Southern California homes face a unique challenge when it comes to water quality. Hard water, filled with calcium, magnesium, and other minerals, can wreak havoc on plumbing systems, appliances, and even skin and hair. Worse yet, the pressure in many local systems — often exceeding 100 PSI — shortens the lifespan of shower cartridges, faucets, and washing machines.
But with the right filtration and softening system, you can enjoy clean, balanced water while extending the life of your fixtures.
At OC Handyman Services, we’ve built and tested real-world solutions — starting with our headquarters in La Habra Heights. This article kicks off a 12-part series on how you can build or retrofit a reasonably priced, effective, and serviceable Whole House Water System — without falling for overpriced gimmicks or “magnetic miracle” scams.
From selecting the right filters and regulators, to housing everything in a backyard shed or garage wall — we’ll walk you through every key step.
Why Filtration Matters
Local city water often meets legal standards — but that doesn’t mean it’s great for your home. Here in LHH, our incoming water pressure tested at 125 PSI. That’s far beyond what residential valves and appliances are rated for.
To protect our systems:
- We installed a WATTS pressure regulator to reduce pressure to ~60 PSI inside the house.
- We added dual Culligan filters: a 5 or 10-micron sediment filter and a charcoal filter for taste and odor.
- We ensured unfiltered water reached our exterior spigots — for wildfire defense and outdoor maintenance.
System Setup
Our system was built off-site on a 4’x6′ plywood board for layout efficiency and cost savings. Once complete, it was moved into a $400 Costco shed on a gravel base (soon to be replaced with a concrete pad). The shed sits near the home’s main 1-inch water supply — making it easy to tap into without running long lines.
We used full 1-inch PEX A with brass fittings, minimizing flow restrictions and maintaining pressure at all stations.
Smart Shunting
Key to this setup is modularity. We installed spigots and ball valves at critical points:
- To shunt around the pressure regulator during emergencies
- To bypass the softener or filters during maintenance
- To isolate sections of the system without shutting down the home
Looking Ahead
In upcoming articles, we’ll cover:
- Cost breakdowns vs. commercial softener services
- Using potassium chloride vs. sodium-based softeners
- Filter maintenance schedules
- Building systems into garage walls for city homes
- Seasonal considerations for filter swaps
- Integrating UV or additional filtration for immune-compromised households
Real Systems for Real Homes
OC Handyman Services doesn’t sell products — we solve problems. This isn’t a commercial plug. It’s a working example built by hand, on a real property, for a real family. We believe Southern California homeowners deserve straightforward, effective ways to protect their homes and water supply.
Related Articles Coming Soon:
- 0252 – Reducing High Water Pressure at the Main Line
- 0253 – Choosing Between Sodium and Potassium Chloride
- 0254 – Filter Maintenance Tips for Busy Families
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