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3-Stage Water Filtration Systems - doobes - 07-29-2025
So,
When we built the house, I bought one of these and had it installed as part of a water distro system to the sink and refrigerator,:
[attachment=55366]
LOML and I were headed out on Friday to our daughter's house in Raleigh, when my wife commented on the wet floor in the garage.
As it turns out, it was the filter, so I just shut off the inlet valve and we departed.
Looking at it last night after we got back, it looked like the push in tube fitting was leaking, so I went and bought new brass compression fittings to replace the plastic push ins.
Trouble is, it wasn't the fitting.
Taking the thing off the wall, the tops of all three housings are split where the fittings are threaded.
So, I go looking over at the 'zon, and virtually everyone one of these 3 filter systems has a goodly number of people complaining about leakage due to split housings.
So, I'm throwing this out there for ideas on alternatives that I won't be replacing every 2 years.
Thanks in advance
RE: 3-Stage Water Filtration Systems - EightFingers - 07-29-2025
Wow, I installed two of those in our house in Hawaii and they were in there for at least eight years when we sold the house. No problems with them.
RE: 3-Stage Water Filtration Systems - Cabinet Monkey - 07-29-2025
(07-29-2025, 12:51 PM)doobes Wrote: So,
When we built the house, I bought one of these and had it installed as part of a water distro system to the sink.
Taking the thing off the wall, the tops of all three housings are split where the fittings are threaded.
So, I'm throwing this out there for ideas on alternatives that I won't be replacing every 2 years.
Thanks in advance
What exactly are you filtering for -or- how bad is your water ?
Well or Muni supplied ?
Do you use the dispenser shown or is the line connected to your main sink faucet ?
You only got two years out of the system before failure ?
RE: 3-Stage Water Filtration Systems - GaryMc - 07-29-2025
After putting up with municipal water loaded with iron and manganese for many years, almost 3 years ago we had a whole-house dual-stage filter system from iSpring installed with shutoff valves and bypass lines; filters are a carbon one first (removes chlorinated and other organics) and then a metals one that removes the iron and manganese. Unbelievable how much better the water tastes and how much less soap or detergent is needed, and a plus is much reduced oxidation and bacterial growth (pink=iron, black=manganese) at faucet openings. They also have a 3-stage with sediment filter for use with well water.
Never had a problem with the system. Housings are substantial and sealed with giant double o-rings, so hand-tight works fine. Filters are pricey but are huge (and heavy!) and we find last for a full year. Only issue is the housings full of water/filter are heavy when replacing so it takes care (or four hands) not to jimmy up the threads and o-rings when unscrewing.
If I am using a lot of water such as in the garden or washing vehicles it is a simple matter to open the bypass valves so as not to use the "good" stuff.
Gary
RE: 3-Stage Water Filtration Systems - doobes - 07-29-2025
Water is muni supplied. Dunno how bad it is, we have never drunk it. We used Brita filters religiously in the past and decided to have this system installed when we built the house.
Amusingly enough, the system was supposed to feed the refrigerator in the kitchen, the freezer in the utility room, an ice maker in the pantry, and a spigot on the counter next to the sink.
The chilled water/ice maker in the refrigerator is still going great guns, so the brain damaged plumber (who charged me a ton of money for this system) didn't plumb it correctly. It's been over a year, so this one is on me to fix..... Everything in the house is pex/shark bite, so I'll have to buy the crimper.....
I was looking at the iSpring stuff. The upfront cost is a bit less, but the filters are more expensive than the Apex. Pay me now, or pay me later....
cheers,
RE: 3-Stage Water Filtration Systems - Cabinet Monkey - 07-29-2025
Quote:Water is muni supplied. Dunno how bad it is, we have never drunk it
Then it should be of reasonably good quality. Safe at least.
I'd think your 1st order of business would be to have a sample tested to see what you're working with. No sense in purchasing & maintaining filters designed to filter things that aren't present in your water to begin with.
Quote:Amusingly enough, the system was supposed to feed the refrigerator in the kitchen, the freezer in the utility room, an ice maker in the pantry, and a spigot on the counter next to the sink.
