Installing a water filtration system in your home is one of the smartest and most cost-effective upgrades you can make. From removing harmful contaminants to improving the taste of your tap water, the benefits of a water filtration system go far beyond hydration. Afterall, it isn’t called the ‘elixir of life’ for nothing! Whether you're concerned about your family’s health, looking to extend the life of your appliances, or simply want better quality water, filtration is a clear solution. At Maintracts, we help homeowners across London and the surrounding areas to enjoy cleaner, safer, and more reliable water—right from the tap. In this blog, we explain everything you need to know about water filtration systems and why you should use them.
What Is a Water Filtration System and How Does It Work?
A water filtration system is designed to remove impurities and contaminants from your tap water. These systems use various technologies, such as activated carbon, reverse osmosis, ultraviolet light, or ion exchange to treat water at different levels.
- Activated Carbon Filters remove chlorine, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and improve taste.
- Reverse Osmosis Systems push water through a semi-permeable membrane, removing up to 99% of dissolved solids.
- UV Filters kill bacteria and viruses without chemicals.
- Ion Exchange Filters reduce hardness by replacing calcium and magnesium with sodium or potassium ions.
Systems can be installed at a single tap (point-of-use) or at your main water supply (whole-house filtration).
10 Key Benefits Of Installing A Water Filtration System
Improves Taste And Smell Of Tap Water. Tap water can carry an unpleasant taste or odour due to chlorine or other treatment chemicals. A filtration system eliminates these, leaving your water fresh, clean, and more enjoyable.
Removes Harmful Contaminants. Filtered water is free from common impurities found in UK tap water, such as lead, chlorine, pesticides, nitrates, microplastics, and bacteria. This means you’re drinking safer, healthier water every time you fill your glass.
Protects Your Plumbing And Appliances. Hard water can cause all sorts of damage such as limescale buildup, which damages pipes, boilers, and household appliances like kettles and washing machines. A filtration system reduces scale, protecting your plumbing infrastructure and prolonging the lifespan of appliances.
Promotes Better Health And Hydration. Clean, contaminant-free water is essential for hydration and general wellbeing. Many households report improvements in skin condition, digestion, and energy levels after switching to filtered water – perfect for our health-conscious generation.
Saves Money in the Long Run. While there’s an initial investment, water filtration systems reduce bottled water use, appliance repair costs, and energy inefficiencies caused by scale buildup.
Environmentally Friendly Alternative. If you are an eco-conscious homeowner, you’ll be pleased to know that switching from bottled water to a filtration system drastically cuts down plastic waste and your carbon footprint.
Ideal for Sensitive Skin Or Allergies. If you suffer from sensitive skin, or other skin conditions such as eczema or psoriasis, filtered water will make a huge difference with reducing irritation and providing relief. Fewer chemicals and cleaner water mean gentler showers and baths.
Convenience and Peace of Mind. With a home filtration system, clean water is available 24/7 from every tap—there’s no need to rely on jugs, bottled water, or last-minute filter replacements.
Whole-House Coverage Options. Whole-house water filtration ensures that every outlet, from your kitchen sink to your bathroom shower, provides purified water. It’s ideal for larger families or households with high water usage.
Increases Property Value. As a desirable choice for eco-minded and health-savvy buyers, a professionally installed filtration system can add long-term value to your property.
Ready to upgrade your water quality? Get in touch with Maintracts today to explore your water filtration options.
Types of Water Filtration systems for Homes
- Reverse Osmosis: Best for drinking water, removes most contaminants.
- Activated Carbon: Improves taste and removes chlorine and VOCs.
- UV Purification: Kills bacteria and viruses.
- Ion Exchange: Softens water and removes hardness minerals.
- Sediment Filters: Remove dirt, sand, and rust particles.
Whole-House vs Under-Sink Water Filters: Which Is Right for You?
| Feature | Whole-House Filter | Under-Sink Filter |
| Coverage | Entire home (all taps and appliances) | Single tap (usually kitchen) |
| Use | Best for families, high water use, poor water quality | Best for drinking and cooking water only |
| Installation cost | Higher | Lower |
| Space Requirement | Requires space near main water supply | Fits under kitchen sink |
| Maintenance | May involve more complex servicing | Simpler, easier to replace filters |
Consider your water quality, household size, and budget to choose the right option.
Do UK Homes Really Need Water Filtration Systems?
While UK tap water is generally safe, it still contains treatment chemicals, sediment, and limescale, especially in hard water regions. Our plumbers will tell you how homes in London and the South East are particularly affected and how filtration systems work wonders in addressing these issues and provide added peace of mind too.
Common Myths About Water Filtration
"Tap water is perfectly safe." True, but it may still contain trace contaminants and chlorine.
"Bottled water is better." Often, bottled water is just filtered tap water.
"Filters remove all minerals." Most systems preserve essential minerals.
