Undersink Filters
The under sink filters require some installation, although the installation is actually fairly simple. If you are handy with a few tools or know someone who is, less than an hour of effort to install the filter will reward you with a lifetime of clean and safe drinking water.
To connect the filter you will use either the Polypropylene Faucet Adaptor ½” X ½” x ¼” Quick Connect or the adjustable ⅜” to 1¼” Self Piercing Valve with a ¼” Quick Connect. Both will be included for your convenience but you will not use both.
The white Polypropylene Faucet Adaptor will connect directly underneath the cold (not the hot side) faucet onto the faucet stud (see illustration.) The locknut to the metal or plastic tube which connects to the cold water shutoff valve should then connect to the Polypropylene Faucet Adaptor.
Alternate connection:
To connect the Self Piercing Valve (included) you can connect it to the tube between the faucet and the shut off valve. Again, connect only to the cold (not the hot side) faucet. The Self Piercing Valve fits around the pipe between the shutoff valve and faucet and clamps down on it. As you screw the handle down, it punctures the pipe but it is recommended that you first drill a small hole, about 1/16 inch. This works for copper, CPVC, and galvanized steel pipe ⅜” to 1¼” in diameter. PEX pipe or any sort of mesh tubing will be too flexible for the Self Piercing Valve.
Before connecting the Polypropylene Faucet Adaptor or the Self Piercing Valve you must shut off the cold water shutoff valve. Turn back on once installation is complete. Once the Polypropylene Faucet Adaptor or Self Piercing Valve is connected then all that needs to be done is connect the tubing from the ¼” Quick Connect to the inflow of the filter and connect the outflow line to the faucet dispenser.
The flow control valve can be placed in between the Polypropylene Faucet Adaptor or the Self Piercing Valve and the inflow. It can then be turned off for maintenance of the filter. Alternately, it can be used as an under counter dispenser valve if the faucet dispenser is not connected.
Installing the faucet dispenser.
You may have a stainless-steel sink with an extra hole for mounting the faucet for your filtered water, but many sinks don't. If your sink has a sprayer, you can remove it and put the dispenser in its hole. If you have a three-hole faucet, you can replace that with a single-hole faucet, but then after installing the dispenser you'll have one hole too many. You can always stick a soap dispenser in the extra hole.
Another option is to punch or drill a hole in your stainless-steel sink, using a 7/16” or 1/2” carbide-tipped or bimetal hole saw. Take care not to disfigure your sink.
A cast-iron sink presents a challenge. One solution is to use a carbide-tipped or bimetal hole saw to slowly and carefully cut an opening into the sink, adding water to the cutter as you drill. This is difficult, but it works though it's easy to scratch the sink. Put several thicknesses of tape around the hole to keep from doing so.
Alternately, install the faucet on the countertop next to the sink.
You will need a 1 ¼ inch diameter flat surface for the faucet to sit on, and the depth of the sink edge and counter must not exceed 1 1/2 inch. Once you've got a hole, apply a bead of silicone caulk around its edge, stand the faucet body in the hole and, from underneath the sink, tighten down its holding nut.
Reverse Osmosis Filters
The installation of the 5 Stage RO/DI filter is identical to the other under sink filters except a second line needs to connect from the wastewater line to the kitchen sink drain. The reservoir will also be connected to the unit and placed under the sink. See the illustration above for an example. Detailed instructions will be supplied with the filter.
Whole House Filters
Only Pure H2O only recommends professional installation of whole house filters. Installation instructions are not provided as they will need to be placed in your homes plumbing system before the hot water heater.
