drum gradually changes its color. Over time, the drum needs to be replaced.

What happens if you don’t make a timely replacement? Water contaminants accumulated in the filter will be released back into the water. The function of the device will change: instead of purifying water from impurities, it will saturate it with them.

Which device do you need?

The choice of a specific filter to install in your apartment or country house depends on the tasks that must be solved with its appearance. Most likely, there is no need to turn all the water into drinking water. It would be too expensive and impractical.

The final goal will be achieved if your child can drink unboiled tap water even at the dacha, and you will be sure that he will not get sick

Water that is used for heating and some similar purposes only needs rough cleaning. But in the kitchen it is better to use a multi-stage filter, with the help of which you will obtain high-quality water that you can drink without boiling.

The quality of water both in a private house and in a city apartment leaves much to be desired. To clean it, experts recommend using several stages of cleaning. The first stage of this procedure is carried out by installing coarse filters, the task of which is to retain mechanical elements, silt, sand, and rust particles that have entered the water.

Peculiarities

Coarse filters are designed to retain large particles (hard and soft), thereby providing primary water purification. When used in individual water supply systems, such devices mainly retain silt, sand, and clay coming from wells or wells. With a centralized water supply, such contaminants do not enter the water, but when water is transported through outdated pipes, rust particles end up in it. At the same time, the chemical composition of the water remains unchanged.

Coarse filters are also installed before installing meters, washing machines and dishwashers, which reduces the risk of breakdowns due to low water quality and thereby extends the life of the equipment.

Thus, among the main functions of coarse filters are the following:

• eliminating pollutants that could make water consumption hazardous to health;
• protection of the plumbing system (pipes, gaskets, connections and bends) from abrasive wear;
• preventing pipe clogging;
• protection of household appliances and water meters from damage and wear caused by exposure to polluting particles;
• elimination of foreign tastes and odors of water caused by the ingress of foreign particles into it.

Such devices may have different designs, dimensions, and degrees of water purification, but they all work on the same principle - they create a barrier to the passage of polluting particles and allow water to pass through.

Kinds

Depending on the features of the device, the coarse water filter can have one of several types.

Reticulate

The most affordable and simple, but nevertheless effective devices. Installation points - main cold and hot water supply in city apartments, point to the heating unit in private properties. In addition, there are filter meshes that are attached directly to the tap. They are an excellent option for a summer residence because they are easy to install, and at the end of the season they can simply be removed and reinstalled on a tap in a city apartment.

The mesh filter can have different diameters of transmission holes - from 20 to 500 microns. The cleaning ability is due to the small size of the mesh cells. In addition, there are devices that are cleaned manually (mud collectors), as well as analogues that have a self-cleaning function and a system for draining contaminated water.

The mud trap can be straight or oblique. The first is mounted on horizontal sections of the pipe, the mud trap is directed downwards. The oblique filter is suitable for installation on both horizontally and vertically directed pipes. Depending on the type of installation, strainers are either coupling or flanged.

Modern products are equipped with pressure regulators, thanks to which it is possible to maintain constant water pressure. A useful “addition” is a double pressure gauge installed before and after the mud tank. If there is an excessive difference between the readings of the devices, it is necessary to clean the filter.

The advantage of mesh devices is their low cost and durability, strength, ease of installation, and the ability to install on hot and cold water. This makes it possible to combine them with meters and install them in front of each household appliance connected to the water supply system. However, such models only retain large particles, and if we are talking about a mud collector without a self-cleaning system, then it is necessary to clean it quite often.

Disk

The disc filter has special discs made of high-strength plastic, which are characterized by the presence of grooves of a certain depth. The principle of operation is based on the ability of the discs to compress, thereby forming a cylinder with grooves. The latter retain heavy suspended matter and allow water to pass through. The cleaning fineness is 5-250 microns. For convenience, many manufacturers paint discs in different colors depending on the size of the cells.

Due to their high strength, increased productivity and resistance to high and low temperatures, they are widely used in industrial environments.

Cartridge

They are an element of a multi-stage cleaning system, which is usually mounted autonomously or under the sink. They provide a higher degree of purification compared to mesh models, since they retain particles 0.5-30 microns in size. They are suitable for retaining small debris. Devices are installed under the sink provided that the water flow is not intense. For stronger flows, autonomous analogues of higher power are required.