The chilled water/ice maker in the refrigerator is still going great guns, so the brain damaged plumber (who charged me a ton of money for this system) didn't plumb it correctly. It's been over a year, so this one is on me to fix..... Everything in the house is pex/shark bite, so I'll have to buy the crimper.....
That's a lot of ice makers. I assume the system wasn't plumbed how you asked because the filter array is now offline and the appliances you mentioned still have water ???
A couple of thoughts on this:
1. Four outlets is a lot to ask of a small(ish) filter system like that. It would also significantly reduce your time between filter changes by a least half , probably more because of the increased demand placed on the filter. $$$
2. Most fridges/freezers/stand alone ice machines have their own filters these days. Double filtering is kinda a waste.
3. The four outlets you mentioned needing filtered water are likely quite far apart which would present a pressure and/or flow problem for that size filter.
4. It would be extremely rare that a kitchen designer would specify a kitchen with supply shutoffs for four different appliances in different rooms to be located under the main sink along with a water filter. While I think it's a "best practice" to locate the main fridge water shutoff under the sink instead of behind the fridge which is typical - I constantly meet resistance from colleagues.
5. Even more rare would be that you'd find a plumber who would layout a pipe system in which all the home's ice maker supply lines ran back to the main kitchen sink for termination/distribution. Most don't even like to homerun separate lines for each fixture back to a central manifold in a mechanical room when using PEX piping. Even when the design professionals and construction drawings specify it to be done this way. So, I'm not surprised you didn't get what you asked for - and even if you did, I doubt it would work satisfactory anyway with the filter you selected.
6. Some ice makers require a high pressure in order to activate the fill solenoid and I've seen an instance or two in which adding a filter to the unit has caused the maker to become inoperable because of the restriction the filter put on it. Some filters do a better job of maintaining flow rate and pressure than others. Something to be very mindful of in your ask of filtering 4 different appliances with one filter. Especially and undersink type.
Quote:I was looking at the iSpring stuff. The upfront cost is a bit less, but the filters are more expensive than the Apex
A quick glance at this tells/shows me it's pretty much the same as your broken one - plastic housings ! It seems marginally better in that it really has 3 different types of filters as opposed to your current unit with two types.
My rec. is to look for a a filter array with a stainless steel housing -or- to use a system that uses bayonet type cartridges in which the filter media and plastic housing are replaced with every change. They never get old enough to become brittle and crack. Another option would be to get a fiberglass housing , but those are generally reserved for whole house arrays and will not fit under a sink. Everpure & AquaPure/3M make stainless housings. Lots of choices in the disposable bayonet game. Ditto with whole house fiberglass tanks.
BUT BEFORE YOU DO ANYTHING - you really should get a test done. iSpring sells 4 different undercounter three array filter kits.
- Which one are you looking at ?
-Why ?
Buying an array with a built in pressure gauge or having a separate one plumbed in would allow you monitor the condition of your filters. Strictly not necessary , but nice.
Quote:I was looking at the iSpring stuff. The upfront cost is a bit less, but the filters are more expensive than the Apex.I always get a chuckle on comments like these. You are asking for a filter system not so much for health an safety reasons - meaning your water doesn't need to be filtered & you want said filter to be able to supply four different things in 3 different locations...........................but you're worried about cost ? ? ?
which................will amount to around a hundred bucks year.
You'd realize more savings every year from turning off some of the seldom used fridges/ freezers than you'll save choosing the "cheapest" filter. Though, I really wouldn't worry about it either way.
RE: 3-Stage Water Filtration Systems - fixtureman - 07-29-2025
By chance did it freeze
RE: 3-Stage Water Filtration Systems - Cabinet Monkey - 07-30-2025
(07-29-2025, 05:11 PM)fixtureman Wrote: By chance did it freeze
Very Doubtful.
He said all three cracked at their threaded inlets. Which suggests poor assembly practice, likely at the factory. But possibly on-site by the plumber.
Over tightening the fittings sounds most likely.
RE: 3-Stage Water Filtration Systems - Snipe Hunter - 07-30-2025
Now bad is your water? Do you really need it?
RE: 3-Stage Water Filtration Systems - EightFingers - 07-31-2025
(07-30-2025, 05:50 PM)Snipe Hunter Wrote: Now bad is your water? Do you really need it?
Probably can go without for three days, then you really need it