Kind Water System Installation (Formerly Evo): DIY Whole House Cartridge Filter Install

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Evo Water System Installation

If your water supply has serious contamination issues, a whole house water filter and softener system can remove bad taste, heavy metals, chemicals, and hard water minerals from every drop of water entering your home.

One of the first questions that comes up is how to install a cartridge-based water filter system.  Hiring a professional for your Kind Water System installation will cost a few hundred dollars. And it can be intimidating to contemplate installing one on your own, but it is possible! 

This guide will walk you through step-by-step how to install your whole house Kind Water System to save you the added expense. If you have questions on your installation, feel free to drop us a line and we’ll respond ASAP!

Quick Installation Steps

Preliminary Steps

The good news is that a cartridge-based whole house water filter and softener system is easier to install than a tank based option. It should take no more than 90 minutes to complete the installation. In this demonstration, we are showing how to install a 3-stage whole house water filter, as opposed to a tank-based system that consists of one tall tank that contains carbon filter media.

The specific unit we installed is the Kind E-3000 Whole House Water Filter And Salt-Free Softener Combo. Although there are subtle differences between various filter brands, in general, this guide will sufficiently walk through the installation of most cartridge-based water filters. This also includes 2-stage filters like the Kind E-2000 or Kind E-1000 options.

Where To Install The Kind Whole House System

There are many suitable locations for installing a whole house water filter. Here are the things to know when selecting the best location around your home.

Point Of Entry (POE)

The Kind whole house water filter system is a point of entry system and needs to be installed in close proximity to your main water supply line. It is best practice to install the system at the earliest point in your home’s plumbing. This means your water filtration system comes before your water heater and other appliances. In some cases, you will also need access to an electrical plugin if you have the additional UV lamp.

Following this layout will protect your water filter and softener, and prevent damage to your water heater. When selecting the final location, ensure it is on a sturdy flat surface. Common install areas include the basement, garage, utility closet, and even outside.

Outdoor Installation

The Kind whole house filter system can be installed outside if acceptable for your home’s plumbing configuration. Note the temperature must not drop below freezing or it will damage the filter system. Ideally, the temperature should range between 35 – 90 degrees Fahrenheit, and be out of direct sunlight.

What’s Included

The Kind water system installation kit comes with everything you need to assemble the system. Before beginning the installation process, ensure all the components are accounted for.

EVO E-3000 Water Filter & Water Softener Combo Review_Installation Kit Included

What You Will Need

Aside from the included installation kit, you will need a few things to complete the task. Importantly, the Kind water system does not come with plumbing connections to adapt the filter to your home’s plumbing. You will need the following materials to begin:

  • Screwdriver
  • Adjustable Wrench
  • Plumbers Tape
  • Pipe Cutter
  • Tape Measure
  • Hose Clamps
  • Pluming Pipe Fittings & Adapters

Installation Instructions: Step By Step

1

Turn Off Your Home’s Main Water Supply

Before beginning the installation, turn off the main water supply to your home. After turning off the main valve, turn on a sink or hose in your hose to relieve any remaining water pressure, then turn it back off. This will ensure water does not come into contact with the system while performing the install.

Evo Water System Installation_DIY Whole House Cartridge Filter Install
2

Secure Mounting Bracket To Wall

Install the mounting bracket horizontally to the wall using the supplied fasteners. Make sure to level the bracket before fastening it to the wall. Ensure the bracket has securely fasted to the material you are mounting it to whether wood, cement, or bricks, you may need to use a different mounting screw.

Pro Tip: If your studs do not match the length of the mounting bracket, you can fasten the filter bracket to a separate wood sheet or frame, and mount that to the wall.
Evo Water System Installation_DIY Whole House Cartridge Filter Install Step 2
3

Install Filter Housing Manifold

After the mounting bracket is securely fastened to the wall, you can now attach the filter head manifold to the bracket. Unscrew the filter housings from the filter head manifold, and install the manifold to the mounting bracket. Note, the inlet valve should be on the left and the outlet valve on the right. Use the proved bolts to attach the manifold head.

Evo Water System Installation_DIY Whole House Cartridge Filter Install Step 3
4

Attach Filter Housings To Manifold

Take the filter housings that you just unscrewed from the head manifold. Apply a thin layer of lubricant to the o-rings on the top of the filter housings. Now screw the filter housings back into their respective positions on the head manifold. Make sure the filter cartridges inside the housing are centered and properly seated. Snug the filter housings with the supplied cartridge wrench being careful not to over-tighten.

Evo Water System Installation_DIY Whole House Cartridge Filter Install Step 4
5

Connect Plumbing To Inlet & Outlet

Now that the system is fully assembled, we are ready to connect it to your home’s plumbing. There are a few ways to do this with either PEX or PVC plumbing. We decided to go with PEX since it is more flexible for an installation like this.

Expose the pre-plumb and then install a connector with a one-inch adapter. If you are using PEX, and stainless steel hose clamp will be suitable. Do the same to the other side of the pre-plumb as well. A shutoff valve is also installed onto the adapter on the incoming side of the pre-plumb. To avoid any leaks, ensure that the shut-off valve is fully tightened.

A PVC connector or PEX tubing will now be connected to the other side of the pre-plumb inlet. Prep the tank by applying the plumber’s tape to both of the connections. The water connector from the inflowing side of the pre-plumb will now be connected to the incoming side of the cartridge manifold. Tighten the connection by hand and then fully tighten it to ensure there are no leaks.

The other water connector will now be connected to the outflow side of the cartridge manifold. Be sure to fully tighten the connection. That water connector will now be routed to the outflowing pre-plumb connection.

Bypass Install: If you want to add a bypass, you will include plumbing and valves to circumnavigate the filters. This way you can change the filters without having to turn off the water supply.
Evo Water System Installation_DIY Whole House Cartridge Filter Install Step 5
6

Turn On Main Water Supply & Test System

The system is now fully installed and ready to be tested. Slowly turn on the main water supply to allow water to flow into the system. Observe all the fittings for any potential leaks at this time. If there are no leaks, you can turn on a cold faucet in your home and let it run for 10 minutes to flush the system. Turn off the faucet and double-check for any leaks. If there are none, your Kind water system is ready to be used!

Evo Water System Installation_DIY Whole House Cartridge Filter Install Step 6

FAQs On Kind Water System Installation

How long does the Kind water system installation take?

The Kind water system installation took us approximately 90 minutes. The nice thing with cartridge-based systems is they are relatively easy to install compared to a tank-based system.

When do I have to replace the filter cartridges?

The Kind water filters need to be replaced annually. The pre-sediment filter can be rinsed to maintain its effectiveness but needs to be replaced once a year. The carbon filter also needs to be replaced once a year. The salt-free e-soft cartridge never needs to be replaced, however. You can subscribe to their auto-ship program to save 15% off the filters too!

How much does it cost to install the system?

If you are not a DIY kind of person, hiring a professional plumber will cost between $150 – $300 to install the Kind water system. This depends on your location and the availability of service providers in your area.
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