"Filtration is expensive." Costs are offset by long-term savings and fewer repairs.
Things to Consider Before You Buy a Water Filter
With health and wellness trending across social media, water filters are becoming increasingly popular—especially among young professionals. One of the most talked-about options, and one that our plumbers are increasingly coming across, is Water2, co-owned by survival expert Bear Grylls. The brand uses an advanced activated carbon system and has built a reputation for being both stylish and health-aware. But just because it’s trending, doesn’t mean it’s the right fit for every home.
People seem to be just buying it (Water2), but when our plumbers turn up, the homeowner often has no space for it—and all sorts of problems.
Things a homeowner needs to consider before buying any water filter is: space in the cupboard or wherever you’re proposing to put it; check pipework that you’ve got is suitable and accessible; and make sure there is a cold water pipe to connect onto. If that cold water pipe is all hidden behind kitchen units and you’ve got to cut out half of them to get to it, you might want to consider whether or not it’s worthwhile.
The rising popularity of filters like the Bear Grylls-backed Water2 is heavily driven by health trends, they accompany the adverts with lots of information about chemicals in water and how bad they are for you—so people become obsessive about it. Young people nowadays are quite excessive about their health and looking after themselves.
With so many options on the market, it’s vital to think about practicalities as well as popularity. Before you buy, ask:
- Do I have enough space to install this filter?
- Is my existing pipework suitable?
- Will installation be straightforward, or will it require major alterations?
- Am I choosing the best filter for my actual water needs—or just what’s trending online?
Don’t forget, Maintracts is here to help you choose and install a system that fits your home and lifestyle, without the guesswork.
Installing a Water Filtration System with Maintracts
At Maintracts, our experienced plumbing and heating engineers offer professional installation of water filtration systems tailored to your property. We provide:
- In-home water quality assessments
- Help choosing the right system
- Full installation and maintenance
- Ongoing support from trusted specialists
Frequently Asked Questions About Water Filtration Systems
A whole-house filtration system is fitted at the point where the mains water enters your home—usually near your stopcock or water meter. This location allows the system to treat all the water flowing into your home, including water used in your bathroom, kitchen, washing machine, and boiler. Installations typically take place in a utility room, garage, or under the stairs—wherever your main water supply is accessible.
While UK tap water is generally safe, it often contains chlorine, limescale, sediment, and microplastics—especially in hard water areas like London and the South East. A filtration system helps remove these impurities, improving taste, protecting your plumbing, and offering greater peace of mind for your family’s health.
Under-sink filters clean water at one tap (usually the kitchen) and are ideal for drinking and cooking water.
Whole-house filters treat all incoming water, so every tap and appliance benefits from cleaner, softer water. These are better suited for families, allergy sufferers, or those in hard water areas.
That depends on the system type and water quality, but most filters need replacing every 6–12 months. Some systems have filter change indicators to let you know when it's time. Maintracts can set up a maintenance schedule for hassle-free servicing.
Yes. Many whole-house systems include water softening or descaling features that reduce calcium and magnesium—the minerals responsible for limescale. This helps protect your boiler, dishwasher, and taps from build-up and prolongs appliance life.
Running costs are minimal—mostly replacement filters and the occasional maintenance check. Most households find the long-term savings (on bottled water, appliance repairs, and energy bills) outweigh the initial investment.
Some under-sink units are designed for DIY installation, but we recommend using a qualified plumber—especially for whole-house systems. At Maintracts, we ensure every system is professionally installed and fully compatible with your pipework and layout.
The cost varies depending on the type of system and your home’s plumbing setup. On average:
Under-sink filters start from around £100–£300 (plus installation). Whole-house systems typically range between £500–£2,000, depending on capacity, features, and filter type.
Keep in mind that installation and ongoing filter replacements will add to the total cost. At Maintracts, we offer transparent pricing, free consultations, and tailored recommendations to suit your home and budget.
Absolutely. The benefits of a water filtration system include better health, improved appliance performance, lower long-term costs, and a reduced environmental impact. Whether you want to enhance your home’s water quality or protect your family’s wellbeing, Maintracts is here to help.
Find out more about our plumbing services or contact our plumbing experts today to find the perfect system for your home and be one step closer to enjoying the benefits of cleaner water.
Oliver Osmore has been part of Maintracts Services since 2001, following in his father’s footsteps. As Managing Director, he ensures the company runs smoothly, supports customers and engineers, and thrives on solving complex problems others can’t. Highly organised and approachable, Oliver works closely with customers to deliver tailored solutions, drawing on his extensive experience in plumbing, heating, and electrical services to resolve enquiries efficiently.
Since 1974, Maintracts Services has built a reputation for high-quality installation, maintenance, and repairs. Under Oliver’s leadership, the company remains committed to professionalism, safety, and customer satisfaction.