Coarse water filter in front of the meter: selection and maintenance

Water flowing into our taps, filter systems, expensive plumbing equipment, as a rule, goes through multi-stage preliminary cleaning, but due to the deterioration of water supply systems, there are many mechanical impurities (sand, rust, products oxidation, etc.). That is why the first step in the purification of tap water used by your family should be a rough water filter in front of the meter.

Important! Water consumption meters do not contain self-protection and filter elements, easily fail and have strict installation regulations. Therefore, the filters installed in front of the water meter are an indispensable element of the water supply system.

The coarse water filter has a barrier function, primary purification of the stream from large particles and is selected based on the following parameters:

• throughput, cross-sectional diameter and type of pipe connection;
• permissible pressure and temperature;
• degree of filtration and the amount of solid impurities.

The main types of primary cleaning devices

The coarse filter is a mechanical device presented today in several ways:

1. Strainer
2. Cartridge.

The strainer is the most used coarse water purifier in front of the meter in apartments. This device consists of two pipes, one of which serves as a sump and contains a grid with small cells measuring 20-500 microns, which serves as a means for filtering. Such devices can be direct (for installation on horizontally located sections of water pipes) or oblique (for vertical installation).

Mesh filtering devices, in turn, are divided into several subspecies according to the method of maintenance:

• Without flushing (also called "mud collectors"). This type of product needs manual cleaning.
• Backwash. Type of filter system with automatic cleaning (way to supply water in the opposite direction), which is not necessary to be disassembled.

Cartridge filter It is a container for special replaceable cartridges, in which the process of liquid purification takes place. Such devices are capable of retaining particles ranging in size from 0.5 to 30 microns and are used in systems with a smaller flow of water. A system of this kind needs a mandatory periodic change of filter cartridges.

If the quality of the water entering the apartment is too low, sometimes it is necessary to install both types of rough cleaning devices - at the initial stage, set strainer, and then cartridge filter, thus increasing the service life of devices and equipment, while reducing the frequency of filter maintenance systems.

Installation and maintenance of the coarse filter

You can install and clean the filtration devices yourself, since there are no instructions and decisions on their mandatory sealing.

We should not forget about the availability of free access and sufficient space necessary to install and maintain filtration systems and meters.

The installation process of the filter device is divided into several stages:

• To begin with, it is necessary to assemble a design consisting of a shut-off valve for supplying water to the apartment, the filter itself, a meter and a check valve. It is important to monitor the tightness of the connection of all elements.

• Then, a portion equal in length to the aforementioned component is cut out in the pipes, and a thread is cut for its connection.
• Next, the filter / counter system is screwed into the pipe using an adjustable wrench and must be checked for correct assembly and tightness by supplying water to the resulting system.

Important! During the installation of the filter, it is necessary to make sure that the direction of the water coincides with the indicators of its movement on the device body and the sump is directed down.

If the installation of a filtration system is a process that requires special knowledge and skills, then with information on how to clean the filter independently, even an inexperienced owner can figure it out, and the indicator of the need for cleaning the device will be the pressure of water from cranes.

How to clean the strainer (direct or oblique):

In order to clean the filter device, you will need:

• containers for draining waste and washing parts;
• adjustable wrench;
• rust remedy;
• plumbing FUM tape.

The device is cleaned as follows:

• Access to the system is blocked.
• Using an adjustable wrench, the lid of the filtration device is removed (do not forget to first put a container for draining waste).

• A mesh is removed from the device, which must be washed and cleaned. An ordinary toothbrush will help you with this. If damage is found in the filter screen, it will need to be replaced.
• A clean (new) mesh returns to its place, the thread is sealed with an FUM tape. It is also worth replacing the gasket under the filter cover.

• Using an adjustable wrench, the device is assembled in the reverse order.
• Water supply is restored and system operability is checked.

How to clean the cartridge (cartridge) filter:

To clean such a device, you need the following set:

• containers for washing the cartridge and draining waste;
• replaceable cartridge (if necessary);
• special key.

Procedure for the cartridge filter:

• water supply to the apartment is blocked;
• using a wrench, the clamp nut is unscrewed and the filter flask is removed (after substituting a container for draining water from the system);
• the cartridge removed from the device is washed, the cartridge changes if necessary;
• the device is assembled in the reverse order and twisted with a key;
• water supply is restored and the operation of the system is checked.