How to Install a Whole Home Water Filtration System
Learn how to quickly and easily install a whole-house water filtration system with SharkBite Max push-to-connect fittings and PEX-a pipe. Follow along as Taylor Freeman, a journeyman plumber with 10 years of experience, walks you through this installation and gives you his best tips and tricks.
Installation Overview
The first step is to pre-fab everything from the bottom up to minimize the time the customer's water is interrupted. This involves installing the inlet, outlet, bypass, and sediment filter.
Gather Your Materials
Before you begin, ensure you have all the necessary components:
- Whole-home Water Filter
- Bypass Assembly with Adapters
- SharkBite Max PEX Male Adapter
- SharkBite Depth and Deburr Tool
- SharkBite PEX-a Pipe
- SharkBite Max Reducing Coupling
- SharkBite Max Ball Valves
- SharkBite Max 90-Degree Elbow Fittings
- SharkBite Max Reducing Tee
- Sediment Filter
Installation
1. Run the Inlet Line.
After hand-tightening the bypass assembly to the top of the water filter, tighten adapters to the back of the check valve assembly. Then, prep the inlet side to ensure a watertight seal and thread on a SharkBite Max PEX male adapter and tighten it with a wrench.
Use the SharkBite depth and deburr tool to deburr your PEX pipe and mark the insertion depth measure the correct insertion depth for the SharkBite Max reducing coupling. Mark the depth onto the pipe and push the coupling to meet the mark. Then, install a SharkBite Max ball valve with PEX pipe about a foot from the reducing coupling. Remember to deburr and mark the depth for every fitting to prevent tearing the o-rings inside.
Then, route the inlet line through the wall joists and secure it with supports. Ensure it ties into the main line after the PRV (Pressure Reducing Valve) to protect the filter from excessive pressure.
2. Run the Outlet Line.
Install your male adapter and reducing coupling, then install a drain and connect it to the outlet line with PEX pipe, a SharkBite Max 90-degree elbow fitting, and install a ball valve to the top of the outlet line.
Next, hang the sediment filter next to the outlet line and connect it to the line with PEX pipes and SharkBite Max elbow fittings as needed. On the other side of the filter, install a ball valve with PEX pipe and run it to the ceiling and through the wall joists.
Before connecting to the main water line, turn off the water to the house and drain the system by opening a hose bib (the lowest point) and turn on an indoor faucet to prevent an airlock. Then, connect both the inlet and outlet lines to the main line, ensuring that it is after the PRV.
Install a ball valve at the main line so you can isolate the filter for maintenance while still providing water to the house (unfiltered). When the filter valves are off, the main ball valve can be opened to bypass the filter.
Activate the System
1. Fill the Water Filter Unit.
With the main bypass valve open and the outlet to the house closed, slowly open the ball valve to the filter unit. This fills the unit with water and allows the filters to soak for 48 hours. Soaking reduces carbon shedding into the house's water system.
2. Shut Off Bypass Valves.
After the unit is full, shut off both bypass valves. Open the main ball valve to restore unfiltered water to the house for the 48-hour soaking period.
3. Flush Out Carbon.
After 48 hours, flush out the system. Hook a garden hose to the drain you installed earlier. Open the bypass valves on the unit and slowly open the water inlet. This will flush out excess carbon (the black water you'll see) before it reaches your sediment filter.
4. Turn Water Filtration System On.
Once the water runs clear from the drain, shut off the drain. Fill the sediment tank, then turn off the bypass valves. Finally, open the outlet valve to the house, and 100% filtered water will flow to every fixture.
With SharkBite and careful attention to detail, you can successfully install a whole-home water filtration system and enjoy the benefits of clean, soft water throughout your home.