The principle of their operation is based on the retention of contaminants during the passage of cleaning compounds(granules), between which a small gap remains. And clay, silt and other similar impurities tend to settle on surfaces when the pressure of the water flow decreases, which is what happens when the liquid passes through the filter layer.

They are a housing filled with filter material. The body can be steel or plastic. The former can withstand high temperatures, are more durable and durable, but have a higher cost. Usually they are installed on the hot water supply line, and for cold water pipes they choose more affordable plastic options.

However, most modern models of plastic cartridges are characterized by versatility and are suitable for purifying both cold and hot water. The advantage of such a housing is its transparency, thanks to which you can control the degree of contamination.

Polyester acts as a filter base(sometimes a filter non-woven material) or a mesh insert. The latter is usually removed from the device; it can be washed and returned to its place. Polyester analogues, as a rule, need to be replaced. The exact information about the possibility of washing or the need for replacement is usually indicated by the filter manufacturer.

Pressure

They are equipped with a pressure regulator, since in such filters water is supplied and purified under pressure. This becomes the reason for their bulkiness, however, it is the pressure devices that cope with the retention of different fractions of contaminants, which gives a high degree of purification.

Depending on the pipe diameter and performance, household and industrial devices are distinguished, having the same principle of operation. The differences relate only to dimensions. The sizes of filter cells also vary, this, in turn, affects the degree of water purification.

Accessories

The filter device is quite simple. It is a mesh enclosed in a housing. The latter has an inlet and outlet pipe. Below the pipes there is a so-called settling tank - the place where filtration takes place. In this area, the speed of water movement decreases, so large particles (sand, rust, silt) settle in the body. The rest of the water tends to the grid, where it is also purified.

The material for making the mesh is usually steel, sometimes brass or bronze. In any case, it is a metal that can withstand contact with water, mechanical damage, and pressure well.

The filter housing (flask) is made of metal or plastic, and there are also combined models. Products made of steel, or having a steel box, are suitable for hot water supply pipes, plastic ones are used for treating cold water.

Polypropylene is most often used as the filtering components of a cartridge device. It provides high-quality filtration, is characterized by chemical inertness and resistance to biological factors.

Polypropylene is wound from the cord, so that large suspensions remain on the outside of the cartridge, and smaller ones settle on the twisted surface of the cord. They last for quite a long time and even when filled, such a cartridge does not cause a decrease in water pressure in the pipes.

Polypropylene cartridges can withstand temperatures ranging from 1-52C and are suitable for purifying cold and warm water. Filtration of hot liquid is carried out using devices that have a cartridge made of fibers impregnated with a special substance based on cotton material. The impact temperature on the system can reach 93C.

Filter fibers can have additional carbon coating, due to which they acquire the ability to purify water from chlorine. Although this is usually the task of fine cleaning cartridges, which are installed after the type of device in question.

Well-known manufacturers and reviews

Today there are a large number of primary water purification filters on the market. The most famous, approved by customers, are the products of several brands.

• Honeywell. Compact devices that have several design options depending on the operating conditions. For cold water mains, devices made of transparent plastic are usually chosen; for hot water pipes, similar models are purchased that have a protective box made of brass. The advantage of devices from this manufacturer is that there is no need to dismantle the entire system for repairs or cleaning. The system is cleaned automatically. The collection of this brand mainly includes systems for industrial filtration, however, household filters are also available.
• Valtec. The products are made of steel and brass, which ensures their wear resistance, increased strength, and durability. They are equipped with a self-cleaning system and are capable of retaining particles no more than 100 microns. They have pressure gauges that simplify the process of managing the system, as well as indicators for monitoring the degree of filter contamination. They can be installed on pipes with hot water, as they can withstand temperatures up to 115-150C.

• "Sapphire-P". Compact models (lower in height than many analogues), represented by filters for cold and hot water with manual and automatic control. They have the function of self-cleaning and regeneration through reverse current. In automatic models, you can set the period or amount of purified water, after which the self-cleaning process starts. They have a special controller that starts automatic cleaning after a specified period or after processing a certain volume of water. The required period or volume indicators are set through pre-programming by the user. The devices retain particles up to 100 microns in size and are suitable for household and industrial use.
• "Soyuzintellect". Filters of universal action, providing not only mechanical, but also sorption and antibacterial cleaning. In addition, in such filters the water is saturated with oxygen. This, in turn, makes it possible to reduce water consumption (the amount of liquid decreases, but does not in any way affect the user’s sensations), improves its quality (the water becomes more voluminous, foams, and soap or detergent lathers better in such water).

