Now that we have covered the basics, here are some additional points to keep in mind before you buy any type of water filter:
- Your drinking water source: municipal or well water;
- The water quality in your home as it results from testing;
- Water filtration technology most capable to deal with the most prevalent water contaminants in your home;
- The installation of a water filter as point of entry or point of use, depending on your needs;
- Type of water filter that is best for your home depending on the device’s size and functionality;
- Tech specs and features of the water filter in accordance with what you need it to do;
- The environmental impact of the water filter – mild with the environment and capable of reducing the use of plastic bottled water;
- Warranty and maintenance.
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Water Filters’ Maintenance
You bought a water filter. Now what? The hardest part is over but there is still one important aspect to remember: maintenance. Without proper maintenance, your filter becomes more susceptible to needing repairs down the road. And over time, repair costs add up. Here are some factors to consider for maintaining your unit:
How Long Does a Water Filter Last?
A water filter can last from 1 month to 5 years. It all depends on the type of filtration technology you use, its size, tech specs, and the quantity of water it filters. Most manufacturers specify the life expectancy of their filters. You can usually find this in months/years, gallons, or both.
However, recommended filter replacement times are just that- recommendations. This means that you will want to adjust this increment to your lifestyle. If your family uses more than 100 gallons of water/person/day, you will replace the filters more frequently. Reverse osmosis filters and whole home filters usually have longer life expectancy.
The good news is that modern filters like water filter pitchers or countertop filters also display the time before you need to make the next filter replacement. Some use electronic digital displays, others just simple mechanical displays you need to set on your own. Regardless, you have to change the filter, the ion-exchange medium, or the AA beads medium when the time comes. Otherwise, you will have some problems.
What Happens If You Don’t Change the Water Filter?
As you use your filter, it wears out. As the system loses its capacity to filter the water efficiently, you will first notice that your water starts to smell and taste bad again. You may also see impurities in the water, channeled by the filter overloaded with sediment, pollutants, and contaminants.
If the water starts to smell bad, imagine what goes on inside the filter. It is now susceptible to bacterial growth, clogging, and malfunctions. Smaller filters are easy to handle because you can replace the entire filter. However, under no circumstance should you ignore such issues when it comes to whole house filters, reverse osmosis filters orWater softeners. The damages may be worth thousands of dollars in repairs and replacements.
How do You Change a Water Filter Cartridge in a Whole House Water Filter?
Usually, water filters come in cartridges that you can replace when the time comes. They feature O-Rings you need to remove carefully. To change your cartridge you will need to prepare the following:
- Necessary tools
- Teflon tape to avoid leaks
- A bucket to collect the water left in the system
- A lot of patience.
Before you start, you will want to secure your area. Make sure you turn off the water flow in the entire house here is where the bypass valve comes in handy. Keep in mind to dispose correctly of the old water filter after you replaced it. Some manufacturers and even retailers collect used filters for recycling or proper disposal.
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