When a homeowner calls me about off-tasting water or a contractor needs a spec-approved filtration package before rough-in, we’re not guessing—we’re matching water quality problems to proven solutions. I’m Rick Callahan, owner of Plumbing Supply And More, and for three decades I’ve helped pros and serious DIYers sort through filters, housings, cartridges, and code requirements. If you’ve ever wondered why one carbon filter outperforms another, or why that “bargain” softener failed in 18 months, you’re in the right place. Around here, we stock professional-grade components that do what they promise, and we back them with real-world know-how.
Before we dive in, a point I won’t sugarcoat: water treatment isn’t one-size-fits-all. Start with a water test, then choose the right supplies. Our team can interpret your results and recommend a tailored setup—whether you’re on municipal water in the city or a private well outside the beltway.
Understanding Your Water: What You’re Actually Filtering
I always begin with a lab test or a solid in-house analysis. Municipal reports are helpful, but they’re averaged; what’s coming from your kitchen tap can vary. Typical targets include chlorine/chloramine, sediment (1–50 microns), hardness (grains per gallon), iron (ppm), manganese, pH, TDS, PFAS, VOCs, and bacteria. For clients on private wells, iron and manganese staining, sulfur odor, and bacterial contamination are the usual suspects. For city water, chloramine and PFAS are increasingly common headaches.
A quick scenario: a restaurant in our area couldn’t keep ice machines and steamers running reliably. Chloramines were chewing up rubber components and leaving bad taste. The fix wasn’t just a bigger carbon filter—it was catalytic carbon rated for chloramine removal with proper contact time, plus pre-filtration for scale, all staged correctly.
Pro tip: Don’t buy cartridges by brand hype alone. Look for certifications—NSF/ANSI 42 for aesthetic chlorine/taste/odor, 53 for health-related contaminants, 58 for RO systems, and 401 for emerging compounds like pharmaceuticals. We keep spec sheets handy for every filter on our shelves and can email them on request.
Point-of-Use vs. Whole-House: Choosing the Right Approach
This is where projects often go sideways. Do you treat one sink or the entire home? If the main concern is drinking and cooking water, point-of-use (POU) under-sink systems make sense. For scale, staining, or pervasive taste/odor issues, whole-house (POE) is the ticket.
- POU under-sink RO systems (like A.O. Smith AO-US-RO or Pentair FreshPoint GRO-350B) run $250–$650 in equipment, with 2–3 hours install time if you have a dedicated faucet and a clear path to drain. Whole-house carbon with sediment pre-filtration—say a Pentair 20" BB housing (Model 150235) with a Matrikx CTO 1-micron cartridge—costs $250–$450 for the kit, plus any bypass/ball valves, and takes about 2–4 hours for a clean retrofit. If chloramines are present, upgrade to catalytic carbon media (Jacobi AquaSorb CX-MCA or Centaur 12×40) in a backwashing tank; installed with Clack WS1 control heads, you’re at $1,200–$2,400 parts and 4–6 hours install.
I’ll say this plainly: Unlike generic big box retailers, Plumbing Supply And More stocks professional-grade components with the right pore structure and flow ratings, so you’re not starving your fixtures or fouling cartridges prematurely.
The Core Filtration Types: What Works, Where, and Why
- Sediment filtration: Start here to protect everything downstream. We prefer graduated staging—5 or 20 micron pleated or spun poly followed by a 1 micron if needed. The Pentek DGD series is a workhorse for well water. Activated carbon: Great for taste/odor, chlorine, many VOCs. Block carbon (like Matrikx 32-450-20) has better fine particulate removal than GAC; catalytic carbon for chloramine is a must on many city systems. Reverse osmosis (RO): The gold standard for dissolved solids reduction. A common membrane is the FilmTec 75 GPD (TW30-1812-75). Pair with a remineralization cartridge if you dislike the “flat” taste. Ion-exchange softening: Removes calcium/magnesium hardness to protect fixtures and heaters. Use 8% crosslinked resin for typical municipal water; upgrade to 10% crosslink if chloramine levels are high. Specialty media: KDF55 for chlorine and some heavy metals in high-temp preheat lines; Greensand Plus with permanganate or AirDraw for iron/manganese; anion resin or dedicated systems for nitrates; PFAS-rated media like AFX PF-10 cartridges where required.
