When it comes to the world of water filtration, carbon filters are one of the best options for any home, but they do have a few drawbacks. Despite improving water quality, carbon filtration has a few minor disadvantages. These disadvantages may not overshadow the benefits of carbon water filters, but it helps to understand what they are still.
Since 2007, we've accumulated knowledge on everything from the effectiveness of carbon filtration to the drawbacks of having a carbon filter installed in a home. At Monkey Wrench Plumbing, Heating & Air, we understand the importance of educating homeowners on the good as much as downsides of a water filtration system so that they can feel more confident about their carbon filter.
A carbon water filter has the following disadvantages,
- Removes some but not all of the contaminants
- Not effective in removing dissolved particles
- Routine maintenance required
By the end of this article, you'll gain insider knowledge into these carbon filter disadvantages and learn ways to address these drawbacks. This newfound insight will place you in a better position to decide if a carbon filter is right for you.
Let's jump right in!
What Are the Disadvantages of Carbon Filters
The disadvantages of carbon filters can be broken down into two categories, routine maintenance and the inability to filter out every single contaminant found in water. These downsides may not outweigh the benefits of carbon filters but check out this article for a more in-depth comparison between the pros and cons of carbon water filtration.
Carbon filter drawbacks can be tied to its design. These filters are cylindrical and use a process called adsorption that attracts certain impurities in water. Yes, it attracts some contaminants, but not all of them, which we'll examine in the following section.
Carbon Filters Do Not Remove All Water Contaminants
As mentioned in the previous section, carbon filters are highly effective at removing 90% to 99% of specific contaminants, but it doesn't target every single impurity in water. It is almost impossible for any water filtration system to have a 100% efficiency rating. Carbon water filters are excellent at removing chlorine, pesticides, herbicides, hydrogen sulfide (responsible for the rotten egg smell in water), and a couple of other contaminants.
It will not, however, eliminate the following common impurities.
- Bacteria: Despite county-wide efforts to disinfect drinking water, there's a small probability that bacteria can form and linger in the water as it enters homes across Los Angeles and the surrounding areas. Some bacteria not targeted by carbon filtration include E. coli and Salmonella. These and other bacteria can cause adverse health effects such as vomiting and upset stomach.
- Viruses: The chances of encountering viruses in water are low thanks to modern water treatment plants, but they can still contaminate tap water. Some viruses include Norovirus and Hepatitis A, both harmful to people.
- Heavy metals: Common heavy metals in water include mercury, lead, arsenic, and copper. Outdated plumbing systems and industrial sources are some of the ways these metals contaminate water. Some carbon filters may reduce these heavy metals in water but not actually eliminate them.
The chances of any of these impurities showing up in drinking water are very low, but it's ideal to have peace of mind that a water filter can prevent them from being consumed. Even though the carbon filter's adsorption process doesn't attract these contaminants, tap water can still be filtered or purified to ensure it is impurities-free.
UV light water filtration is one of the most effective ways to kill any lingering viruses and bacteria lurking in the water. This filter can be installed alongside a carbon filter for multiple water filtration options. One of those options includes the best water purification system that effectively removes 99.9% of contaminants in the water is a reverse osmosis system.
Besides the contaminants mentioned above, sediment is another impurity that carbon filters do not specialize in removing.
Dissolved Solids in Water Not Removed by Carbon Filters
Carbon filters are not able to filter out dissolved solids. Also known as sediment, these contaminants are microscopic physical particles found in water that can give it a cloudy appearance.
Without the aid of a sediment filter, carbon water filtration can not remove the following impurities,
- Rust
- Sand
- Soil
- Clay
- Dirt
A carbon filter cannot effectively remove any other dissolved physical solids. The adsorption process used by carbon filtration doesn't attract these contaminants. Instead, a specialized filter with tiny pores is required.
The sediment filter allows water to pass through the pores but stops the dissolved physical contaminants from entering and remaining in the water. Luckily, some carbon filters can come with a sediment pre-filter. This ensures that sediment is removed from the water and prevents it from possibly clogging up the carbon filter.
Carbon Water Requires Maintenance to Avoid Harboring Bacteria
Without routine care and maintenance, carbon filters are prone to bacteria buildup. Some contaminants building up on the carbon filter are rich in nutrients, making it an ideal setting for bacteria to grow.
The pathogenic bacteria may not pose a health risk but can affect the taste and smell of water. The best way to prevent this from happening is to stay on top of carbon filter maintenance.
Carbon filter maintenance includes routinely cleaning the filter if it is reusable. If the filter isn't reusable, it must be replaced often, depending on its size. Smaller filters may require more replacements than whole-house carbon filtration systems because smaller surface areas are more likely to get worn out faster from filtering contaminants.
Is A Carbon Filter Right for My Home?
We broke down each disadvantage of carbon filtration so you can get a clearer picture of what you may expect with a carbon filter. While carbon filters have a few drawbacks, everyone's experience with them differs, and only you can decide if a carbon filter is a good fit for you. Now that you know each disadvantage, you can determine if carbon filters suit you and your home.
For over 15 years, we've worked to gain a deeper understanding of carbon water filtration. Throughout that time, we've learned that a few drawbacks may arise that homeowners should be aware of.
If you want to speak with a technician about carbon water filters, book an appointment using one of the buttons below or use our water filtration scheduler.
Carbon water filters are ideal in any home, but their prices vary. Check out this article for a cost breakdown of carbon filters so you can prepare a budget in case you want one.
