Installing an Under Sink Filter

A simple filter can reduce the amount of sediment in tap water and improve the water's odor and taste.

Local water conditions vary, so check with a home center or hardware store to see which filter will work best for you. Most carbon-based units make water more palatable.

If your water is excessively hard, have a water softener company install and perhaps maintain a water softener.

The unit shown here purifies all the cold water that runs through a kitchen faucet. Also available is a unit that has its own faucet for a separate source of filtered drinking water.

For an easy-to-install alternative, consider a faucet-mounted water filter. Some purify all the water flowing through the spout, while others have a separate valve that allows you to choose filtered or unfiltered water. Both screw onto the faucet in place of the aerator.

Prestart Checklist

Time
An hour or two

Tools
Adjustable wrench, drill, screwdriver, hacksaw or PVC saw, tubing cutter, groove-joint pliers

Skills
Attaching with screws, cutting pipe, and making simple connections

Prep
Add a tee and stop valve to the cold water supply; clear out the cabinet under the sink

Materials
Water purifier, perhaps extra parts for connections