Signs you need this
- White scale on taps and kettle
- Orange stains in sinks
- Pump clicking on and off rapidly
- Pressure falling during a shower
Kit on the van, and the method
- Hardness and iron test kit
- Bypass valve and drain-line fittings
- Pressure switch and tank gauge
- Cartridge housings and wrenches
Before we leave: Test the water after the install and set the regeneration to the result.
Start with the source
Most of Whitby is fed by the Region of Durham with lake water that is treated and disinfected. It meets provincial standards, but some households want to reduce chlorine taste or hardness. Rural properties in Ashburn, Myrtle and the countryside depend on private wells, where the homeowner is responsible for water quality.
Common systems
| System | What it addresses | Where it goes |
|---|---|---|
| Sediment filter | Sand, rust and grit | At the main, ahead of other equipment |
| Carbon filter | Chlorine taste and odour, some organics | Whole home or under sink |
| Reverse osmosis | Dissolved solids, many contaminants | Under sink, for drinking water |
| UV steriliser | Bacteria in well water | After sediment filtration on wells |
| Iron filter | Iron and some sulphur odour | At the main on wells |
| Softener | Hardness minerals | At the main, before the water heater |
Installation details
Point-of-entry units sit on the main past the meter or pressure tank, with a bypass so water keeps flowing while cartridges are changed. We leave space for cartridge changes and, for softeners and backwashing filters, a drain connection with an air gap. Under-sink units need a dedicated faucet hole or the right counter material for drilling.
Maintenance matters
A neglected filter can be worse than none. Cartridges load up and restrict pressure; UV lamps lose strength; softeners run out of salt. We set you up with a simple schedule. For background, read hard water in Durham and private wells. Softeners are covered on water softener installation.