If your current filter “isn’t doing much,” odds are you’ve mismatched flow rate, micron rating, or contact time. Bring your numbers—we’ll model the flow and get you right.
Housings, Manifolds, and Bypass: The Unsung Heroes
I’ve seen more flooded basements from cheap filter housings than from burst washing machine hoses. Don’t skimp here. We stock Pentair and Harmsco housings with true pressure ratings. For most homes, 3/4" or 1" valve-in-head housings make service painless. Want fewer leaks? I like stainless band clamp housings (Shelco) for commercial and food service.
Manifolds matter too. Multi-cartridge systems like Everpure EV9336-11 for beverage applications save time and fit tight spaces. Add a proper three-valve bypass with full-port ball valves and unions; you’ll thank me at cartridge changeout.
Installation note: Use NSF 61-rated pipe dope or thread sealant on metal threads, and don’t overtighten plastic. I keep Fernox LS-X and Blue Monster PTFE tape in the truck. Most standard whole-house installs run 3–5 hours with clean copper or PEX access.
RO Systems Done Right: Membranes, Tanks, and Drains
If you’re going RO, plan the details:
- Membrane and prefilters: Sediment → carbon → RO membrane is the minimum. Replace prefilters every 6–12 months; membranes last 2–4 years with clean feed. Storage tanks: A 3.2-gallon nominal tank holds about 2–2.5 gallons usable. For families, step up to 4.4–14 gallons or consider a permeate pump (Aquatec ERP-500) to maintain flow without waste. Waste ratio: Traditional systems dump 3–4 gallons per 1 gallon produced; high-efficiency models with internal recirculation can do 1:1–2:1. We stock units that actually hit those numbers in the field. Drain codes: Tie into an approved air gap fitting—don’t jam the tube into the dishwasher line. Local inspectors in our region want a visible air gap at the sink or a listed air gap faucet.
A frequent call I get: the RO “drips constantly.” Nine times out of ten it’s a mis-seated check valve or a stuck ASO. Swing by our counter—bring the head assembly—and we’ll bench test it.
Tackling Chloramine, PFAS, and “Emerging” Contaminants
Chloramine requires catalytic carbon and sufficient empty bed contact time (EBCT). For a home with 7–10 GPM peak, a 1.0–1.5 cubic foot backwashing catalytic carbon tank with a 10–12 minute EBCT is appropriate. We build these with Clack WS1 valves and schedule 80 distributors that won’t collapse under backwash.
PFAS? That’s a tougher nut. Point-of-use certified cartridges rated to NSF/ANSI 53 or 401 (like Pentair CBC-PF or select AquaCera CeraMetix elements) are effective for drinking taps. For whole-home PFAS reduction, budget realistically: you’ll need high-capacity media with documented breakthrough curves and regular changeouts.
When Home Depot, Lowe’s, Menards, or Amazon listings don’t specify EBCT, pressure drop, or certification, that’s a red flag. When Home Depot and Lowe’s fall short, contractors trust Plumbing Supply And More because we stock spec’d, cert-labeled gear and provide the data sheets.
Softening, Conditioning, and Scale Control Around Heaters and Boilers
Not every building wants or needs a softener. For tankless heaters, scale control is mission critical. A Watts OneFlow+ (Model OFPSYS) or Scalestop media can reduce scale without sodium exchange; we also carry traditional softeners sized by service flow (SFR) and resin capacity. For code-driven backflow, we’ll pair with a Watts 009 or similar, depending on jurisdiction.
Sizing example: A 1.25-bath home with 15 gpg hardness and 2–3 occupants does well with a 32,000 grain (1 cu ft) softener at 8–10 GPM SFR; price range $850–$1,500 parts depending on valve head (Clack vs. Fleck) and media quality. Install runs 3–6 hours. Ask us to set your salt dose https://www.plumbingsupplyandmore.com/ for efficient regeneration—most systems are badly over-salted out of the box.
