You’ve likely heard it from your clients while you’re on a service call. They ask about the water quality, complaining that their skin feels dry or their hair feels brittle after a wash. We’re seeing a massive shift in the industry right now. Homeowners aren’t just concerned about the water they drink; they are becoming increasingly concerned about the water they bathe in.
As a plumbing professional, you are their trusted expert. When they ask, “Is it good to filter your shower water?” they are looking to you for a definitive answer. The short answer? Absolutely. But to really serve your clients—and boost your ticket value on service calls—it helps to understand the “why” and the “how” behind this growing trend.
Let’s dive into the details of shower filtration, so you can help your customers make the best choice for their homes (and their health).
Understanding Shower Water Composition
To understand why filtration matters, we have to look at what is flowing through those pipes. In states like Arizona, Nevada, and Texas, we deal with some unique water challenges.
First, there’s the issue of sanitization. Municipal water treatment plants do an incredible job of making sure water is safe from waterborne diseases. To do this, they use chlorine or chloramines. While these chemicals are essential for killing bacteria during transport through the city mains, they aren’t exactly a spa treatment for the human body.
Then, there are the pipes themselves. In older infrastructure, water can pick up heavy metals like lead or mercury as it travels to the home. Even in newer builds, trace amounts of sediment and rust can find their way to the showerhead.
Finally, we can’t talk about water in the Southwest without talking about hardness. Hard water contains high levels of calcium and magnesium. While a standard shower filter isn’t a water softener, it plays a role in how these minerals interact with soap and skin. When you combine chlorine, potential heavy metals, and hard water minerals, you get a cocktail that can be harsh on the body.
Health Impacts of Unfiltered Shower Water
When customers ask, “Is it good to filter your shower water?” they are usually trying to solve a physical problem. Unfiltered water can have several surprising impacts on health and daily comfort.
Skin Irritation and Dryness
The most common complaint is dry, itchy skin. Chlorine is designed to strip protective barriers from bacteria—it does the same thing to human skin. It strips away natural oils, leading to tightness, flaking, and irritation. For clients with eczema or psoriasis, chlorinated water can trigger flare-ups that are uncomfortable and persistent.
Hair Damage and Color Fading
If your client spends hundreds of dollars at the salon, unfiltered water is their worst enemy. Chlorine oxidizes hair, making it brittle and prone to breakage. It also strips hair dye significantly faster than filtered water. Hard water minerals can also build up on the hair shaft, making it look dull or turning blonde hair brassy.
Benefits of Shower Water Filtration
Installing a high-quality shower filter is one of the most cost-effective upgrades a homeowner can make. Here is why it’s a win for them:
- Softer, Healthier Skin: Without the harsh stripping effects of chlorine, the skin retains its natural moisture barrier. Clients often report that they need less lotion after showering.
- Shinier Hair: Filtered water allows shampoos and conditioners to lather better and rinse out cleaner. This results in softer, shinier, and more manageable hair.
- Reduced Chemical Exposure: The skin is the body’s largest organ, and it absorbs what we put on it. Filtering the water reduces the overall toxic load the body has to process.
- Better Air Quality: Less chlorine vapor in the steam means a fresher smelling bathroom and easier breathing.
Types of Shower Filters Available
Not all filters are created equal. As a professional, knowing the difference between the technologies will help you recommend the right product from your truck stock.
Activated Carbon Filters
These are the most common and often the most affordable. They work like a sponge, trapping impurities as water passes through.
- Pros: Excellent at removing chlorine and sediment.
- Cons: They lose effectiveness in high heat. If your client loves scalding hot showers, a standard carbon filter might not cut it.
KDF (Kinetic Degradation Fluxion) Filters
For hot water applications, KDF is the heavyweight champion. These filters use copper and zinc granules to create a chemical reaction that neutralizes chlorine, lead, mercury, iron, and hydrogen sulfide.
- Pros: Works perfectly in high temperatures; antimicrobial properties keep the filter clean; extends the life of carbon filters when used together.
- Cons: Slightly more expensive upfront, but worth it for the longevity.
Vitamin C Filters
These are a bit more niche but very popular in the beauty community. They use a tube of ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) to neutralize chlorine and chloramine.
- Pros: extremely effective at neutralizing chloramine (which carbon sometimes misses).
- Cons: The cartridges deplete faster and need frequent replacement.
How to Choose the Right Shower Filter
Helping your client choose the right filter builds trust. When you are assessing their needs, consider these factors:
1. What is in their water?
If they are on municipal water, chlorine removal is the priority. A KDF/Carbon mix is usually the best all-rounder. If they are on well water, they might need sediment filtration first.
2. Pressure preferences
A common worry is, “Will this ruin my water pressure?” Cheap filters might, but high-flow models designed for professional installation won’t. Look for filters rated for 2.5 GPM (gallons per minute) to ensure they don’t feel a drop in performance.
3. Maintenance realistic
Be honest with the client. Are they going to remember to change a Vitamin C cartridge every month? Probably not. A high-capacity KDF filter that lasts 6 months to a year is usually a better fit for the average homeowner.
