When to Change the Filters at Your Home?
“Thousands have lived without love, not one without water.”
This is a famous quote from a renowned British-American poet W. H. Auden. But if we must drink to stay alive, why not get clean, clear, filtered water? Fortunately, more health-conscious American families agree and have continued to embrace filtration systems to safely enjoy their water daily.
However, water filtration systems are not a one-fix solution for healthy drinking water. The filters need to be maintained and changed regularly to ensure they continue to work as expected. But how do you know when to change the filters in your home?
Knowing when to change your water filters is quite easy. In this article, we’ll offer tips on the signs you should look out for when your filter replacement is due. Additionally, we’ll provide a step-by-step guide on how to replace the filters and highlight the lifespan of different filter types to ensure you stay on top of maintenance.
Signs It’s Time to Change Your Water Filter
Here are some early signs to change water filters:
Changes in Taste, Smell, or Appearance
One importance of filter replacement is its ability to trap certain harmful chemicals that cause an odor or smell from getting to the main house line. But when the filters are choked, they become less effective, allowing impurities that cause bad tastes or smells to slip into the supply.
Also, filtered water should be colorless and transparent. So, if it is not, it could indicate the presence of impurities. In this case, you may notice a cloudy appearance or turbidity when holding a full glass of water against the sunlight, making it unsafe for drinking.
Slow Water Flow
When filters are clogged with impurities, especially with high TDS (Total Dissolved Solids) levels, you will notice a slow flow. For this reduced water pressure, replace the filters to get your guaranteed filtered supply.
Filter Replacement Indicators
Filter replacement indicators estimate how much service life is left by measuring flow rate, level of contamination, time the filter has been used, or the volume processed. The indicators get activated when a change of filters is due. So, if your purifier shows any signs, have it replaced immediately.
Higher TDS Levels
When the filters start wearing out, your water may taste salty, feel hard, and even leave white stains on the drinking glass; that’s a sign of high TDS levels (Total Dissolved Solids). You can check your TDS levels with a TDS meter and change the filters if there is a significant increase in TDS levels.
Brown Scaling or Sediments
A reliable filtration system should produce clean water free from dirt or harsh sediments. These filters are designed to trap particles like mud, dirt, and solid substances. However, when it’s time to change filters, water purifiers begin to perform less optimally, allowing brown scales or sediments into the water supply.
How to Replace Your Water Filter?
The importance of filter maintenance lies in its ability to trap harmful contaminants, ensuring the water is clean and safe to drink. But with time and regular usage, it may become clogged and less efficient, requiring frequent replacement as suggested by the manufacturer.
You can perform your replacement in a few simple steps. Start by identifying the filter you have, as each type often has a unique replacement process. Then turn off the water supply to your system while you replace the filter.
After shutting the supply, carefully remove the old filter and install the new one correctly and securely. You can now turn the supply back on and let the water run for a while to flush out any air or debris that may have accumulated during installation.
Check for leaks in the system and fix them immediately to prevent damage and conserve water.
Tools Needed for Filter Replacement
According to Emmert Wolf, “A man is only as good as his tools.” With the right tools, filter replacement is quicker and easier. So for a proper replacement, you’ll need the following essential tools:
- Replacement pre-filter
- Filter housing wrench
- Bucket
- Towels
- Plumber’s silicone grease (not sealant)
- Waterproof gloves.
Step-by-Step Guide for Replacing Your Water Filter
You can follow these step-by-step guides to learn how to replace water filters:
| Step | Action |
|---|---|
| 1 | Close the main water shut-off valve and the outlet valve between the filtration system and the house (if your system has it.) This will prevent water from draining back from your house. |
| 2 | Push and hold the pressure release button on top of the filter housing. |
| 3 | Use the housing wrench to remove the housing and pour the water in the housing into a bucket. |
| 4 | Since the housings often collect dirt and bacteria, clean the inside with warm soapy water. Then rinse and dry the housing. |
| 5 | Now, place the replacement pre-filter in the housing and ensure it is seated. |
| 6 | Apply a thin layer of the plumber’s silicone grease on the housing’s rubber gasket. |
| 7 | Use your hands to screw the housing back before tightening it with the filter housing wrench. |
| 8 | After screwing the housing, you can turn on the inlet and outlet valves and check for leaks. |
| 9 | If there are leaks, quickly turn off the supply and tighten every connection. |
| 10 | Now, slowly open the supply and valves leading away from the unit. |
| 11 | Open faucets to flush the filter for a few minutes to purge air from your plumbing. |
| 12 | As soon as the pressure and flow rate return to normal, close all faucets, and that’s it! |
The Lifespan of Different Types of Filters
On average, you should replace the filters in your filtration system once every 2-12 months. However, depending on their size and type, some filters last longer. Let’s explore the lifespan of different water filters:
Pitcher Filters
Pitcher filters do not last as long as other types because they’re small and use gravity filtration. As soon as they become clogged, the flow rate drops to a drip. Most pitchers need filter replacements every 2-4 months.
Faucet Filters
These filters are powered by water pressure and are small, just like pitcher filters, with a filter replacement frequency of 2-4 months.
Whole House Filters
Water filters for the whole house are installed at your main supply line and feature the biggest filter cartridges. The average whole house filter system requires filter replacements every 6, 9, or 12 months.
Refrigerator Filters
Refrigerator filters are small and compact, so they have relatively short lifespans. In-line refrigerator filters last longer (about 6 months) than integrated or built-in refrigerator models (2-4 months).
Under-Sink Filters
Under-sink filter systems often work with the best apartment water filters, including sediment, carbon, and polishing filters, all with different lifespans. While sediment pre-filters have the shortest lifespan of about 3-6 months, carbon filters can last around 9 months, and polishing filters last 9-12 months. On average, the under-sink system filters last 6-12 months.
Shower Filters
Shower filters are small and compact to blend with the shower unit and are powered by water pressure. Most shower filters last about 6 months, but some may need replacement every 2 months.
Reverse Osmosis Filters
The reverse osmosis (RO) system often has four filters: a sediment filter, a carbon filter, a reverse osmosis membrane, and a carbon polishing filter.
The reverse osmosis membrane typically lasts the longest, with an average lifespan of 2 years. However, the frequency of filter changes depends on the regular replacement of the sediment pre-filter every 6 months. The carbon filter lasts about 9 months, and the carbon polishing filter lasts around 12 months. On average, the filters in a reverse osmosis system last 6 months to 2 years.
Maintaining Your Water Filters
To maintain a healthy and hydrated household, it’s essential to keep track of when your filters need to be replaced. Ignoring the replacement schedule can lead to clogged filters, reduced water flow, and compromised water quality. By staying proactive about filter maintenance, you ensure that your filtration system continues to provide clean and safe drinking water for your home.
If you find it challenging to remember when to replace your filters, consider enrolling in a filter replacement service. Some companies offer subscription services that automatically ship replacement filters to your home based on your filter’s lifespan, helping you stay on top of maintenance effortlessly.
Although water filters produce clean water for your health, home, and family, you must know when to change filters for an effective water filtration system. You can continue to access clean water if you follow the replacement steps. However, if you prefer the services of experts, Filterway is a trusted water filtration company that offers professional filter replacement services. Contact our consultants today to check, replace, or install a reliable water filter
