Water Treatment Installation Guides

An under-sink reverse osmosis system gives you bottled-water quality from the tap. The install looks complicated with all the tubing, but it's really just connecting a few color-coded lines: cold water supply in, drain line to the sink drain, and clean water out to a dedicated faucet. Most RO systems come with everything you need, including the faucet. A confident DIYer can have this running in an afternoon.

A UV disinfection system kills bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms in your water using ultraviolet light. It's chemical-free, adds nothing to the water, and changes nothing about the taste. UV is essential for homes on well water (which isn't treated by a municipal system) and provides an extra layer of protection for anyone concerned about waterborne pathogens. The install is straightforward -- it's an inline unit that connects to the main supply with an electrical plug.

Hard water -- water with high mineral content, mainly calcium and magnesium -- leaves scale on fixtures, spots on dishes, and reduces the life of water heaters and appliances. A water softener uses ion exchange to swap those hardness minerals for sodium (salt). The result is soft water that's easier on your plumbing, your skin, and your appliances. Installation is manageable for a DIYer, but it involves plumbing, a drain connection, and an electrical outlet.

A whole-house filter treats every drop of water in your home -- every faucet, shower, and appliance. It installs on the main supply line, right after the main shutoff and before it branches to fixtures. The filter type depends on what's in your water: sediment, chlorine, iron, or a combination. Getting a water test first tells you exactly what you need to target.