The developed line is suitable even for pipes with high water pressure and can be installed on hot water mains; the devices are resistant to corrosion.

• "Geyser". The Typhoon line has gained the most popularity. Available in a metal filter, suitable for hot and cold water. The equipment serves not only to retain impurities, but also to soften water with a high iron content. Models for very hard water are also available. Three-stage purification systems are becoming increasingly popular, in which the first stage of purification is carried out by coarse water treatment systems.
• "Barrier". The products are easy to use and affordable. For a long time, the company's specialization was the production of cassette filters for jugs, but today the main activity is the production of stationary filters. They are cartridge-type filters, the use of which, as users note, changes the taste characteristics of water for the better and eliminates unpleasant odors.

• "Aquaphor". The company has been producing various water purification systems for a long time (about 15 years), and therefore its range includes a large number of manual and automatic coarse filters. Buyers are particularly trusted by “under-sink” systems, which can be installed on hot and cold water supply pipes.

The disadvantage of these models is the labor-intensive installation, however, if you purchase the product from official representatives, the installation will be performed by professionals for free.

How to choose and install?

Important selection criteria are the size of the retained contaminants and productivity. The performance of the filter is determined by the volume of water being purified and the required amount for a particular user. At the same time, high productivity should not cause a decrease in water pressure in the tap.

When using low-capacity filters, you can mount a storage tank, where purified water will flow while the tap is closed. After the tap opens, the purified water accumulated in the container is consumed.

The size of the cells or mesh should be selected based on the quality of the water, the nature and size of the impurities. If the size of the filter elements exceeds the size of the polluting particles, the filter will have no effect.

When using fine-fraction systems to purify heavily contaminated water with large particles, the filter will have to be frequently removed and cleaned, and its elements replaced. Intensive use under such conditions increases the risk of premature filter failure.

A preliminary laboratory analysis of the water will help you make sure you don’t make a mistake in choosing a filter. Based on the results of assessing the water quality, experts will recommend the optimal type of filter. In some cases, it is beneficial to use 2 mesh filters installed in series with larger and then smaller cells. This will reduce the frequency of cleaning and extend the life of the device.

A gearbox will also be a useful addition to the filter. It reduces the water pressure at the entrance to the filter, and also dampens water hammer in the system, which provides better cleaning and allows you to extend the life of the device.

Due to their structural features, direct filters demonstrate greater efficiency compared to oblique filters. It is better to choose the latter only if it is impossible to install a straight model (this usually happens when there is a lack of free space, for example, when the pipeline is close to the floor or another pipe).

For a country house, it is recommended to install 2-3 mesh filters of different cell sizes. As a rule, coarse-grained protection is installed in a private house, while for a city apartment it is better to choose a more dense mesh.

It is recommended to install additional filters in front of the washing machine and dishwasher. Ideally, they are needed in front of every household or engineering device, but this is expensive. But it’s still worth installing a filter in front of the washing machine and dishwasher; this is a rather demanding equipment in terms of water quality. Moreover, the more expensive, the more capricious.

When purchasing a filter, you should pay attention to the materials - they should not only be durable, but also environmentally friendly. All connecting and threaded elements must be securely fixed, rubber gaskets and seals must fit tightly to the structure.

It is important to understand how necessary certain functions are, since their presence increases the cost of the product. For example, devices that soften water with excess iron are very popular. However, it will be useless if there are none. Moreover, the water may contain excessive amounts of manganese and potassium ions that need to be reduced. The type of product in question in this case will also not cope with the task.

The way out of the situation, as already mentioned, is a preliminary laboratory study of the quality and composition of water.

Only based on the analysis data obtained should you purchase a filter.

There is an opinion that it is better to give preference to equipment from a Russian manufacturer, since it is best adapted to the composition of the water in the surrounding areas. Leading positions are occupied by companies such as Aquaphor, Geyser, and Barrier. Among foreign filters, German and Scottish brands enjoy the trust of buyers.

The method of installing the meter is usually determined by its type. Professionals advise using detachable connections for all types of devices - both for those who need to be removed and washed, as well as stationary, bulk ones. This will simplify the process of dismantling the device if necessary to repair it. Proper installation of main filters with your own hands begins with cleaning the surface of the pipe, removing traces of rust, and checking its tightness.

