Kenmore 625.38448 User Manual

Part No.7295232 (Rev. A 4/26/07)

Heavy Duty Whole
House Water Filter

Sears, Roebuck and Co., 3333 Beverly Road, Hoffman Estates, IL 60179 U.S.A.

www.KenmoreWater.com

MODEL NO. 625.384480

OWNER'S MANUAL

• Warranty

• Installation

• How It Works

• Care Of

• Specifications

• Repair Parts

Repair or Parts ? Call toll free 1-800-469-4663

See back cover for other Sears service numbers.

Caution:
Read and follow all safety rules and operating
instructions before first use of this product.

SAVE THIS MANUAL

Questions ?
Visit www.KenmoreWater.com
or call toll free 1-800-426-9345 (M - F, 7 AM - 8 PM CST)

2

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Dimensions

Warranty

ONE YEAR FULL WARRANTY ON THE

HEAVY DUTY WHOLE HOUSE WATER FILTER

When installed, operated and maintained according to all instructions supplied with the product, if this Heavy
Duty Whole House Water Filter fails due to a defect in material or workmanship within one year from the
date of purchase, Sears will replace this Heavy Duty Whole House Water Filter free of charge. This warranty
does not include filter cartridges, which are expendable items.

This warranty is available by simply returning the Heavy Duty Whole House Water Filter to the nearest Sears
store throughout the United States.

This warranty applies only while this product is in use in the United States or Canada.

This warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may have other rights which vary from state to state

.

Sears, Roebuck and Co., Hoffman Estates, IL 60179

14-1/8"

7-1/4" 7-1/4"

3

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Table of Contents

Safety Guides

Unpack and Check Shipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4

Water Treatment Filter Cartridges . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5

Plan Your Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5

Typical Installations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6

Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7-9

Filter Cartridge Life & Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10

Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11

Exploded View & Parts List . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11

 Read this entire manual carefully before installing and

using your Heavy Duty Whole House Water Filter.
Follow all steps exactly to correctly install.

 Check with your local public works department for

plumbing and sanitation codes. You must follow
their guides as you install the system. Follow your
local codes if they differ with guides in this manual.
In Massachusetts, plumbing codes of Massachusetts
shall be adhered to. Consult with a licensed plumber.

 Maximum operating pressure: 100 psi.

 Maximum temperature: 100°F.

 For cold water use only. Do not install on a hot water

line.

 Not to be used on water that is microbiologically

unsafe or of unknown quality without adequate disin­fection before or after the system.

 Keep solvents and sprays away from the clear sump

housing material. Surface cracking and failure can
result.

 Do not install where pressure surges exceed 100 psi.

Install a pressure regulator before the filter if needed.

 Do not install outdoors in direct sunlight.

 Do not install where freezing may occur.

 Misapplication of clear housing voids your warranty.

 It is important to properly seat the o-ring in the

groove of the sump housing, or a water leak could
occur.

 Retighten the sump 7 days after replacing filter.

4

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Unpack and Check Your Carton

INSPECT SHIPMENT

Your Heavy Duty Whole House Water Filter is shipped
complete in one carton. Remove all items from your
shipping carton.

Check all items against the packing list below. Note any
items lost or damaged in shipment. Note any damage to
the shipping carton. Refer to the exploded view and
parts list in the back of the manual for the part names
and numbers of missing or damaged items. If problems
exist, refer to the website or the toll free number listed
throughout this manual.

Keep the small parts in the parts bag until you are ready
to install them.

NOTE: Codes in the state of Massachusetts require
installation by a licensed plumber.

If you live in the state of Massachusetts, review plumb­ing code 248-CMR of the Commonwealth of
Massachusetts before proceeding with the installation.

Packing List

Bag Assembly

Heavy Duty Whole House

Water Filter Assembly

Sump Wrench

Mounting Bracket

Mounting

Screws

5

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Water Treatment Filter Cartridges

Filter cartridges to remove (1) sediments, (2) tastes and
odors, and (3) tastes, odors and sediments are available
for use in the Heavy Duty Whole House Water Filter.
Filter cartridges are not included with this water filter.
Your Sears store has a selection of the different types of
filter cartridges available.

SEDIMENT FILTER CARTRIDGES

Sediment cartridges remove sand, silt, clay, rust, dirt,
and other sediments from water. For example, a 30
micron cartridge filters larger sediments, and allows
higher flows at less pressure drop. A 5 micron cartridge
filters finer sediments from water, often to a single
faucet.

TASTE & ODOR CARTRIDGES

Many bad tastes and/or odors are reduced from water
using an activated carbon cartridge. It is most often
used to remove chlorine taste and odor.

The Taste and Odor Cartridges available are for taste and
odor reduction, and sediment reduction.

