Grand Lake Plumbing & Heating recently completed a whole-home water treatment replacement at a large vacation home in Tabernash, Colorado. The existing treatment equipment was only a few years old, but the homeowners had become concerned after one of them experienced an allergic reaction that appeared to be associated with water coming from the system.
Rather than continue troubleshooting equipment they no longer trusted, the homeowners chose to replace the treatment system completely. Because GLPH was already planning substantial work in the mechanical room, they also decided to replace two aging boilers and their indirect water heaters during the same project.
Project Facts
- Location: Tabernash, Colorado
- Project Type: Whole-home water treatment replacement with boiler and water heater replacement
- Property: Large seasonal vacation home
- Water Treatment Equipment: Crusader Water Systems treatment tanks and twin Aquamor ultrafiltration systems
- Heating Equipment: Two IBC SL20160G3 high-efficiency wall-mounted boilers and two Bradford White 80-gallon indirect water heaters
- Primary Concern: The existing water treatment system had been linked to an allergic reaction and the homeowners wanted it replaced with equipment they could trust
- Additional Improvements: New treatment controls, bypass and isolation piping, pressure tank, boiler piping, circulators, condensate neutralization, zone valves, recirculation pumps, expansion tanks, and glycol
- Result: A new whole-home water treatment system built around physical ultrafiltration, along with a fully updated heating and domestic hot water system
The Challenge
The issue at this Tabernash vacation home was not simply old or worn-out water treatment equipment. The system had been installed in 2022, but the homeowners became concerned after one of them experienced an allergic reaction that appeared to track back to water coming from the treatment system.
For the homeowners, that changed the nature of the problem. This was no longer a question of efficiency, convenience, or extending the life of existing equipment. They wanted the existing system removed and replaced with a treatment approach they could feel more confident using.
The fact that the property is a second home added another consideration. The water treatment system needs to perform reliably whether the home is occupied regularly or sitting empty for extended periods.
At the same time, the home had two aging boilers and two indirect water heaters that were still operating but were becoming another long-term reliability concern. Instead of coordinating two separate major projects at a seasonal property, the homeowners decided to address the water treatment and mechanical systems during the same visit.
The Water Treatment Solution
The Grand Lake Plumbing & Heating team, led by Danny and Zach, removed the existing water treatment system and installed an entirely new treatment train built around Crusader Water Systems media tanks and twin Aquamor ultrafiltration systems.
The Aquamor units use stainless-steel cartridge housings to provide a physical filtration barrier before treated water enters the home’s plumbing. This gave the homeowners a different treatment approach from the system they had chosen to replace.
New Crusader Water Systems treatment tanks installed in the mechanical room as part of the whole-home water treatment replacement.
Twin Ultrafiltration Systems
Twin Aquamor ultrafiltration cartridge housings were installed as part of the new treatment train. The ultrafiltration stage provides physical filtration ahead of the home’s domestic plumbing.
The new system also included a fresh valve and control head, new bypass and isolation piping, and a dedicated pressure tank to help maintain consistent water delivery throughout the house.
Twin Aquamor ultrafiltration cartridge housings provide physical filtration before water enters the home’s plumbing system.
Updating the Home’s Heating System at the Same Time
While the water treatment work was underway, the Grand Lake Plumbing & Heating team also replaced the home’s two aging boilers.
Two IBC SL20160G3 high-efficiency condensing boilers were installed in a cascade configuration. Each boiler was equipped with outdoor temperature sensing so the system can use outdoor reset control and adjust operation based on changing weather conditions.
The near-boiler hydronic piping was rebuilt in a primary-secondary configuration to match the new equipment’s dimensions and flow requirements.
New Pumps, Piping, and Service Components
New Grundfos circulators were installed along with isolation flanges designed to make future service easier. These components allow parts of the system to be isolated without unnecessarily draining or disrupting the entire heating system.