To reduce the load on the pipes after installing the filter, it is recommended to additionally fix it to the wall using a clamp.

The installation location of the filter is the point of the main line from the entrance of the water supply system to the apartment (house) to subsequent distribution to water consumption points. If there are counters, then the filter is placed in front of them.

If the meter is sealed, the filter installed in front of it will also have to be sealed. to prevent “cheating” of the latter’s readings. In this case, it is more convenient to purchase special filters, the plug of which has an eyelet for threading the seal wire.

When installing, be sure to seal the joints to avoid leaks. It’s good if valves are installed - then the owner will be able to shut off the water supply during cleaning or repairs, and carry out a test supply. When installing stationary models, it is recommended to supplement them with bypass lines to ensure water supply in case of an emergency.

It must be taken into account that installing a filter in most cases leads to an increase in the total length of communications.

According to user reviews, mesh filters are the easiest to install. Their coupling varieties cut into the water supply system (with a pipe diameter of 1 inch, but not more than a diameter of 2 inches), flanged ones are installed on a flange. Flanged filters can be mounted on pipelines with a diameter of 2, 3, 4 or more inches. The cartridge filter is installed quite simply according to the included instructions.

A feature of the self-cleaning device is the need to connect the drainage pipe to the sewer system.

The installation of the filling flask will be more difficult, since its cleaning involves the implementation of the principle of backwashing. In this regard, the piping of such a system requires turning off the direct flow and supplying water through a bypass line for the period while the filter is being washed. At the same time, it is necessary to provide a system for return water supply and removal of dirty liquid.

The effectiveness of the filter can only be maintained if it is cleaned or replaced in a timely manner. Cleaning strainers without a self-cleaning system involves removing the strainer and rinsing it under water. Before unscrewing the mud trap, you should turn off the water to the filter.

After the mesh is cleaned, provided there is no damage to it, the system is reassembled in the reverse order.

In this case, you should pay attention to the condition of the rubber gaskets; if water leaks at the joints, the gaskets must be replaced with new ones.

If the filter has a washing system, it is cleaned as follows. First of all, it is necessary to close the water supply to the home, opening the water supply in the opposite direction to the filter. Open the valve or plug on the mud trap and rinse the mesh under the incoming water pressure. A bucket should be placed down. Usually 5 minutes is enough for washing.

It is necessary to change the filter in case of irreparable defects and damage - broken mesh, damaged housing, broken fastening thread. Cartridge devices do not require cleaning; when the maximum level of filter contamination is reached, the cartridge must be replaced.

Any water that enters the house independently from a well or centrally from a water supply system contains mechanical impurities. Untreated water may contain grains of sand, particles of scale and rust, fragments of limescale that have peeled off from the inner walls of pipes, winding elements used to seal pipe connections, as well as other foreign substances. Water of this quality harms not only people’s health, but also household appliances, shortening their service life, as well as metering devices installed by residents to save money when paying for housing and communal services.

By installing a coarse water filter in hot or cold water supply systems, you can significantly reduce the amount of abrasive particles and insoluble suspensions. Further, depending on the purpose of use of each specific water point, it is recommended to install additional fine filtering devices that can eliminate odors, organic compounds, chemical elements, heavy metal compounds and even some microorganisms. Testing carried out in laboratory conditions will help you choose a specific filter model.

Design and types of coarse filters

All filters that provide mechanical water purification have a similar design. Inside the body along the flow of water there is a metal mesh or other filter element (disks that cut off large fractions of sand, rust, etc.). A mandatory structural element of such filters is an outlet in which the contaminants retained by the mesh settle. If the sump tank becomes clogged, the water supply is shut off, and the outlet is cleaned and washed. The frequency of this procedure depends on the concentration of mechanical suspensions in the water. It is recommended to carry out preventive cleaning of the mud trap at least four times a year.

Different models of mechanical water purification filters are based on a single operating principle. However, this does not prevent them from differing from each other in a number of ways, such as: filter element, shape, method of insertion into the water supply network and method of cleaning from dirt settled in the sump.