Plan Your Installation

INSTALLATION LOCATION

To filter sediments or tastes and odors from all house
water, locate the Heavy Duty Water Filter on the main
water supply pipe (See Figure 1). You can also filter
water to one faucet. For example, install the filter under
the kitchen sink to filter the cold drinking water (See
Figure 2).

PLANNING YOUR INSTALLATION

When planning the installation, first read the preceding
filter cartridge information to determine where to locate
the water filter housing. Then, use the drawings on Page
6 as a guide. There are many variables to consider as
you plan. Some of these are:

 The Heavy Duty Water Filter inlet and outlet internal

threads are 1" NPT

 Existing plumbing type (copper, threaded, etc.) and

nominal size (1/2", 3/4", 1" etc.)

 Tools you have, and your plumbing skills
 Space available for installing the Heavy Duty Water

Filter

Make a simple sketch of your proposed installation, and
a list of plumbing materials you will need. Obtain
everything you need before starting the installation.

Filtering All House Water

Figure 2

Figure 1

Filtering Water to One Faucet

Kitchen Sink

Heavy Duty

Water Filter

HOT

COLD

Heavy Duty

Water Filter

Well Water Supply

To Outside Faucets

Cold Water

to House

Faucets &

Water Heater

City Water Supply

OR

Pressure

Tank

Well

Pump

6

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Typical Installations

NOTE: Be sure to allow a minimum space of 2” under the

filter for removing the sump (to change the cartridge).

WATER

IN

WATER

OUT

Nut

Figure 6

Optional

Shutoff

Valve

Brass

Ferrule

Compression

Adaptor

INLET

1” NPT

MATERIALS & TOOLS NEEDED

 2 compression adaptors, 1” NPT x com-

pression end to fit existing copper pipe

 Teflon tape
 Tubing cutter
 Sandpaper or emery cloth
 2 wrenches, either open end or adjustable

jaw, sized to fit compression adaptors

A. INSTALLATION ON COPPER PLUMBING USING COMPRESSION FITTINGS

Figure 3

B. SOLDERED COPPER INSTALLATION

C. THREADED INSTALLATION

D. UNDERSINK INSTALLATION

(Filtering Water to One Faucet)

Figure 4

Figure 5

IN OUT

IN OUT

IN OUT

Optional

Shutoff

Valve (2)

Optional

Shutoff

Valve (2)

WATER

IN

WATER

OUT

1” Copper

Pipe, as

required

Adaptor, 1” NPT

x Sweat (Apply

4 wraps of

Teflon Tape)

WATER

IN

WATER

OUT

1”

Nipple

(2)

1” Hex
Nipple

(2)

Union

Fitting

(2)

NOTE: To change the filter

cartridge, you must
turn off the water.
A nearby shutoff
valve is convenient.
Most sinks already
have shutoff valves
on the supply pipes.

COLD

Shutoff Valve

SINK

NOTE: Be sure to allow

a minimum
space of 2” under
the filter for
removing the
sump (to change
the cartridge).

See Note in Figure 3

See Note in Figure 3

Apply 4 wraps of

Teflon Tape

Optional

Shutoff Valve

7

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Installation - Type A

INSTALLATION STEPS

1. Apply 4 wraps of Teflon tape to the threads of both

compression fittings.

2. Carefully turn the compression fittings into the water

filter head inlet and outlet and tighten. Do not cross­thread and damage the threads. Do not overtighten
and crack the head.

3. Remove the nut and brass ferrule from both compres-

sion fittings and set aside. Using a tape measure or
ruler, measure the distance “D” as shown in Figure 7).
Mark this dimension at right so you do not forget.

4. IMPORTANT: Turn off the water supply to the main

pipe. Open a high and low faucet in the water system
to drain the pipe.

5. On the main water pipe, where you will install the fil-

ter, mark the dimension “D”. You will remove this
section of pipe. Before you begin to cut, double-check
your measurement.

6. Use a tubing cutter to remove the section of pipe.

Remove all burrs and rough edges with the sandpaper
or emery cloth.

7. Place a nut and brass ferrule from compression fittings

onto both pipe ends (See Figure 8).

8. With the IN side of the water filter toward incoming
water, spread the pipes apart and fit both pipe ends

into the compression fittings. Move a ferrule and nut
up to the fitting (See Figure 9). Then, turn on and
tighten the nut. Hold the fitting with one wrench
while tightening the nut with the other. Repeat on the
other side.

9. Before turning on the water supply, remove the sump
from the filter head and install the filter cartridge (See
Page 10).

Figure 7

A. WATER FILTER ON HOUSE MAIN WATER PIPE, TO FILTER ALL HOUSEHOLD WATER

USING COMPRESSION FITTINGS (See Figure 3 on Page 6)

IN

OUT

Measure to shoulder
inside of fittings.
Copper pipe butts
against this shoulder.