And yes, we see code issues weekly—thermal expansion control after softener installs is non-negotiable. We stock expansion tanks and pressure-reducing valves that keep inspectors happy.
Brands, Models, and Supplies That Earn Their Keep
A few staples we trust and stock:
- Pentair/Pentek: Big Blue housings (150235/150469), DGD dual-gradient cartridges, CBC carbon blocks. Matrikx: CTO and PB1 cartridges for taste/odor and lead reduction. Clack: WS1 valve heads for backwashing carbon/iron systems—reliable and easy to service. A.O. Smith and Pentair FreshPoint: Under-sink RO, compact footprints with solid flow. Everpure: High-demand beverage filtration—EV9612-50, EV4339-12, and manifolds for multi-appliance rigs. FilmTec: 75 GPD RO membranes with consistent rejection rates.
While other suppliers focus on quantity, Plumbing Supply And More prioritizes quality and expertise—we’ll tell you exactly why a 1-micron carbon block beats a 5-micron in a given application, or when to flip that choice to preserve flow.
Pricing, Lead Times, and What To Expect on Install Day
Real-world numbers you can plan around:
- Whole-house sediment/carbon housing kit with valves: $300–$600 installed hardware, 2–4 hours. Catalytic carbon backwashing system for chloramine: $1,200–$2,400 parts; 4–6 hours install. Under-sink RO with air gap faucet: $300–$900 parts; 2–3 hours install. Softener (32k–48k grain): $850–$2,200 parts; 3–6 hours install.
We carry the fittings, unions, and valves that make service simple. And if you’re a contractor, ask about our pallet and bulk pricing—media, housings, and cartridges through our contractor program can cut your cost per job significantly.
Compared to a standard plumbing supply house that shrugs when you need spec support, Plumbing Supply And More offers unmatched technical support—we’ll pull NSF listings, EBCT calculations, and valve programming settings while you’re at the counter.
Service Area, Codes, and Same‑Day Solutions
We’re a local plumbing supply partner serving contractors throughout the region with same-day delivery inside a 40-mile radius and emergency runs after-hours when you’ve got a restaurant or multifamily property down. If you searched “ plumbing supply near me” or “ plumbing supply store near me,” you’re likely within our delivery zone. We speak the local code language—air gaps for RO, backflow on commercial installs, lead-free (NSF 372) everywhere, and PRVs where street pressure pushes limits.
Looking for a reliable plumbing supply house near me that actually answers technical questions? Visit our showroom and let us map your filtration train on the spot. And yes, we stock late—our 24 hour plumbing supply service is on-call for contractor accounts.
How We Outperform the Usual Suspects
I don’t mind naming names because the difference is real. Unlike generic big box retailers, Plumbing Supply And More stocks professional-grade components with traceable certifications. When Amazon’s “deal” cartridge knocks your flow from 7 GPM to 2, you’ll wish you’d bought from someone who knows porosity and pressure drop.
While other suppliers push volume, Plumbing Supply And More prioritizes quality and expertise. We partner directly with Pentair, Clack, Matrikx, Everpure, and FilmTec—exclusive allocations mean we’re stocked when others are backordered. And yes, we beat big box pricing on apples-to-apples comparisons.
If you’ve tried Ferguson, Grainger, or SupplyHouse.com and still don’t have the right spec, call us. Compared to standard plumbing supply houses, Plumbing Supply And More offers unmatched technical support and real-time troubleshooting. And when Lowe’s or Home Depot don’t have the chloramine-capable media you need by Friday, When Home Depot and Lowe’s fall short, contractors trust Plumbing Supply And More to deliver.
