A Sacramento Plumber Breaks It Down

Walk into a home improvement store or search online — and suddenly, you’re looking at dozens of water filter types.
Carbon filters. Reverse osmosis. Ion exchange. Whole house vs under sink. Pitchers. Softeners.

Which one do you actually need?
And how do you know it’s the right one for your home in Sacramento?

As someone who installs water filters across the region, here’s how I explain the options to my customers — in plain English, not chemistry class.

First — What’s in Your Water?

In Sacramento, most homes use treated municipal water. But that doesn’t mean it’s “pure.”

What you might find in your tap:

• Chlorine or chloramine (used to disinfect — can taste or smell strong)
• Sediment (rust, dirt, or pipe scale — especially in older homes)
• Hard water minerals (calcium, magnesium — cause buildup)
• Trace metals (lead from older pipes or fixtures)
• Pesticides or organic compounds (in well systems or older mains)

I usually recommend doing a simple water test first — or tell me your concerns (taste, skin dryness, white spots, etc.) and I’ll guide you.

What Filter Do You Actually Need?

Here’s a breakdown I give my customers:

1. Activated Carbon Filters

Removes: Chlorine, bad taste, odor, some VOCs
Best for: Improving taste/smell, removing basic chemical treatment
Found in: Faucet filters, pitchers, under-sink units
“I want better tasting water without going full system.” — Common client ask

2. Sediment Filters

Removes: Sand, dirt, rust
Best for: Older pipes, visible particles, prep before other filters
Often the first stage in multi-filter systems
I install these a lot in homes with orange water or flaky buildup

3. Reverse Osmosis (RO) Systems

Removes: Almost everything (dissolved solids, metals, nitrates)
Best for: People concerned with purity, health, or immune issues
Wastes some water during process
Usually installed under sink with separate faucet
“My kid has kidney issues — I want the cleanest possible water.” — Real Sacramento case

4. Whole-House Systems

Filters: All water before it reaches your faucets
Best for: Protecting appliances, skin, and plumbing
Usually combo of sediment + carbon + optional softener
Often used after home remodels or when moving into older homes

5. Water Softeners

Removes: Calcium & magnesium (hardness)
Best for: Preventing scale, keeping laundry soft, protecting fixtures
Does NOT purify — just softens I always warn: “If your water tastes off, softener won’t fix that — it just removes minerals.”

6. UV or Specialty Filters

Kills bacteria and viruses
Best for: Well systems or immune-sensitive households
Often used in rural homes

What I Recommend Most in Sacramento

In 80% of homes I visit, this combo works best:

• Whole-house sediment + carbon filter for all incoming water
• Under-sink RO system for drinking and cooking water
• Optional softener if your home has high hardness levels

This way, you protect your plumbing and appliances — and still get clean, great-tasting water from the tap.

What We Do at Golden Valley Plumbing

When we install water filtration, we:

• Test your water or review your concerns
• Explain your options in plain English
• Help you choose a system that fits your home and budget
• Install and maintain the system properly
• Show you how to change filters or set up automatic service

Not sure what system to get? Call Golden Valley Plumbing — and we’ll build a system that makes sense, not just looks fancy on the box.

Final Word

There’s no “best” water filter — only what’s best for you.

Let’s figure out what your water needs, what your home needs, and what your family wants — and make sure you drink with peace of mind.