Install a Water Filter and Save

Installing a water filter does more than soften your water and make it taste better. It can make your drinking water healthier and help you save money in the long run.

There are many types and models of filters to choose from. Here are the steps for installing under-sink and whole-house filters. After deciding which filter works best for you, visit your local True Value hardware store for all the expert advice and products you need.

Install an Under-Sink Water Filter
Install a Whole-House Water Filter

Install an Under-Sink Water Filter

Under-sink filters deliver good-tasting, pure water for drinking, making ice and cooking. Installing one requires more plumbing knowledge than a countertop or faucet filter, but under-sink water filters tend to be more convenient. Because under-sink filters connect directly to the water supply line, the filtered water is available through a separate drinking water faucet you’ll install above the sink.

Step 1. Clean Out the Cabinet 
You'll need room to work under the cabinet now, as well as access to the filter after it's installed, so clear out the cabinet under the sink. Later you may want some under-sink organizers, such as roll-out racks, to maximize storage without interfering with the filtration system.

Step 2. Find the Cold Water Line
Identify which pipe is the cold water line. If you aren't sure, try turning on the hot water and let it heat up. Carefully feel the pipes with your hand. The pipe that isn't hot is your cold water line. Turn off the water.

Step 3. Mount the Filter
Position the filter’s mounting base on a side wall of the cabinet and mark the holes for the mounting screws. Then attach the base, making sure to leave the required room below the unit for changing the filter. The bottom of the filter should be at least 3" above the bottom of the sink cabinet.

Bore clearance holes for the mounting screws. The bracket should be screwed into a wall stud if possible. Use a stud finder to locate the wall studs. If you don't have a stud finder, you can tap lightly on the wall with the underside of your fist. When you find a stud, your tapping sound will resonate less.

If there isn't a wall stud available, use hollow-wall anchor bolts or toggle bolts to secure the bracket to the wall. Mount the filter onto the bracket.

The easiest place to install the filter faucet—and the only place if you have a cast iron sink—is in an existing hole, such as the one used for a sprayer or dish soap dispenser. Drilling a stainless steel sink requires a costly plug cutter or step drill bit. You can also drill a one-inch hole in the countertop using a one-inch hole saw. Mount the faucet in the hole with a sink wrench as directed.

• If you don't want to lose the sprayer, consider replacing your sink faucet with one that has an integrated sprayer. That way, you can still have a sprayer and faucet for the water filter.

Step 4. Tap In To Water Line
If your filter has a self-piercing saddle valve, simply screw-clamp it around the cold water line and turn the handle clockwise to pierce the pipe. If the filter comes with a T-adapter fitting, close the cold-water shut-off valve under the sink and remove the riser (the tubing that connects to the sink faucet). Use an adjustable wrench for the compression fitting above the valve and a sink wrench for the fitting at the faucet. Cut out a section of the pipe using a tubing cutter and install the compression T-adapter in its place.

Step 5. Complete Tubing Connections
Attach the plastic tubing to the filter, water line and new faucet. Wrap Teflon plumber's tape clockwise around the male end of any threaded fittings to assure a leak-proof connection. Open the saddle valves or turn on the water to make sure there are no leaks.

Then reload the cabinet and you're all set.

• If you have an icemaker and it connects to the water supply under the sink or somewhere you can access from under the sink, install a second T-fitting in the line after the filter so it to can be supplied by filtered water.

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Install a Whole-House Water Filter

Whole-house water filters trap any sediment and contaminants before they travel through your pipes, making it the best solution for household filtering. Because this kind of filter connects to the main water line, it improves your water quality and lengthens the life of appliances like dishwashers and washing machines. Once you've installed the filter, it's as easy to maintain as a pitcher filter—just change the cartridge every few months.

Note: Because house plumbing varies widely, these are not "one-size-fits-all" instructions for putting in a whole-house filter. These are general guidelines for all installations. Your local True Value associate can give you advice and tips for installing a whole-house filter with your specific household plumbing.

Step 1. Turn Off Water Main
Turn off the water at the main valve and drain the system. You can do this by opening the highest and lowest fixtures in the house. The filter should be placed on the main water supply line near where it enters the house, at any point past the main shut-off valve for the whole house but before pipes branch off in multiple directions.

Step 2. Cut Into Main Water Line
After you've selected the filter for your home, you'll need to cut a section of pipe large enough to accommodate the filter. Use a hand saw or reciprocating saw with a metal-cutting blade to remove approximately a 6" section from the main water line. Then smooth the newly cut ends with a steel file to avoid jagged points or edges. Keep a bucket handy to catch water that escapes as you slice through the metal.

• Take the necessary precautions when using a saw and cutting metal. Wear protective eyewear and a facemask to protect yourself from any metal shavings.

Step 3. Place the Filter 
Install the filter as directed by the manufacturer's instructions. Note that you want to place a shutoff valve immediately on either side of the filter. This will let you change the filter without causing a mini-flood every time.

To do this, you will need to familiarize yourself with basic pipe soldering techniques. First, make sure the pipe ends and shutoff valve surfaces are clean. You can clean them by scrubbing them with some wire wool. Next, use flux (a substance used in soldering to connect two metals) to remove oxides from the interior surfaces of the pipe and valve. This also facilitates soldering. Flux should be applied to the pipe and the valve where it will connect to the pipe. Then, using a soldering wire and blowtorch, melt the wire by placing it against the surface of the pipe where the two pieces are being joined. The blowtorch is applied directly to the pipe to heat it and melt the solder.

Step 4. Turn On the Water
After making the connection, reopen the valve on the incoming side. Let the filter and pipes refill with water before letting water flow toward the rest of the house. Watch the new joints carefully, making sure they don't leak. If a lot of water is escaping, re-solder the joint; smaller leaks can be sealed off with Teflon plumber's tape. Once everything seems to be working, tighten the filter using a wrench. You’ll now get moths of pure, filtered water throughout your entire house.

Congratulations! No matter which kind of filter you choose to install, you’re giving your family healthier drinking water and helping your appliances last longer. Head to your local True Value hardware store for the products and expert advice you need to start all of your home projects right.

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