D = ________”

Figure 9

Figure 8

Figure 10

Ground

Wire

Clamp

(2)

Nut

Brass
Ferrule

Brass

Ferrule

Nut

Nut

Brass

Ferrule

Nut

Fitting

WATER FLOW

GROUNDING INFORMATION:

The house cold water pipe is often used to ground elec­trical outlets in the home. Grounding protects you from
electrical shock. Installing the water filter housing may
have broken this ground. To restore, buy and install a #4
copper wire across the filter, tightly clamped at both
ends, as shown in Figure 10.

D

8

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Installation - Type B

B. WATER FILTER ON HOUSE MAIN WATER PIPE, TO FILTER ALL HOUSEHOLD WATER

USING SOLDERED COPPER FITTINGS (See Figure 4 on Page 6)

MATERIALS AND TOOLS NEEDED:

You will need 2 sweat adaptors, 1" NPT x sweat (sweat
end to fit your main water pipe), lead-free solder and
flux, soldering torch, Teflon tape, sandpaper or emery
cloth, open end (to fit sweat adaptor) or adjustable jaw
wrench.

INSTALLATION STEPS

CAUTION: Heat created when soldering can damage

the water filter’s plastic parts. Be sure to use the follow­ing procedure to protect the water filter.

1. IMPORTANT: Turn off the water supply to the main
pipe. Open a high and low faucet in the water system
to drain the pipe.

2. On the main water pipe, where you will install the fil­ter, use a tubing cutter to remove a section of pipe
about 12" long. Use sandpaper or emery cloth to thor­oughly clean and remove all burrs and rough edges,
from both pipe ends.

NOTE: When soldering, use lead-free solder and flux

only. Be sure pipe and fittings are properly
cleaned.

3. Solder a sweat adaptor onto one of the pipe ends (See
Figure 11).

4. Place, but do not solder, a straight connector onto the

other pipe end (See Figure 11).

5. Remove the sump from the filter head and set the
sump aside.

6. After it cools, apply 4 wraps of Teflon tape to the
threads on the sweat adaptor fitting (See Figure 12).

7. With the IN side of the water filter toward incoming
water, carefully, turn the filter head onto the sweat

adaptor fitting (See Figure 12). Do not cross-thread, or
over-tighten and crack the filter head.

8. Turn a sweat adaptor fitting into the other side of the
filter head and hand tighten only. Using a tape meas­ure or ruler, measure the distance “D” as shown in
Figure 13. Mark this same dimension on a length of
copper pipe. Cut the length of pipe.

9. Remove the sweat adaptor fitting from the filter head
and solder to the cut length of pipe.

10. After it cools, apply 4 wraps of Teflon tape to the

threads on the sweat adaptor fitting. Apply flux and

Figure 11

Straight

Connector

Sweat
Adaptor

IN

OUT

Figure 12

Filter
Head

WATER FLOW

Sweat

Adaptor

Apply

Teflon Tape

Figure 13

place the pipe end of the soldered assembly into the
straight connector. Then, turn the adaptor end into
the filter head and tighten.

11. Solder both sides of the straight connector.

12. Before replacing the sump and turning on the water

supply, install the filter cartridge (See Page 10).

NOTE: Read the “Grounding Information” on Page 7,

and comply with the instructions if required to
maintain continuity.

continued

D

D

D. WATER FILTER UNDERSINK, TO FILTER WATER TO ONE FAUCET

(See Figure 6 on Page 6)

9

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Installation - Type C

C. WATER FILTER ON HOUSE MAIN WATER PIPE, TO FILTER ALL HOUSEHOLD WATER

USING THREADED PIPE & FITTINGS (See Figure 5 on Page 6)

MATERIALS AND TOOLS NEEDED:

For threaded pipe installation, you will need a pipe
threading tool, pipe wrenches, pipe joint compound,
union fittings and pipe nipples. Connect the filter hous­ing as typically shown in Figure 5 on Page 6.

INSTALLATION NOTES

 Use pipe joint compound on all external threads.

 Do not turn pipe or fittings too tightly into the filter

head or you may break it.

 It is important to have some linear movement in the

house main water pipe. This will allow you to tighten
union fittings without damaging the filter head, if
pipe lengths are not exact.

NOTE: Read the “Grounding Information” on Page 7,

and comply with the instructions if required to
maintain continuity.

INSTALLATION STEPS

1. Close the cold water side shutoff valve. Usually, there

already is a shutoff under the sink. If not, close the
main water shutoff valve near the water meter or pres­sure tank.

