Water Filter Installation.Done Right.

What we do

We fit the filter body, connect inlet and outlet, add isolation valves and flush the system before use.

What to expect

A filter improves taste or removes specific things such as chlorine or sediment, but it does not make every contaminant disappear. Each type does a different job.

Installation

We fit the filter, connect water, add a dedicated tap if needed and test. Replacement cartridges need changing on a schedule.

Cost over time, not only at purchase

The upfront price is only part of it. Cartridges are a regular cost, and a cheap unit with expensive cartridges can cost more over a few years. Compare the yearly cost of cartridges, not just the unit, and note when the first change is due.

Taste and smell: what usually causes them

Chlorine gives water a pool-like taste and smell. Metallic tastes can come from pipes or taps. A musty taste can come from the source or from stagnant water in a pipe. Letting a glass sit in the fridge lowers chlorine taste for many people, which helps you decide whether a filter is worth the cost. If the problem is only at one tap, check the aerator and the tap first.

Choosing a type of filter

A filter is chosen to deal with a specific complaint. A carbon cartridge under the sink can improve taste and odour. A whole-house filter at the meter treats all the water, including showers and washing machines. A tap-mounted unit is the simplest option but is less discreet. Start with what bothers you, whether that is chlorine taste, cloudy water or something else, then match the filter to it.

If you are worried about contaminants rather than taste, a plumber is not a testing laboratory. Your water retailer publishes information about its supply, and an accredited lab can test a sample from your tap.

Where it goes and what it needs

An under-sink filter needs space for the housing and a way to change the cartridge without bending in half. It usually needs a connection to the cold supply and sometimes a dedicated tap on the sink. A whole-house unit needs a straight length of pipe with room around it and a bypass so you can change cartridges without shutting the house down. Check the available space and the water pressure before you buy.

Cartridges, running costs and reminders

The part people forget is the cartridge. A filter that is never changed stops filtering and can become a place for growth. Check how often the maker recommends a change, what a replacement costs and whether it is easy to buy in Australia. Put a reminder in your phone on the day it is installed.

Ask for the model number to be written on your invoice so you can reorder the correct cartridge.

Warranty, certification and product choice

Look for products marked with the appropriate Australian standards for plumbing products, and keep the receipt and warranty card. Cheap imports with no local support can leave you with a unit you cannot service. A plumber can talk through which products are easy to get parts for.

Questions to ask before you buy a filter

What problem does this filter deal with, and how do I know it works? How often does the cartridge change and what does a replacement cost? Does it need a separate tap? Where does the waste water go? Who services it and are parts easy to buy locally? A salesperson who cannot answer these plainly is a warning sign.

Hot water, ice makers and other connections

A filter on the cold supply is usually enough for drinking water, but a fridge with an ice maker or a coffee machine may need its own connection and a filter rated for that appliance. Tell the plumber about every appliance on the line so the connections match.

What a filter will not do

A household filter is not a cure for every water concern, and it is not a substitute for advice from your water retailer or a health professional if you have a specific worry. It can improve taste and remove some particles, but it also needs regular care, since a neglected filter can make water worse.

What a filter can and cannot do

Filters improve taste and remove some particles, chlorine or other substances, depending on the cartridge. They do not make every water problem go away, and a filter can only remove what it is designed to remove. Read the product's claims and check whether it is independently certified for what you want to treat.

If you have a specific concern about your water, contact your water retailer first. They publish water quality information for your area.

Cartridge changes and hygiene

A filter that is not changed on time can stop doing its job and, in some cases, grow bacteria. Set a reminder for the cartridge date, keep a spare, and flush a new cartridge as the instructions say. Check that the filter tap or housing is not leaking and that the supply is not restricted.

Ask the plumber where the isolation valve is and how to change the cartridge, and keep the manual with your plumbing papers.

Under-sink, benchtop and whole-house filters compared

An under-sink filter treats the water at one tap, usually the kitchen, and keeps the bench clear. A benchtop unit needs no plumbing but takes bench space. A whole-house filter treats all the water entering the home and suits problems such as sediment, but it is a larger installation with a higher cost and more maintenance.

Choose by what you want to remove and where you drink or cook. Check the product's certification for the substances you care about, the cartridge life, the price of replacements and the flow rate. A plumber can advise on the supply and space, but the product's certification claims are the manufacturer's, so read them carefully.

Guides worth reading

• Rainwater Tanks and Pumps: What to Know Before You Install

Related plumbing services

• Rainwater Tanks and Pumps: Rainwater tank plumbing, pump installation and repairs.
• Dishwasher and Washing Machine Installation: Dishwashers and washing machines connected to water and waste.
• Emergency plumbing is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

Talk to GSA Plumbing Services

Call 0401 041 103 or send an enquiry on the contact page. We work across Geelong, Melbourne and surrounding suburbs.