7 Problems with Tank-Style Water Systems
Here are 7 good reasons to choose Kind. See what makes us different from our competitors.
- Difficult and Costly Installation
- Pressure Loss & Flow Rate
- Difficult Filter Changes
- Carbon Fines or Carbon Dust
- Bacteria Growth in “GAC” Loose Carbon Bed
- Only Filters Chlorine
- Channeling
1. Difficult and Costly Installation
The Problem
Tank-style filters can often require multiple plumber visits resulting in multiple trip charges due to the startup requirements before installing. They must be filled up with water and left to pre-soak for 48 hours then once soaked they require multiple backwashing and flushing attempts to reduce the amount of carbon fines and dust that will enter the home’s plumbing system. Once flushed and ready for installation they generally have 4-6 plumbing connections to plumb into the home’s main water line.
- Kind Solution: Simple Installation
The Kind systems come ready for use. If you are installing it yourself or you’re going to hire a plumber or handyman, it is a simple installation and our patented in-line design only has 2 connections saving you a lot of time and money.
2. Pressure Loss & Flow Rate
The Problem
Tank-style filters are filled with loose granular carbon that is full of carbon fines and dust which can cause pressure loss and flow rate issues if the carbon media is not properly soaked and flushed. High flow water using devices, such as bathtubs and washing machines can cause loose carbon media to “float” to the top of the tank shutting down the flow of water. “Floating” is a common problem with tank-style water filters. Tank-style filter systems also have to be sized based on 1-3 bathrooms or 4-6 bathrooms in order to get the flow rate or gallons per minute (GPM) required.
- Kind Solution: No Pressure Drop and Highest Flow Rate
The Kind systems handle 1-6 bathrooms and have a flow rate of 15 gallons per minute with no detectable pressure drop. So whether you have a 3 bathroom or a 6 bathroom home you will only need to purchase one system. For example, if you currently live in a 1-3 bathroom home and decide to move in a few years to a larger home that has 4-6 bathrooms the Kind system will work perfectly. Your Kind system is easily moved from home to home or you can leave the system for the new homeowner with a full warranty because our warranties are transferable.
Most water applications in your home (showers, faucets, toilets, etc.) use on average, 2-3 gallons per minute with the exception of bathtubs and washing machines that use 3-5 gallons per minute. Having a system with a higher flow rate will allow you to use multiple water-using devices in your home without experiencing a pressure drop.
3. Difficult Filter Changes
The Problem
Tank-style filter media changes require the system to be disconnected from the plumbing and completely emptied of all loose carbon media in the tank. When filled with water the tanks can weigh over 100lbs and can be difficult to handle for the fittest of individuals. Once the tank is emptied, you will then take a 30 to 50-pound bag of loose carbon media and pour it into the tank using a funnel. After the tank has been filled then you will fill it full of water and let it soak for 48 hours and then you will flush the carbon media from both the inlet and outlet to reduce the amount of carbon fines and dust. Once those procedures are completed then you have to bring it back into the home and reconnect to the plumbing. Note: This type of filter media change leaves you without filtered water for a minimum of 48 hours.
- Kind Solution: Easy Filter Changes
Changing the filters on the Kind systems takes minutes not days, simply unscrew the filter housing and replace the filter, it’s that easy!
4. Carbon Fines or Carbon Dust
The Problem
What are carbon fines or carbon dust? Tank-style filters use loose granular activated coal-based carbon (GAC) that is poured into the tank with a funnel. The issue with that is it is filled with millions of carbon fines and dust. Once a tank-style filter is connected to the home for use, the carbon fines and dust will now show up in your drinking water, toilets, tubs, laundry, and in a lot of cases it clogs the faucet aerators shutting down the flow of water. The problem is that you are unaware of this issue until after you have already purchased and installed the system. Most companies that sell these tank-style filters will tell you to pre-soak the tank for 48 hours and flush the “black water” prior to installation to attempt to reduce the amount of carbon fines and dust from entering your home, but it is impossible to flush out all of the carbon fines and dust from inside the tank and carbon media in such a short amount of time. We have found that carbon fines, or carbon dust, can be a significant customer concern.
- Kind Solution: Virtually No Carbon Fines or Dust
Kind systems utilize catalytic activated coconut carbon which is solid block technology. Solid block technology, because of its static composition, produces minimal carbon fines at start-up, thereby minimizing the need for backwashing or flushing. This also virtually eliminates carbon fines during the ongoing operation of the filter … Problem solved!
5. Bacteria Growth in “GAC” Loose Carbon Bed
The Problem
Tank-style filters have a loose bed of carbon (GAC) that can provide ample room for bacteria colonization. To combat that companies that sell tank-style filters will add a “Media Guard” which is actually KDF, a copper-zinc alloy to the tank to try and inhibit bacteria growth inside the carbon media. The problem with that is copper and zinc are HEAVY METALS and if the pH of the incoming water supply was to drop below 7 or neutral it could possibly leach into your drinking water.
- Kind Solution: Carbon Block Technology
A further advantage of Kind catalytic activated coconut carbon block technology over GAC is that the pore size of the block can be controlled to a small enough size to virtually eliminate bacterial growth inside the filter. Overall, our carbon block technology is a better choice in water filtration applications because it is highly effective in removing contaminants, compact size, use of renewable resources, and resistance to bacterial growth.
- Kind Solution: Filters Both Chlorine and Chloramine
6. Only Filters Chlorine
The Problem
Most tank-style filters on the market today utilize loose granular activated coal-based carbons that only have the ability to filter chlorine. In most cases, you will have to purchase a separate filter system just to filter chloramines costing you an additional $800-$1000+.
The Kind filtration systems use a high-grade catalytic activated coconut carbon that is solid block technology. Our carbon block technology filters both chlorine and chloramine giving you the best possible filtration from every tap in your home. Local cities and municipalities often use both chlorine and chloramine throughout the year for disinfection so picking the filtration system that addresses both chemicals is very important.