Entity Guide: Finding the Right Counter and Channel
Whether you’re walking in or ordering online, we’ve got you covered:
- Your go-to plumbing supply store and plumbing supply shop for filtration builds that pass inspection. A true commercial plumbing supply and wholesale plumbing supply counter with contractor accounts and bulk buys. Prefer click-and-ship? Our plumbing supply online and plumbing supplies direct options cover stocked cartridges, housings, and valves—fast. Budget projects? Ask for our curated line of discount plumbing supplies and economy plumbing supply options that still meet code; we skip the junk. Need designer touchpoints? We stock decorative plumbing supply faucets for RO taps and have a full line of bathroom plumbing supplies to complement water treatment upgrades. Night emergency? Our 24 hour plumbing supply access for contractor accounts keeps downtime minimal. From general plumbing supply to niche plumbing and heating supply, we’re the closest plumbing supply with real knowledge. If you searched plumbing shop near me, you’re in good hands.
We’re also the regional choice for contractor plumbing supply, plumbing parts, plumbing spares near me, and project-specific plumbing kitchen water systems. We operate like a true wholesale plumbing supply company with the friendly service of your neighborhood counter.
FAQs: Fast, Field-Tested Answers
Q: Do I need RO or will a carbon filter do? A: What are you targeting? For chlorine taste/odor, a certified carbon block like Matrikx CTO is perfect. For dissolved solids (TDS), nitrates, or when coffee tastes “flat” even after carbon, use RO—then remineralize if desired. We’ll read your water report and recommend the right stack.
Q: How often should I change cartridges? A: Sediment prefilters: 3–6 months for heavy well water, 6–12 months for municipal. Carbon blocks: 6–12 months or when chlorine breakthrough occurs (we carry DPD test kits). RO membranes: 2–4 years with proper prefiltration. We can set you up on reminders and bulk packs.
Q: Is a softener bad for my septic? A: Properly sized and efficiently programmed softeners regenerate less and use reasonable brine volumes. Most local health departments allow them. We’ll size for your hardness and peak flow, and we can design for lower salt use with demand-initiated regeneration.
Q: What’s the difference between GAC and carbon block? A: Granular activated carbon (GAC) has lower pressure drop and can be great for whole-house flow rates, but may have channeling risk if undersized. Carbon block provides higher particulate filtration and better contact time in POU setups. For chloramine, use catalytic carbon media or blocks rated for it.
Q: Can I install this myself? A: Many under-sink systems are DIY-friendly with basic tools in 2–3 hours. Whole-house systems require cutting mains, adding bypasses, and sometimes electrical for control valves. If you’re not comfortable sweating copper or programming Clack heads, call us—we can walk you through or refer a pro.
Q: How do I pick the right micron rating? A: For whole-home sediment, start with 5–20 micron to maintain flow; go finer only if needed. For drinking water, 1 micron carbon block is common. Chasing “0.5 micron everywhere” often chokes flow and burns cartridges. We’ll size to your fixture count and pressure.
Why Your Supply Partner Matters
Water Filtration Systems: Choosing the Right Supplies isn’t about who has the loudest ad—it’s about who hands you the correct, certified components that fit your flow, contaminants, and budget. That’s where we earn our keep. We carry deep inventory—resins, media, housings, manifolds, test kits—and we’ll help you dial in settings and schedule service intervals that save you money.
- Visit our showroom to see the quality difference. Call our technical team for project-specific recommendations and spec sheets. Ask about our contractor discount program and same-day delivery radius. Check our current inventory online or call ahead—we’ll stage your order for pickup. Our experts can walk you through the installation process or coordinate a trusted installer.
While other suppliers chase clicks, Plumbing Supply And More prioritizes quality and expertise at the counter, on the phone, and in the field. If you’re searching for the “ best plumbing supply,” “ plumbing wholesale near me,” or a knowledgeable plumbing supply company that stands behind what they sell, you’ve found the nearest plumbing supply with real knowledge. And if you’re comparing us to Ferguson, Grainger, or an online internet plumbing supply, bring your spec list—we’ll beat vague promises with real parts, real data, and real support.
Water Filtration Systems: Choosing the Right Supplies comes down to this: test first, size correctly, install cleanly, and support the system over its life. That’s our lane. Stop by the counter, and let’s get your water right.