Installing a Shower Head Filter for Hard Water

Installing a shower head filter in all showers in the house is recommended by medical experts as these filters help to filter hard water. Special models can also be bought to minimize harmful substances and chemicals like chlorine that may be present in the water. Numerous studies have established that inhaling these substances and gasses in the close proximity created by a shower can have an extremely negative impact on one’s health, and hence, taking a measure to prevent the buildup of such materials in the body is greatly recommended by doctors.

Shower head filters work on the principle of exchanging ions. These even out the mineral content of the water and will soften the hard water. Traces of metals such as copper and lead are often found in water and are known to have negative effects on the body. Chlorine is known to cause a variety of respiratory problems such as sinus irritations, asthma attacks and allergies. Hence, installing a shower head filter in every bathroom of the house is a good safety measure.

Step 1 - Buy the Shower Head Filter

These filters can be bought from almost any hardware store. The cost of the filter depends upon the make and quality of the product that one selects. It usually ranges between $15 and $30. Filters have to be changed every six to 12 months so while buying them it is advisable to consult a salesperson on which hard water filter is known to do a good job.

Step 2 - Remove the Shower Head

The first step is to take the shower head off. This involves using the wrench to pull it out of its placement. Removing the shower head is not an easy task as these are generally fixed into position very tightly. Wrenching them off usually takes some time and a considerable degree of effort.

Step 3 - Put in the Shower Head Filter

Once the shower head has been removed, the shower head filter has to be fixed into its place. The filter should be tightened into the spot where the shower head was removed from. The wrench can be used to screw the filter into place. It is important to ensure the shower head filter does not become too tight as this can cause the threads on the filter to tear.

Step 4 - Replace the Shower Head over the Filter

The shower head has to be fitted into place over the filter. Once the filter has been tightened the shower head needs to be replaced. It can be fixed onto the open end of the filter. It is important to be careful while fixing the shower head back; one has to take care not to tighten it too much.

Step 5 - Check the Shower

After the two portions have been fixed into place the final step is to make sure the shower is working properly. Initially when the shower is turned on you might see darkly colored water rushing out for a few minutes. This happens because of the presence of charcoal residue and other elements in the shower head filter.

After a few minutes the murky water will clear up on its own. In case of any leaks from either end of the filter one should wait for about 15 minutes for it to stop. If it doesn’t, you need to unscrew the shower head and the filter and fit them back into place again.