ServicesAlkaline Water Systems
Alkaline Water Systems in West University Place
An alkaline system adds calcium and magnesium back to your drinking water and raises its pH. Most people want it because plain reverse osmosis water tastes flat. If you already have an RO unit, we can usually add a stage to it instead of selling you a new system.
What an alkaline system does
Reverse osmosis strips almost everything out of water, minerals included. The water comes out clean but a little flat, and slightly acidic. An alkaline stage sits after the RO membrane. Water passes through a cartridge of mineral media, picks up a small amount of calcium and magnesium, and comes out of your faucet with a higher pH and a rounder taste.
We keep the pitch simple. We don't promise health effects. What we can tell you is how the water will taste, what the cartridge needs and how often, and whether your current setup can take the add-on. If your RO unit is in decent shape, adding one stage is the sensible move. If the housings are cracked or the membrane is shot, we'll say so and explain why a new unit costs you less over time.
What the work includes
- Check of your existing RO unit
- We look at the membrane, housings, tank pressure and tubing before we recommend anything. A unit with good bones gets an add-on. A worn-out one gets an honest answer.
- Remineralization cartridge
- An inline cartridge goes between the storage tank and the faucet. It adds minerals and lifts pH without changing how the rest of the system works.
- Standalone systems for homes without RO
- If you don't have reverse osmosis, we can install a complete under-sink unit with the alkaline stage built in. We'll also tell you if a simpler filter covers what you need.
- Faucet and fittings
- We reuse your dedicated drinking faucet if it works. If it drips or the finish is failing, we replace it and seal the countertop hole properly.
- Free installation and follow-up
- Installation is free, and we offer full services after the sale. That means cartridge changes, leak checks and pH checks when you need them.
Signs an alkaline stage is worth a look
Your RO water tastes flat
This is the most common reason people call. The water is clean but tastes like nothing, so the family drinks less of it.
Low pH on a test strip
RO water often reads below neutral. A mineral stage brings it back up.
Your old alkaline cartridge is spent
Mineral media gets used up. If the taste has drifted back to flat, the cartridge probably needs changing, not the whole system.
Leaks or slow flow under the sink
Small drips at fittings and slow fill often trace to one worn part. We fix that first and only suggest a new unit when several parts are failing at once.
You're buying bottled alkaline water
If cases of it are coming home every week, a system at the sink is worth pricing out.
What happens from call to clean faucet
- 1
Start with a phone call
Describe what sits under your sink today and what you don't like about the water. From that, we can usually tell if you're looking at a new cartridge, a repair or a full system.
- 2
Readings and a look at the unit
Once we're in your home, we measure pH and total dissolved solids right at the faucet, then inspect the RO unit. We show you the numbers and anything worn or damaged.
- 3
Your options, written down
If a repair plus an add-on will do the job, that's what we list first. When a new unit is the smarter choice, we spell out why in everyday words.
- 4
Installation and cleanup
An add-on usually goes in within an hour. We put a towel down, flush the fresh cartridge, look over each fitting for drips, test pH again and leave the cabinet clean.
What moves the cost
There's no single price because the starting point differs from one kitchen to the next. Installation is free, so most of the cost is the equipment and any repairs. We'll explain each line before any work starts.
- Add-on or full system
- Adding a cartridge to a working RO unit costs far less than a new under-sink system with the stage built in.
- Condition of your current unit
- A worn membrane, a tank that won't hold pressure or cracked housings add parts to the job. Sometimes it's still worth fixing. Sometimes it isn't, and we'll tell you.
- Cartridge type and change interval
- Some mineral cartridges last longer than others. A longer-lasting one can cost more up front and less each year.
- Faucet and countertop
- Reusing an existing faucet keeps cost down. Drilling stone or quartz for a new one takes more time and care.
Alkaline water questions
Something not covered here? (713) 528-8226
Can you add alkaline to the RO system I already have?
Usually, yes. Most under-sink RO units accept an inline cartridge after the tank. We check the unit first, because adding a new stage to a failing system just moves the problem.
Will alkaline water make me healthier?
We don't make health claims. What we can promise is a change in taste and pH that you can measure at the faucet. Most of our customers buy it because they like how the water tastes.
How often does the cartridge need changing?
It depends on the cartridge and how much water your household drinks. When the taste goes flat again or the pH drops, it's time. We can show you how to check with a test strip.
Do I need reverse osmosis to get alkaline water?
Not always, but they work best together. RO removes what you don't want, and the mineral stage adds back what makes water taste good. If you don't need RO, we'll say so and look at other options like whole-home filtration.
Do you work on alkaline systems another company installed?
Yes. We'll look at it, find out what's wrong and fix it if the parts are available. If the unit uses odd proprietary parts that are hard to get, we'll explain your options.
Fix the flat taste at your sink
Tell us what's under your sink now. We'll say whether a cartridge, a repair or a new unit makes sense, and installation is free.