4. NSF Certification
Always look for third-party certifications like NSF/ANSI Standard 177. This guarantees the filter actually reduces the contaminants it claims to.
Installation and Maintenance
You know how to install a showerhead, but walking your client through the process (or doing it for them) adds massive value. Here is the best practice approach for a standard inline filter:
- Prep the Area: Remove the existing showerhead. Clean the threads of the shower arm properly to remove old tape and mineral deposits.
- Apply Tape: Apply fresh plumber’s tape to the shower arm threads to ensure a leak-free seal.
- Flush the Filter: This is the step most DIYers miss. Run water through the new filter for 10-20 seconds before attaching the showerhead. This clears out any loose carbon fines so they don’t clog the showerhead nozzles.
- Connect: Hand-tighten the filter onto the shower arm, then the showerhead onto the filter. Use a wrench for a final quarter-turn, but don’t over-tighten plastic threads.
- Check for Leaks: Turn the water on and check connections.
Maintenance Tips for Clients:
Remind them that a filter is like a sponge—eventually, it gets full. Mark the installation date on the filter housing with a permanent marker, or offer to put them on a recurring schedule where you drop off a replacement cartridge every 6 months.
Addressing Common Concerns and Misconceptions
You will likely face some skepticism. Here is how to handle the common pushbacks.
“I have city water, isn’t it already clean?”
It is safe to drink, yes. But “safe” doesn’t mean “pure.” The chemicals used to make it safe for transport are the very things drying out their skin.
“I have a water softener, do I need this?”
Yes. A softener removes minerals (calcium/magnesium), but it generally does not remove chlorine or chemicals. A shower filter and a water softener are the perfect teammates.
“It’s too expensive.”
Break it down for them. A quality filter costs pennies per day. Compare that to the cost of high-end moisturizers, hair treatments, and bottled water.
Expert Opinions and Scientific Studies
The consensus among health professionals is growing. Many dermatologists now recommend shower filtration as a first line of defense for patients with atopic dermatitis (eczema).
Research published regarding water quality highlights that the absorption of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) through the skin during a bath or shower can sometimes exceed the amount absorbed by drinking the water. By presenting this as a health-conscious decision backed by science, you move the conversation from “plumbing hardware” to “wellness essential.”
Personal Experiences and Testimonials
We’ve heard countless stories from plumbers in our network who have started pushing these products.
One customer in Las Vegas mentioned, “I thought I just had bad skin genetics. My plumber suggested a filter while fixing a leak. Two weeks later, my itching stopped. I’ll never go back.”
Another family in Austin reported, “We have a baby with sensitive skin. We were using bottled water to bathe him. Installing a whole-house filter system saved us so much time and money.”
These stories matter. When you share them with your clients, they can see themselves in the scenario.
Cost Analysis
Let’s look at the bottom line. A decent inline shower filter might cost the homeowner anywhere from $30 to $80 initially, with replacement cartridges costing less.
If that filter prevents color-treated hair from fading, extending the time between salon visits, it pays for itself in two months. If it reduces the need for prescription eczema creams or expensive conditioners, the ROI is even higher. For you, the plumber, it’s a quick add-on sale with a healthy margin that requires almost no extra labor time if you are already on-site.
Environmental Impact
Is it good to filter your shower water for the planet? surprisingly, yes.
We see many homeowners buying plastic bottled water for face washing or even rinsing their hair because they distrust the tap water. A shower filter eliminates this single-use plastic waste. Furthermore, by trapping contaminants at the source, we prevent certain chemicals from washing down the drain and re-entering the water cycle, ultimately reducing the load on wastewater treatment facilities.
Future Trends in Shower Water Filtration
The plumbing industry isn’t standing still. We are starting to see “smart” shower systems entering the market. These devices track water usage, temperature, and even filter life in real-time, sending alerts to the homeowner’s phone when a cartridge change is needed.
We are also seeing a rise in eco-friendly filter materials, moving away from plastic housings toward biodegradable or recyclable components. Keeping an eye on these trends ensures you stay ahead of the curve and remain the go-to expert for your high-end clients.
Conclusion
So, let’s circle back to the big question: Is it good to filter your shower water?
The evidence points to a resounding yes. It is good for skin health, good for hair longevity, and good for reducing overall chemical exposure. For your clients, it turns a daily routine into a healthier, more spa-like experience. For you, it’s an opportunity to provide genuine value, solve persistent problems, and build loyalty.
Water quality isn’t getting better on its own. As infrastructure ages and chemical treatments increase, the barrier of protection provided by a shower filter becomes more necessary.
Ready to Upgrade Your Inventory?
Don’t let your clients go to a big-box store to buy inferior filters. Be the expert who provides the solution.
Check out PlumbersOnly.com today to stock up on high-quality shower filtration systems. With our 24/7 online ordering and locations across Arizona, Nevada, and Texas, Van Marcke has the supplies you need to keep your business flowing.