ServicesWhole-house carbon filtration
Whole-House Carbon Filtration in Richardson
City water is safe to drink, but the disinfectant can leave a pool smell in the shower and a flat taste in your coffee. We put a carbon system on your main line so every tap runs cleaner. If you already own one, we check whether it can be fixed first.
What a whole-house carbon system does
Your water utility adds a disinfectant to keep water safe on the way to your home. That's a good thing. The downside is the taste and smell it leaves behind. A whole-house carbon system is a tank of activated carbon on your main water line. Water passes through it before it reaches any faucet, shower or appliance, and the carbon grabs the chlorine and the odor that comes with it.
Some utilities use chloramine instead of plain chlorine. Standard carbon handles chlorine well but struggles with chloramine. Catalytic carbon handles both. We find out which one your water has before we recommend a media, so you don't pay for a tank that can't do the job.
If you have a system already and it has stopped working, it often doesn't need to go. Many older tanks just need fresh media, a new control valve or a bypass that seals right. We tell you plainly when a repair is the smart move and when the unit is worn enough that new makes more sense.
What the job includes
A check of your water first
We test for chlorine or chloramine on site. If you have other questions, like lead from old pipes or staining, we can set up full water testing before anything gets installed.
The right carbon for your water
Standard or catalytic carbon, sized to your household's flow. A tank that's too small lets water rush past the carbon and your shower pressure drops.
Sediment prefilter
A simple cartridge ahead of the tank catches grit so the carbon lasts longer and doesn't clog early.
Bypass valve and clean plumbing
We install a bypass so you can keep water running during service. Connections are tight, labeled and easy to reach later.
Repair of existing systems
On units you already own, we look at the media, valve, O-rings and bypass. We replace what's worn and leave what still works.
Signs your home could use one
Pool smell in the shower
Hot water releases chlorine into the air. If the bathroom smells like a swimming pool, a carbon system will fix most of it.
Tap water tastes off
Coffee, tea and ice taking on a chemical taste is the most common reason people call us.
Dry skin and hair after showers
Some people notice their skin and hair feel better once the chlorine is out. Results vary, and we won't promise more than that.
An old system that quit working
If the smell came back, your carbon is likely spent. That's usually a media change, not a whole new unit.
Filters under every sink
If you're buying pitcher filters and faucet filters for several rooms, one system on the main line is often simpler.
How the day goes
- 1
We look at your setup
We find your main shutoff, check pipe size and test the water. Many homes have the line coming in through the garage, which makes for a clean install spot.
- 2
You get a straight answer
We explain what we'd do and why, in writing, line by line. If your current system can be fixed, that's what we recommend.
- 3
Install or rebuild
Water is off for a short stretch while we cut in the tank, prefilter and bypass. Most installs take part of a day. We protect the floor and work area.
- 4
Flush, test and clean up
New carbon gets flushed until the water runs clear. We test again so you can see the change, then haul away the old parts and packaging.
What moves the price
We don't quote over the phone without seeing your setup, because a few things change the number a lot. After we look, you get a written estimate with each part and the labor listed separately. Fixing a sound system usually costs less than replacing it, and we'll tell you when that's the case.
- Type of carbon
- Catalytic carbon for chloramine costs more than standard carbon. You only need it if your water calls for it.
- Tank size
- Bigger homes with more bathrooms need a larger tank to keep pressure up.
- Plumbing access
- An open garage wall is quick. A line in a tight closet or one that needs rerouting takes more time and parts.
- Repair versus new
- Fresh media and a new valve on a good tank is often the cheapest fix. A cracked tank or obsolete valve tips it toward replacement.
Questions we hear about carbon systems
Something not covered here? (972) 992-5114
Does whole-house carbon make my water safe to drink?
Your city water already meets drinking standards. Carbon improves taste and smell by removing chlorine. If you want extra treatment for drinking water, an under-sink reverse osmosis system pairs well with it.
How often does the carbon need changing?
It depends on how much water your home uses and how much disinfectant is in it. Many tanks go several years between media changes, and the sediment prefilter gets swapped more often. Our filter replacement and maintenance visits keep track of that for you.
Will it lower my water pressure?
A properly sized tank shouldn't cause a drop you'd notice. Pressure problems usually mean the tank is too small or the prefilter is clogged. Both are fixable.
Can you fix the system the last owner left?
Usually, yes. We check the tank, valve and seals. If the parts are still available and the tank is sound, we rebuild it instead of selling you a new one.
Does it soften water too?
No. Carbon doesn't remove hardness minerals. If you see scale, we'd test hardness first and only suggest a water softener if the numbers support it.
Better-tasting water at every tap
Call and we will test your water for free and give you a free quote.