2. Cut and remove a section of the cold water pipe.

3. If you are plumbing with flexible tubing, hang or sup-

port the filter housing using the included mounting
bracket. If using rigid pipe, be sure to allow a mini­mum of 2" clearance under the filter for sump removal
when changing the filter cartridge.

4. Use the plumbing procedures on Page 7 if using com-

pression fittings. Follow procedures on Page 8 for
sweat copper and threaded pipe installation. Be sure
water flow is to the filter IN side, and from the OUT
side to the faucet.

NOTE: A grounding jumper wire is not required.

5. Before turning on the water supply, remove the sump

from the filter head and install the filter cartridge (See
Page 10).

Installation - Type D

10

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Filter Cartridge

FILTER CARTRIDGE LIFE

Several variables determine how long a cartridge will
last. These include:

 How much water you use.
 How much sediment, taste and/or odor, or other

unwanted substance, is in the water.

Use the following information as a guide. However, no
matter which type of cartridge you are using, you will
know it is time to replace it when you first notice the
return of the unwanted substance in your water. Filter
cartridges are available from your local Sears store and
www.sears.com.

The filter cartridges require replacement 3 or 4 times a
year when used for whole house filtering. Average car­tridge life when filtering water to one faucet is 6 months
or more. This average time varies depending on the type
of cartridge and water conditions.

SEDIMENT CARTRIDGES: Filtering sediments, you
will know it's time to replace the cartridge when water
pressure drops at house faucets.

TASTE & ODOR CARTRIDGES: Filtering taste and
odor, you will know it's time to replace the cartridge
when the taste and odor returns. If the cartridge is also
for sediment removal, you could notice a pressure drop
before the return of taste and odor.

FILTER CARTRIDGE INSTALLATION/
REPLACEMENT

CAUTION: Never remove the sump with water pressure

in the filter.

1. Close the nearest shutoff valve on the water supply
pipe to the filter. To relieve pressure in the filter, press
the vent valve on top of the filter head (See Figure 14)
or open a cold water faucet after the filter. Some water
may leak out of the vent valve as pressure is being
relieved.

2. Turn the sump to the left to remove from the head (See
Figure 14). Be careful, as the sump is full of water. Do
not lose the large o-ring seal.

3. Be sure the inside of the sump is clean. Thoroughly
wash with warm, soapy water and rinse.

4. Remove the wrapper from the new filter cartridge and
insert the filter cartridge into the sump. Some car­tridges fit either way, while others fit only one way.
Observe markings on the cartridge, or on the wrapper.

5. Lightly lubricate the o-ring seal, in the sump, with sili­cone grease. Be sure it is fully seated in the groove.

6. Hold the sump up to the filter head, aligning the cen-

Figure 14

ter hole in the cartridge with the protrusion on the
bottom of the head.

NOTE: If the sump will not tighten up to the head, you

may have the cartridge in upside down or not
centered in the sump. Take the cartridge out and
check for correct orientation.

7. Being careful not to cross-thread, turn the sump to the

right onto the filter head and tighten securely.

8. Open the sink cold faucet. Then, slowly open the

water supply shutoff valve and allow the filter hous­ing to fill. While it is filling, press the filter vent valve
to release air in the filter.

9. Close the sink faucet. Then, check for leaks between

the sump and the head.

NOTE: If a leak is occurring, turn off the water supply

and open the sink cold faucet to depressurize the
filter (or press the vent valve). Then, remove the
sump and check the o-ring for cuts, flat spots,
etc., and sealing surfaces for foreign material.
Clean the o-ring and lubricate with silicone
grease. Carefully press into the groove in the
sump.

10. Taste and Odor Cartridges: A taste and odor car-

tridge contains activated carbon, a black powder.
When new, open a filtered water faucet and allow
fine carbon particles to purge from the cartridge.
Close the faucet when you no longer see the “fines”
in the filtered water.

11. Retighten the sump 7 days after replacing filter.

Turn to the left

to remove

O-ring Seal

Head

Vent Valve

Filter
Cartridge

Sump

11

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Key No. Part No. Description

1 7295240 O-ring

2

42-34379

Filter Cartridge, Sediment 

42-34378

Filter Cartridge, Taste & Odor 



7295232 Owner’s Manual

Repair Parts

Specifications

Supply water maximum pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .100 psi (689 kPa)

Supply water temperature limits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .40-100 °F (5-40 °C)

Inlet - Outlet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1” NPT

Installations In The Commonwealth Of Massachusetts: The Commonwealth of Massachusetts requires instal­lation be performed by a licensed plumber. Plumbing code 248-CMR of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts
must be followed in these cases.

1

 Filter cartridges are not included. Purchase replacement filter cartridges at your local

Sears store, online at www.sears.com or from Sears Parts at 1-800-469-4663.

 Not illustrated.

2

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