Mesh and cartridge filters

The mesh mud filter has a metal mesh made of stainless steel as a filter element. The size of the mesh cells varies between 50-400 microns. The filter is installed so that the inspection cover is located at the bottom. Fastening the filter to the piping system is carried out with the usual tools available to every plumber. When making threaded connections, you should ensure their absolute tightness, preventing water leaks.

The coarse mesh filter with an oblique outlet is equipped with a screw-in cap, which is necessary for cleaning the mesh from contaminants.

Mesh filters are very popular among consumers due to their long service life, during which there is no need to replace filter elements. This is their undeniable advantage, which cartridge (cartridge) filters that purify water from mechanical impurities do not have.

Models with replaceable cartridges are mounted to the wall, as their design includes an impressively sized bulb. The walls of the flask can be either transparent or opaque. A replaceable cartridge made of polyester, twisted polypropylene thread or pressed fiber is placed inside the flask. Cartridges have different filtering abilities. To carry out rough mechanical water purification, cartridges of 20-30 microns are selected. Once the filter element is clogged, it is replaced with a new cartridge.

Important! Washing a used cartridge and reusing it in a filter is prohibited!

Cartridge-type models are usually installed in conjunction with mesh products, thereby providing better mechanical filtration of the water flow. In this case, mesh filters are installed in front of the flask devices. In this case, the service life of the cartridges increases.

Straight and oblique strainer

All types of mechanical cleaning filters have two pipes (inlet and outlet), as well as a settling tank in which the water flow is directly filtered. Based on the location of this settling tank, mesh filters are usually divided into two subtypes: oblique and straight. In the first group, the sump is located at an angle relative to the water flow. Oblique filters are used on pipes located close to the floor, as well as on vertical sections of the pipeline.

In the second group, the sump is directed strictly downward, perpendicular to the water flow. Direct filters are large in size, so there must be enough free space under the pipe for their installation. Due to the larger volume of the settling tank, vertical filters purify water better. The sump is closed using a screw plug or flange cover.

Strainers with a vertical settling tank are installed on horizontally located pipes, under which there is free space for preventive maintenance.

Flange and sleeve strainers

Based on the method of inserting the filter device into the water pipe, flange and coupling filters are distinguished. The first type of product (flange) is mounted on pipes with a diameter of two or more inches. These are the dimensions of main water pipelines, as well as junctions made in the basements of multi-storey residential buildings. Thanks to the bolted or studded connection of the flanges, the filter can be easily removed if necessary, without the need to dismantle other elements of the plumbing system. The installation locations of flange-type models on pipes are determined during the development of design documentation for the water supply system.

Important! On pipes with a diameter of up to two inches, threaded filters are installed, which are screwed onto them or connected to them with quick-release union nuts, called “Americans”.

Dirt traps and strainers with flushing system

Mesh filters are also divided according to the method of cleaning the sump from contaminants. Non-flush products are called mud collectors. This category includes all oblique and a number of straight (vertical) mesh filters equipped with a removable lid. To clean the device sump from dirt, you need to disassemble the device and wash it.

Straight filters with a perpendicular sump, equipped with a flushing system, have an outlet valve. This tap allows you to drain the settled sediment into the sewer system, as well as clean the drain using direct or reverse flow of water.

Self-cleaning mesh filters produced by the German company Honeywell, which is a leader among companies manufacturing this type of equipment

Fibos type main filters with flushing system

Unlike mud filters and mesh filters, Fibos filters provide fine water purification. Their filter element is made in the form of a cylinder with ultra-fine microwire wound turn to turn. The distance between adjacent turns in the winding does not exceed 1 micron. This allows you to retain not only dirt particles, but also 99% of bacteria that form a biofilm on these particles. To prevent the Fibos filter element from becoming dirty, the microwire is covered with a thin layer of glass insulation, which prevents particles in the water from sticking to the microwire.

Microwire is a unique technology developed back in the USSR for defense and space purposes; the only mass production of it in the world is in Russia.

Fibos filters have direct flushing through the outlet tap into any suitable container or into the sewage system. An additional device allows you to automate the washing process.

The performance of the Fibos filter line has wide limits. Practically without reducing the pressure in the water supply system, the filters purify 5 liters of water per minute when used in the kitchen under the sink, 16 l/min when cleaning in an apartment or country house, 50 l/min in cottages, 83 l/min in cottages and swimming pools , up to 1000 l/min in production.

