Natural water is never completely clean. There are always sediment and dissolved particles in it which can lead to a myriad of problems if not properly managed. For example, sediment can ruin your water appliances. It can also be harmful to health.
If you live in an area that is prone to sediments, sediment filtration devices such as string wound filters are what you need to safeguard your health and appliances. Here, we look at how these devices work so that you can get the contaminants out of your water for good.
An Understanding of Sediment Filters
Sediment filters for water are key components of any home water system. They are designed to remove unwanted particles from the water. These particles may include rust, dirt, clay, sand, and silt. Sediment filtration systems like string water filters also prevent pipes from clogging, which can save homeowners the cost of expensive repairs.
Features of this system include:
- Ability to remove suspended solids.
- Removes turbidity from water.
- Typically made of a variety of materials including wound string, polyester. polypropylene, cellulose, glass fiber, ceramic, and cotton.
- Can trap between 85% to 99.9% of particles.
How Does a Sediment Filter Work?
Sediment filtration devices use a fine mesh or pad that is placed in a body of water to physically prevent undesirable particle materials from entering your water supply. This system works just like a sieve or screen door. Only particles that are small enough to pass through the holes in the mesh (in this case, water) can get into your home. Some sediment filtration systems remove suspended particles via depth gradient. These exert pressure on the water, forcing it through walls of filter media that get increasingly tighter as the water gets closer to the center and screening out increasingly minute particles in the process.
What is a Sediment Water Filter Used For?
Sediment filters remove impurities from your water, including sediment and other unwanted particles, to ensure that your water is safe to drink. They have a wide range of applications and are typically used in:
- Reverse osmosis
- Ultraviolet purification
- Whole house sediment filtration
They also help to increase the lifespan of carbon filters.
Types of Sediment Filters
Sediment filters come in many types of configurations, with each design suited for different applications. Here are some of the more popular configurations.
Spin-down filters
Spin down filtration systems work by spinning water around a special filtration media, which is designed to trap small solids. The process is similar to that of centrifugal force in a washing machine. The spinning action causes the particles to drop down and collect on the filtration media where they can be removed.
Bag filters
Made from synthetic materials such as polypropylene or polyester fiberglass cloth (PEFC), these bags trap any particulate matter entering them by trapping, allowing the water to seep out through its tiny permeable pores.
Melt-blown filters
Melt-blown filters are made of melt-blown polypropylene fibers. They are made in a continuous manner using a melting and blowing process, eventually forming a series of intricately arranged fibers. Because the core of the melt-blown system is thicker than the outside, it can process as low as 10 microns and below, making it ideal for removing fine particulate.
String wound water filters
String wound sediment filters consist of tightly wound cotton, polyester, or polypropylene strings. The string is tightly woven around a core to produce a graded density that will trap particulates. During the filtration process, increasingly fine particles are removed as water travels through the strings.
Pleated filters
A typical pleated water filter has an accordion-shaped design and is made up of thin sheets of polyester or polypropylene. The pleated system has a large surface area that allows it to trap particulate matter. Because of the way they are designed, these models can be washed and reused.
How Often Should I Change The Sediment Filter?
Sediment filters can clog if not changed regularly. It is therefore recommended that you replace them at least once every 6 to 12 months. Some people replace their ​​string water filter cartridges once every 4 months though. A good way to tell if a change is due is to pay attention to the pressure of your water faucet. Poor pressure means that the item is clogged with debris and that you need to do a sediment filter replacement as soon as possible.
Conclusion
Even though your water may appear clear when you look at it, chances are there are lots of things floating in there that you cannot see. Thankfully, string wound sediment filters can help eliminate up to 99% of these foreign objects. The key is to buy from a reliable source like FILTERWAY so that you can be sure you are buying genuine and durable sediment water filter cartridges.
