When Should I Change My Water Filter?

Water filters are crucial to maintaining a healthy life. Impure water has far hazardous effects than just stomach upsets. Continuous intake of contaminated water affects the brain resulting to low IQ and poor performance at school for kids.

By purchasing even a low-end water filter, your family will be safe from the adverse effects of chlorine, lead, and other contaminants.

With time, your water filtration system will need maintenance and replacement. Water filters hold back solid sediments, chlorine, fluorides, and other metallic elements. Most of these contaminants are corrosive in nature, and if left in your filter for a long time, it will falter, and that means you will be using contaminated water.

When to change water filters

When exactly do I need to change my water filter? Different filters take a different time to wear out. Despite their quality, how frequently you use them affects their efficiency.

For instance, if you have a large family where large amounts of water are drawn for washing, drinking, and bathing, you will need to change your filters often than those who use less water.

Besides the frequency, the quality of water too determines when and how often you will need to change your filter. Those who get water from water companies (already filtered) may take a considerably longer time to change their water filters than those whose water contains more sediments.

Generally, a fridge water filter provides pure water for about six months before its filter needs to be replaced. However, if you filter processed large amount of water or water with more than average contaminants, you may need to replace it sooner.

Faucet and pitcher filters should be changed after two months of use while whole house carbon filters can serve for 3-6 months before they degrade. However, whole house water filters that process gallons of water should be replaced sooner than the recommended time.

Use the right replacement filter cartridge

Filtration systems come in different sizes and shapes. When looking for a filtration cartridge, ensure it is certified and can exactly fit into the system. Any slightest difference can result in some water going around the filter gadget instead of going through it.

Additionally, it is essential that you buy cartridges that are certified or recommended by the manufacturers. Sub-par filter cartridges will partially filter your water which is as good as not filtering it at all.

After all, it only takes a few microbes to make your whole water unsuitable for drinking. To ensure you get the best water quality, change your filter at the recommended time.

When do you know when your filter needs changing?

• Advanced models have a flashlight that turns yellow as an early warning and red when the filter is completely useless.
• Changes in water odor and taste can tell when the filter needs to be changed.
• When water starts to flow at an unusually low speed, that’s an indication that sediments are clogging the filter holes and it’s time to change it.

Water filter changing

It’s easier to change filters for simpler filtration systems like pitcher and faucets. However, complex systems such as whole house filters should be left to experts. Here are a few steps you can follow to change a filter from entry basic and semi-advanced filters:

• Turn the water
• Hold the head firmly and rotate the cartridge toward the left
• Once “unscrewed” detach the cartridge from the head
• Put the new cartridge in place, and return the head to the top and fasten it by turning it towards the right until it can’t move further.
• Turn water back on

Wrap up

Water filtration systems last quite a long time, but the nature of their work renders their filters useless after some time. Once you start noting a change in water pressure, taste, odor or any other unusual character, it may be time to change your filters.

Some filters are equipped with an indicator light that flashes yellow when the filter starts to degrade and red when it’s completely exhausted.

Try to obtain the same filter grade from the nearby store or make an early order from the manufacturer to continue enjoying the benefits of cleaner and tastier water.