Since Fibos does fine water purification, if necessary, inexpensive cartridge filters can be installed after it to soften water, reduce iron content, and remove chlorine. In this case, the service life of the cartridges is significantly increased.

Fibos filters cost from 7,990 rubles with a service life of more than 10 years. The filters operate in both cold and hot water supply systems up to +95°C.

Fibos fine filter – the leader among mainline filters

How is fine water purification carried out?

Rough (mechanical) filtration removes most contaminants from water, but it is not able to completely remove a number of chemical elements and their compounds. Therefore, manufacturers offer equipment for fine water purification based on the use as a filter element:

• sorption materials (activated carbon or aluminosilicate);
• reverse osmosis membrane;
• ion exchange resins.

It is important to note that the working elements of these filters have to be changed. The frequency of cartridge replacement is indicated by the manufacturer. This value may depend on the time of use, as well as on the volume of filtered water.

Multi-stage systems - ultra-fine cleaning

In multi-stage water purification systems, after mechanical filtration, the water flow is treated with ultrafine filters, divided into several groups. You can learn more about each of them in this video:

A three-stage fine water filter allows you to obtain drinking water of good quality. The first stage is responsible for purifying water from mechanical impurities. As a result of this stage, the cloudy water becomes clear, but the purification process does not stop there. In the second stage, the water passes through an ion exchange cartridge, which changes its chemical composition. Oil products, pesticides, iron, chlorine and nitrates are removed from water. When boiling water that has undergone two-stage purification, scale does not form on the walls and heating elements of the kettle.

Multi-stage filters for ultrafine water purification for drinking without pre-boiling consist of two or three flasks containing cartridges of different effects

The third stage of water purification is provided by pressed activated carbon, which conditions the water flow. The water acquires a pleasant smell and taste and becomes crystal clear. Ideal for drinking. Three-flask systems are installed in the kitchen under the sink. At the same time, the interior of the room does not suffer. To remove highly purified drinking water, an additional tap is installed at the sink.

Reverse osmosis filters - molecular purification

Reverse osmosis filters are rightfully considered to be the most advanced water purification systems, since the processes occur at the molecular level. Tap water, passing through a thin-film semi-permeable membrane, the pore size of which is only 0.0001 microns, is purified from 99% of impurities. Only water molecules can leak through the pores of the membrane. Before water enters the reverse osmosis filter, it undergoes several degrees of purification. Otherwise, reverse osmosis filters would quickly fail, becoming clogged with large particles.

Typically, water goes through five stages of purification in such filters:

• at the first stage there is a cartridge responsible for the mechanical pre-purification of water from various impurities and suspensions (15-30 microns);
• at the second stage, water is purified with activated carbon, which removes gases, chlorine and organochlorine compounds;
• at the third stage, fine purification of water from mechanical impurities (1-5 microns) is carried out, as well as its additional purification with compressed activated carbon;
• at the fourth stage, the reverse osmosis method works (cleaning with a thin-film membrane);
• At the fifth stage there is a carbon post-filter.

Reverse osmosis filters provide an insurmountable barrier to such harmful substances contained in tap water as magnesium and mercury, strontium and arsenic, nitrates and nitrites, cyanides and asbestos, lead and fluorine, iron and chlorine, sulfates, as well as all types of bacteria and viruses. The water becomes crystal clear. Not only harmful substances are removed from it, but, unfortunately, even useful ones. Therefore, some models of reverse osmosis units are equipped with additional mineralizers and ionizers.

A five-stage reverse osmosis tap water purification plant allows you to obtain the necessary supply of clean drinking water, which is free of any harmful impurities

Installation diagram of a reverse osmosis filter system from ATOLL to obtain crystal clear water in the volume required for the needs of the family

It is important to say that if the water pressure in the water supply system is less than 3 atmospheres, then it is necessary to purchase a reverse osmosis filter equipped with a special pump.

Conclusions - which system do you need?

The choice of filter is always carried out for specific purposes. It is impractical and not economically profitable to purify all the water supplied to a house or apartment to potable condition. Large particles that get into tap water can be removed using a mesh filter or filter flask. They are installed on the inlet pipe of cold water or hot water supply.

Do you need well-purified drinking water? Then install a multi-stage fine cleaning system (with or without reverse osmosis) under the sink and have a separate tap for its supply. To protect your plumbing and household appliances, additionally install fine filters that reduce water hardness.