Undersink Water Filter

[fred1949]

I now have a undersink water filter (LaPure) & I am not that happy with it. It doesn't seem to be doing a good filtering job. Maybe it's just me. Would you please recommend a good quality, efficiant undersink water filter. Oh by the way I ordered the torch head(19040 Bernzamatic. I haven't got it yet.

Thank you very much,
Fred

[LazyPup]

While all water filters can be said to filter the water the truth of the matter is that different water conditions require differing types of filter mediums to correct the problems.

Rather than go to the expense and bother of hit or miss techniques to find a filter to you liking I would strongly suggest you have your water analized to determine what type of filter would work best at your location.

Contact your local municipal water supplier or your county health department and they can give you information on local laboratories that can do a complete water analisis for you.

Normally you can get a water analisis for about $25 to $30 and the lab would then recommend what type of filter mediums would work best for you. You may find that you will not need to change your filter unit but rather just get a different type of filter cartridge to meet your needs.

You might also try clicking on the link at the top of the Plumbing Forum to check out the Aqua Pure site. They offer a number of different units as well as different types of filter medium to address specific problems such as cloudiness, sediments, color, taste etc.

Congratulatons on aquiring the Bernzomatic 19040 torch head. I think you will be very happy with it. I have been using that type of torch head almost exclusively for years. In fact, the one I am using now is nearly 5 years old and still going strong.

When you get the torch you will see that it will burn both Propane and MAPP gas. Propane should be your fuel of choice for soldering copper. I occassionally use the MAPP gas when it is necessary to run a copper line under slab because the codes require copper lines under slab to have wroght copper fittings and be silver brazed rather than soldered.

When you get your new torch head I would strongly suggest you grab a few miscellaneous fittings and a couple feet of copper pipe and make a few trial joints to get the feel of the torch.

You will note that this type of torch has the turbo torch type swirl technology to get a better fuel air mix and it will burn considerably hotter than a conventional Propane torch, which means the pipe and fitting will preheat much faster, thus greatly reducing your soldering time and providing a more consistant heat on the pipe. This will also reduce the amount of anealing or oxydation on the pipe which commonly causes problems when soldering.

Perhaps the greatest feature of this type of torch is the total one hand control, pick it up, pull the trigger and it lights the torch. Release the trigger and the flame goes out, simple as that. That will not only greatly reduce your fuel consumption it permits you to quickly set the torch aside without worrying about something catching on fire.

To give you an example of fuel economy, I can typically plumb a whole house with one tank of fuel as opposed to 3 or 4 tanks when using a conventional propane torch. In my estimation, while the Berzomatic 19040 torch head typically costs about $40, the payback in fuel savings alone will more than adequately compensate your investment.

One of the greatest features is the cool tip technology. While the flame is considerably hotter than a conventional Propane torch, the tip stays cool. You can actually touch the tip within a second after the flame goes out without risk of injury.

Another very nice feature is that it has a regulated gas valve which means you can use it in any postition, even totally upside down which comes in very handy when working in confined spaces where you need to postition the torch to keep the flame away from wooden framing or other combustibles.

I would strongly suggest you do follow the manufacturers instructions and be sure to disconnect the torch head from the fuel tank when storing. I simply unscrew mine, drop the tank in my tool box and lay the torch head on the top tray instantly ready for the next days work.

[fred1949]

Thank you very much. All your help & experteez is greatly appreciated.

Fred