Stop Sediment Before It Starts
Coarse sediment — sand, rust, silt — is the first thing that should be pulled out of your water supply, before it reaches your pump, cartridges, or UV sterilizer. A pre-filter installed at the point of entry protects every stage that comes after it and extends the service life of your whole system.
Choose Your Pre-Filter
Both are coarse, first-stage filters — the choice comes down to how you want to maintain it and how much room you have to install it.
Spin-Down Sediment Filter
A clear bowl with a reusable stainless-steel mesh screen inside — you can see exactly how much sediment it's catching, and flush it clean in seconds with the bottom valve. No cartridges to buy or replace.
- Clear housing lets you see sediment buildup at a glance
- Flush-clean maintenance — no replacement cartridges
- Reusable stainless mesh screen, typical rating around 100 micron
- Compact footprint, straightforward point-of-entry install
Y-Strainer
A solid brass or stainless body with a removable mesh basket inside — unscrew the cap, rinse the basket, and reassemble. Handles higher pressure and temperature than a clear spin-down bowl.
- Higher pressure and temperature tolerance than clear housings
- Compact, low-profile fitting for tight mechanical rooms
- Durable brass or 304 stainless steel construction
- Simple unscrew-and-rinse maintenance
Where It Fits in Your System
The Pre-Filter is the very first stage — protecting everything downstream of it.
Specifications
Typical values for this product category. Rows marked CONFIRM must be replaced once a supplier is chosen.
| Specification | Spin-Down Sediment Filter | Y-Strainer |
|---|---|---|
| Filtration type | Reusable mesh screen | Removable mesh basket |
| Typical mesh / micron rating | CONFIRM (~100 micron typical) | CONFIRM (~40–80 mesh typical) |
| Port size | CONFIRM (~1″ MNPT / 3/4″ FNPT typical) | CONFIRM (1/2″–2″ NPT typical) |
| Max flow rate | CONFIRM (~20 GPM typical, 1″ model) | CONFIRM |
| Max working pressure | CONFIRM | CONFIRM |
| Body material | Polycarbonate bowl + stainless mesh | Brass or 304 stainless steel |
| Operating temperature | CONFIRM | CONFIRM |
| Maintenance | Flush via bottom valve | Unscrew cap, rinse basket |
Generic specifications researched from comparable products in this category (September 2026) — not a manufacturer datasheet. See copy-deck.md for sources.
Maintenance
Spin-Down Filter
Open the bottom flush valve for 5–10 seconds every 1–2 weeks — more often during wet-season or high-sediment periods. No parts to replace.
Y-Strainer
Shut off the supply, unscrew the cap, rinse the mesh basket, and reassemble. Check monthly at first to establish the right cleaning interval for your water source.
Request a Free Onsite Survey
We'll assess your water source and existing plumbing, then recommend the right pre-filter and full filtration line-up for your home or business.