‘You get what you pay for’, the old adage goes. And when it comes to your investment in filter nozzles, saving money with a cheap product now could well cost you a fortune later.
With cheaply made, poorly designed filter nozzles entering the market, the differences between products may not initially be obvious, but they will be down the track. And the financial ramifications of investing in an inefficient filter nozzle or using an unreliable supplier are likely to add up to much more than any potential saving.
It is crucial to know what sets a quality filter nozzle apart from a cheap imitation.
Here are a few things to consider when investing in filter nozzles:
- Are the slot sizes consistent?
- Do you need your filter nozzles to perform at their peak for many years?
- Is your supplier focused purely on sales or can they also offer expert advice?
So often the difference between quality and cheap filter nozzles is in the fine manufacturing details and the commitment of the supplier and manufacturer.
Slot size consistency
You may not see it with the naked eye, but the consistency of slot size is one of the most important features of a fully functional, quality filter nozzle. This is because air and water can travel evenly through slots of consistent size, enabling even distribution across the filter during filtration and backwash process.
However, in filter nozzles with inconsistent slot sizing, air and water will naturally take the path of least resistance and pass through the larger slots, resulting in an unbalanced filter and uneven backwash.
It is also possible that debris and filter media will become trapped in, or pass through the wider slots, causing uneven filtration, solids in the filtered water and even blockages. This can lead to serious issues such as poor water quality and even full filter system failure.
Inconsistent slot sizes are the result of imprecise manufacturing processes, and issues can arise from a difference of mere millimetres. Manufacturing a high-quality nozzle requires cutting-edge technology, extensive testing and a commitment to continuous improvement – attributes rarely seen in manufacturers of cheap nozzles.
Quality and durability
Construction or refurbishment of facilities requiring major filter systems, such as commercial pools or water treatment plants, are major and costly undertakings. Having to replace filter nozzles within the first few years or even months can be disastrous for business.
Quality filter nozzles often last decades because they are made of high quality, durable materials and backed by many years of experience and engineering design to give you peace of mind they will last the distance.
Manufacturing cheap nozzles come at the expense of quality of materials. In some cases, cheap products have failed within months of installation, requiring removal of all of the filter media and replacement of the nozzles, causing major disruption to business.
