Introduction
Installing a shower filter in your home is a simple way to improve your shower experience and promote healthier hair and skin. Shower filters remove impurities like chlorine, metals, and minerals from water as it passes through the shower head. This leaves you with cleaner, softer water that won’t dry out or irritate your skin and hair.
A shower filter is easy to install yourself in just a few steps. With some basic tools and following the instructions, you can have a filtered shower head working in less than an hour. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know to choose the right shower filter and install it properly.
Benefits of Installing a Shower Filter
There are many advantages to installing a shower filter in your bathroom:
- Improves hair and skin health – Shower filters remove chlorine and metals that can dry out hair and skin. This leaves your hair softer, smoother, and less prone to damage. Your skin will feel more hydrated and less irritated after bathing.
- Prevents buildup on fixtures – Hard water minerals like calcium and magnesium can leave a white, chalky residue on your shower head and tile over time. A shower filter prevents this unsightly mineral buildup.
- Removes odors and chemicals – Chlorine and sulfur in water can cause unpleasant odors. A shower filter removes these smells leaving water that smells fresh and clean.
- Extends life of water heater – Scale buildup from hard water minerals damages hot water heaters and pipes over time. Using a shower filter reduces this scale buildup, prolonging the life of your water heater.
- Affordable and easy to install – Shower filters provide big benefits at a low cost. Most shower filters cost less than $50 and can be installed in about 15-30 minutes without any special tools.
Choosing the Right Shower Filter
There are a few factors to consider when selecting a shower filter for your home:
Filter Type
- KDF (kinetic degradation fluxion) – These filters use a copper-zinc formulation along with a replaceable filter cartridge to remove chlorine and heavy metals. KDF filters are affordable and effective for most homeowners.
- Vitamin C – Vitamin C filters use ascorbic acid to neutralize chlorine in the water chemically. They are very effective at chlorine removal but need regular vitamin C filter replacements.
- Carbon – Shower filters with activated carbon absorb and trap chlorine and chemicals. Carbon filters must be replaced regularly as they become saturated.
- Ceramic – Ceramic filters use tiny pores to mechanically trap minerals and sediments. Ceramic shower filter cartridges need occasional replacing.
Filter Capacity
- Check the rated capacity or lifespan for the shower filter. This determines how often you will need to change the cartridge. Most cartridges last 6 months to 1 year depending on your water quality and usage.
- For households with 1-2 people, a 6 month filter cartridge capacity is usually sufficient. Larger families may need a filter with a higher capacity.
Flow Rate
- The flow rate measures how much water passes through the shower filter in gallons per minute (GPM). Standard shower heads have a flow rate of 2.5 GPM.
- Look for a shower filter with a comparable flow rate. Lower flow rates around 1.5 GPM can cause low water pressure.
- Some high capacity shower heads have restrictions to limit flow to 2.5 GPM per federal regulations. Make sure your filter matches your existing shower head flow rate.
Connection Type
- Most shower filters are designed to easily connect to a standard shower arm outlet. Check that the connection matches your current setup.
- Some handheld shower heads use additional adapters. Verify what adapters may be needed for your particular model.
- Shower filters are also available in inline configurations that install along the pipe to filter all water to the shower. These require some basic plumbing work but provide whole house filtration.
Shower Filter Installation Steps
Installing a shower filter is a straightforward project most DIY homeowners can tackle in about 30 minutes or less. Follow these key steps:
Gather Necessary Materials
Before starting, make sure you have the following materials ready:
- Shower filter
- Teflon plumbing tape
- Adjustable wrench
- Rag
- Small bucket
Turn Off Water Supply
Locate the shutoff valves controlling the shower and turn them clockwise to shut off the water supply. These are usually under the sink or near the water meter. Turning off the water prevents messy leaks during installation.
Disconnect Existing Shower Head
Use an adjustable wrench to loosen and unscrew the connection between the shower arm and shower head. Set aside the old shower head. Wrap the shower arm threads with 2-3 layers of plumbing tape. This seals the connection to prevent leaks.
Attach Filter to Shower Arm
Align the inlet end of the shower filter to the shower arm. Hand tighten initially. Then use a wrench to finish tightening the connection snugly. Do not overtighten. The plumbing tape will form a waterproof seal.
Connect Adjustable Shower Head
Most shower filters have a swivel head outlet you can angle as needed. Connect your regular adjustable shower head here using plumbing tape and wrench to tighten.
Flush Filter Before Use
Turn the main water back on and check for leaks. Let water run through the shower and new filter for 2-3 minutes. This flushes out any loose carbon or filtration particles. Catch water in the bucket and drain.
Enjoy Your New Shower Filter!
Your filtered shower head is now ready for use! The water flow and pressure should remain consistent. Enjoy softer, cleaner water and notice the benefits for your hair, skin, and shower.
Shower Filter Maintenance Tips
To keep your new shower filter working properly, follow these tips:
- Replace filter cartridges based on manufacturer guidelines, usually every 6-12 months. Mark your calendar if needed.
- Periodically clean the shower head spray jets with vinegar to prevent clogging and keep flow consistent.
- Avoid using soaps, shampoos, and cleaning products directly on the filter as they can degrade the media.
- Check any rubber washers and o-rings regularly and replace if worn out to prevent leaks.
- Flushing the lines weekly helps rinse out sediments and maintain pressure.
- If water pressure drops, remove and soak the cartridge in vinegar to dissolve mineral buildup clogging the filter.
Frequently Asked Questions About Installing Shower Filters
How long does it take to install a shower filter?
Most shower filters take 30 minutes or less to install, even for someone with no plumbing experience. You only need basic tools and to shut off water, remove old shower head, install filter, attach new head, and turn water back on.
Where do you install a shower filter?
A shower filter installs between the wall shower pipe and the shower head. It typically uses the standard shower arm threaded outlet most shower heads connect to. No under-sink filtration is needed.
Does a shower filter reduce water pressure?
Most quality shower filters are designed not to restrict water flow or pressure. Look for a filter with a flow rate of 2.5 GPM or more to match standard shower heads. Maintain the filter as recommended to prevent clogging.
Do shower filters soften water?
Shower filters reduce minerals and chemicals but do not fully soften the water or remove hardness like a whole house water softener does. However, by removing some scale-forming calcium and magnesium, shower filters do help prevent hard water buildup.
How long do shower filters last before needing replacement?
Typical shower filter cartridges need to be replaced every 6-12 months depending on your water quality and usage. Some may last up to 1-2 years. Check your model specs and replace filters per manufacturer recommendations.
Are shower filters worth it?
Yes, especially if you have sensitive skin or hair problems from chlorinated and mineral-rich hard water. The low cost of shower filters provides noticeable benefits for your skin, hair, and shower fixture scale buildup. Installation is quick and easy in most homes.
Conclusion
Adding a shower filter is one of the simplest ways to improve your bathing experience for a relatively low cost. The installation process is straightforward and can be completed by most homeowners in less than an hour with basic tools and supplies.
Choose a quality shower filter designed to handle the flow rate of your shower head and effectively reduce chlorine, minerals, sediments, and odors. Maintain the filter as directed to keep it working properly for 6-12 months or longer before replacing cartridges.
After installing your shower filter, you can enjoy immediate benefits like softer hair and skin, fewer odors, and reduced scale buildup on your shower head. The cleaner, healthier water will make your daily shower a more relaxing oasis.