Frequently Asked Questions

A: As before, it depends.

Without specific data, providing a solution that works is impossible. Standard Point of Entry (POE) and Point of Use (POU) selection is driven by four factors: budget, available space, performance requirements, and additional contaminant capabilities.

When dealing with lead specifically, for instance, the technology required varies based on the goal:

• Reducing lead levels requires less featured (and lower cost) technology than total lead elimination.

• Without knowing the exact levels from a water test, you run the risk of quoting an over-priced system. While it may not impact the client’s budget — it can turn away potential customers who would have agreed to a more appropriately spec’d solution.

The bottom line: Get the site specs and the test results first.

Once you have those, reach out to us, and we’ll help you find a high-performance, cost-effective filter that protects both your customer and your quality of work.

A: It’s important to clarify what the customer actually expects.

All true water softeners use ion-exchange, which requires a regenerant like sodium chloride (read: salt) or potassium chloride. "Salt-free" options are not softeners; they are scale inhibitors which work differently and deliver different results.

Softeners physically remove hard water minerals, while scale inhibitors prevent those minerals from building up.

Here’s how they compare:

* Assuming tank-type system

The main questions:

• What is the actual hardness level of the water?

• Does your customer care most about the feeling of cleaner water and spotless dishes, or is their priority simply avoiding salt and electricity?

The answers determine which option makes the most sense for the job.

A: While the specifics depend on the make and model, you'll need to look into several areas to ensure the filter functions correctly.

Every control panel is slightly different, and understanding how to set, reset, or modify these settings is crucial to optimum functioning. Be sure to identify:

• Media loading procedure: If the filter uses accessible media, following the correct loading procedure is critical. Without media, the unit doesn’t filter anything — it’d just be a giant water holding tank.

• Programming: You need to know how to set the clock, backwash frequency, and backwash time.

• Initial backwash cycle: Once the system is fully installed, perform an initial backwash. This purges air from the system and flushes out any media fines.

These steps get most systems up and running. If the setup or operation is more complex than this, MetroFilter Sales can walk you through the technical requirements to get the system running smoothly.

A: MetroFilter Sales provides testing for wholesale partners with private wells. This helps you select the right water softeners, acid neutralizers, iron filters, as well as other equipment.

For municipal water or more detailed testing:

• TapScore (mytapscore.com) — User-friendly reports, straightforward process

• National Testing Labs (watercheck.com) — More thorough, detailed results

A: RO systems vary based on a few factors:

• Usage rate: How much filtered water do they actually need daily? This determines tank size or tankless.

• Budget: RO ranges from $1,200-$3,200, depending on features

• Installation space: Under-sink vs. whole-house are the choices

• Water quality starting point: What contaminants are you filtering out?

Once you know those details, here are the leading brands we recommend:

** Sanitary Quick Change (SQC) Cartridges (CTGS)

Not sure? Contact MetroFilter Sales — we'll help you match the right system to the actual need.