A new acid neutralizer was added to the condensate discharge. Condensing boilers produce acidic condensate, and neutralization helps protect the home’s plumbing and downstream drainage system from corrosion.
Two New Indirect Water Heaters
The existing indirect water heaters were replaced with two Bradford White 80-gallon units.
The domestic hot water recirculation pumps were also replaced with new variable-speed pumps. New expansion tanks were installed on both the boiler and domestic water sides of the system.
Updating All 12 Heating Zones
As part of the same project, the team replaced all 12 zone valve bodies and thermal actuators serving the home’s hydronic distribution system.
Addressing these components while the larger heating system was already being rebuilt reduced the likelihood that aging zone controls would become the next source of service problems.
Freeze Protection and System Commissioning
Before startup, the hydronic system was brought to a 30% glycol concentration to provide freeze protection during Grand County winters.
Every heating zone was purged of air before the boilers were placed into operation. The team then completed manufacturer-specified commissioning, including combustion analysis, elevation tuning, and documentation of startup values for future service reference.
The Results
The homeowners now have a whole-home water treatment system built around Crusader treatment equipment and twin Aquamor physical ultrafiltration instead of the system they had become concerned about.
They also have two new high-efficiency boilers, two new indirect water heaters, updated circulation equipment, new expansion tanks, renewed zone controls, and a hydronic system commissioned for the home’s Grand County operating conditions.
Completing both projects during the same visit meant the homeowners did not have to coordinate two separate major mechanical projects for a property they do not occupy year-round.
After the installation, the homeowners left Grand Lake Plumbing & Heating a five-star Google review and specifically highlighted the team’s communication, knowledge of the boiler, water filtration, and water heater systems, and willingness to explain the installation process.
Water Treatment in Tabernash and Grand County
Water treatment problems are not always as simple as hard water, staining, or unpleasant taste. When homeowners have concerns about an existing treatment system, the right solution may require evaluating the complete setup and determining whether the equipment still fits the property’s needs.
Grand Lake Plumbing & Heating provides whole-home water treatment services throughout Tabernash and Grand County, including filtration, water testing support, water softening, reverse osmosis, and customized treatment systems.
The GLPH team can also evaluate the property’s broader mechanical systems when water treatment, heating, domestic hot water, and plumbing needs overlap.
If you have concerns about your water quality or your existing treatment equipment, a professional evaluation is the right place to start.
Call Grand Lake Plumbing & Heating at 970-627-3441 to discuss water treatment options for your Tabernash or Grand County property.
Whole-Home Water Treatment FAQs
When should a whole-home water treatment system be replaced?
A system may need replacement when it no longer addresses the home’s water quality concerns, becomes difficult to maintain, repeatedly requires repairs, or no longer gives the homeowner confidence in the water being delivered throughout the house.
What is ultrafiltration in a whole-home water treatment system?
Ultrafiltration uses a physical membrane or cartridge barrier to filter water before it enters the home’s plumbing system. It can be incorporated into a multi-stage treatment system based on the property’s water quality and treatment goals.
Why are isolation and bypass valves important in a water treatment system?
Isolation and bypass valves make it easier to service treatment components without unnecessarily interrupting the entire home’s water supply. They also give technicians greater control when testing, maintaining, or replacing individual pieces of equipment.
Does a seasonal home need different water treatment considerations?
It can. Vacation homes and second homes may sit unused for extended periods, so treatment equipment should be selected and maintained with the property’s occupancy pattern in mind.
Can water treatment and boiler work be completed during the same project?
Yes. When multiple systems share the same mechanical room, coordinating the work can make sense. On this Tabernash project, Grand Lake Plumbing & Heating replaced the water treatment system, two boilers, two indirect water heaters, and related hydronic components during the same project.
Does Grand Lake Plumbing & Heating install water treatment systems in Tabernash?
Yes. Grand Lake Plumbing & Heating provides water treatment, plumbing, boiler, and hydronic heating services for homes in Tabernash and throughout Grand County.
