Most people consider a water filter because they want better-tasting drinking water. That’s a completely valid reason. But the benefits of a well-chosen, professionally installed water filtration system go well beyond what’s in your glass. Your plumber Sydney team at All Day Plumbing installs water filters for Sydney households every week, and the feedback from clients consistently covers benefits they didn’t expect when they first enquired. Here is a complete picture of what a water filter can do for your home.
Better-Tasting, Better-Smelling Drinking Water
The most immediate and noticeable benefit. Sydney’s mains water is treated with chlorine and chloramines to make it safe, and while those treatment chemicals are present at levels that are safe to drink, they do affect taste and odour. Activated carbon filtration removes these compounds effectively, and most households report a significant improvement in the taste of tap water within the first use. For households currently spending money on bottled water or relying on a filter jug, a properly installed under-sink or whole-house system delivers far more capacity and far better consistency at a lower ongoing cost.
Healthier Skin and Hair From Filtered Shower Water
Chlorine and chloramines don’t just affect the taste of your drinking water. They also affect the water you bathe in. These chemicals can strip the natural oils from skin and hair, contributing to dryness, irritation, and in some people, exacerbation of eczema or sensitive skin conditions. A whole-house water filter removes chlorine and chloramines from every outlet in the home, including your shower. Many households with children or family members who have sensitive skin or scalp conditions notice a meaningful improvement after installation. This is one of the benefits people most often mention that they hadn’t anticipated.
Extended Life for Hot Water Systems and Appliances
Sediment, scale-forming minerals, and chlorine all contribute to the degradation of appliances and hot water systems over time. Sediment particles that enter a hot water system accumulate at the base of the tank, reducing heating efficiency and accelerating corrosion. Scale build-up on heating elements in electric hot water systems, dishwashers, and washing machines reduces their efficiency and shortens their service life. A whole-house sediment filter upstream of your hot water system and appliances reduces this load significantly. Read our post on how to know if your hot water system needs replacing or just repaired to understand how sediment and scale contribute to premature system failure.
Protection for Internal Pipework
Chlorinated water is corrosive to copper pipes over long periods of exposure. In older Sydney homes where copper pipework has been in place for decades, the combination of chlorinated water and the natural acidity of Sydney’s soft water supply can contribute to pinhole leaks and corrosion at joints. A whole-house carbon filter that removes chlorine before the water enters your internal pipework reduces this long-term corrosion risk. For homes with older pipework already showing signs of wear, this is a worthwhile preventive measure.
Reduced Dependence on Bottled Water
Households that currently buy bottled water because they don’t like the taste of tap water can eliminate that cost entirely with a point-of-use under-sink filter or a whole-house system. The ongoing cost of filter cartridge replacements is a fraction of what most households spend on bottled water annually. Beyond the cost saving, it eliminates the plastic waste associated with bottled water, which is a meaningful reduction in household environmental impact. A good-quality under-sink multi-stage filter produces water that is comparable to or better than most commercial bottled water at a running cost measured in cents per litre.
Peace of Mind About Water Quality in Older Homes
Sydney has a large housing stock from the 1950s through to the 1980s. Homes from this era may have lead solder in copper pipe joints, galvanised steel pipes with internal corrosion, or ageing connection points that introduce contaminants into the water between the street main and the tap. A correctly specified water filter installation Sydney that includes a filter rated for heavy metals and particulates provides a meaningful layer of protection for households in older properties where the internal pipework has not been replaced.
Better Water for Cooking
The quality of your water affects far more than what you drink straight from the tap. Water used to cook pasta, rice, soups, and beverages absorbs the taste of chlorine and other compounds. Filtered water used for cooking produces noticeably better results, particularly in dishes where water is a primary ingredient. Coffee and tea made with filtered water consistently taste better than the same product made with chlorinated tap water. For households that invest in quality coffee equipment, filtered water also protects the equipment itself from scale build-up.
Reduced Scale on Fixtures and Glassware
Sydney’s water is moderately hard in some supply zones, which means it carries dissolved calcium and magnesium minerals that deposit as white scale on taps, showerheads, glass shower screens, and glassware. Whole-house filtration systems that include a scale inhibitor or water conditioner significantly reduce this build-up. Less scale means less cleaning, longer-lasting fixtures, and shower screens and glassware that stay cleaner for longer without aggressive chemical cleaners.
Related Reading
- How Do You Keep Water Fresh in a Rainwater Tank?
- How Do I Know If My Hot Water System Needs Replacing or Just Repaired in Sydney?
- Why Has Your Water Pressure Suddenly Dropped?
Ready to Install a Water Filter in Your Sydney Home?
All Day Plumbing installs whole-house and point-of-use water filtration systems across Sydney for residential and commercial properties. Call us today on 1300 071 280 to discuss the right system for your home.