If you want to ensure your home’s water is safe to drink and use, you should get a whole house water filter. It needs frequent servicing, just as many important appliances do. While the lifespan of a whole home water filter is significantly greater than that of a point-of-use filter, it is still necessary to repair some components at regular intervals.
A whole house water filter requires a minimum of 5 minutes of flushing time. Put the water back on the tap to turn on the filter, and let it run for five minutes. This kills any bacteria or other microbes that may have settled in.
What will happen if I don’t change the filter in my whole house water filter system?
The purpose of a whole house water filter is to purify the water supply by removing contaminants. They vary in size from rust and sediment fragments, which are huge particles, to lead and chlorine, which are smaller contaminants. The filter’s capacity to remove contaminants from your water will diminish as the media gets clogged with these contaminants over time.
Water quality might be compromised if a whole house water filter system isn’t replaced on a regular basis. For instance, you might notice a change in the odor or taste of your water. Also, the water flow rate could decrease when there’s a clog in your filter. Failure to replace the filter may lead, in severe instances, to introducing new contaminants into your water supply.
What filters should you replace?
Complexity abounds in a whole house water filter. In order to give your home safe, clean water, it typically comes with a number of different filters. An array of filtering technologies, including salt-free water softeners, activated carbon, UV, sub-micron-post, copper-zinc, and mineral stone filters, can be included in your home’s water filtration system.
The pre-sediment filter is an integral part of any whole house water filter. One of the initial filters that water goes through is the pre-sediment filter. Silt, rust, and sediment are all eliminated.
Depending on its volume, you need to replace the tank every 3 to 10 years, regardless of the filters that make up your whole house water filter system.
Maintenance of a whole house water filter
Central water filtration systems like Brita and Whirlpool are very low-maintenance. The built-in filter is set to self-clean every fourteen days. Instead of buying and installing a new filter, it cleans, flushes, and drains the old one.
Unless the weather turns bad or you don’t use the filter for more than a month, you only need to maintain a water filtration system when the weather turns bad.
Inspecting regularly
Make sure to check your whole house’s water filter regularly. As part of these checks, make sure the filter housings are clean, look for any signs of leakage, and evaluate the filter cartridges’ condition. This could be necessary monthly or annually, depending on the water usage.
Extra simple things to do when maintaining a whole house water filter
Consider performing these additional maintenance tasks and updating your whole house water filter.
- Maintenance before a Vacation
You should turn off your system if you will be absent for a long time. The last thing you want to find when you get home is a burst water filter as a result of pressure buildup or a blockage. Avoid putting yourself in danger that way, even if your system contains a valve that limits pressure.
- Regular Cleaning Routine
Maintaining a clean whole house water filter will extend its life and improve its performance. Take out the housing unit and wash it with warm water and a mild cleaning agent once a year or so. Also, clean the sediment pre-filter if your model has one.
Prevent a whole house water filter from freezing
Take precautions, particularly in cold weather, to ensure that your whole home water filter does not freeze if it is outdoors. The filter housing could suffer damage or leak due to freezing. Doing at least one of the following will keep things from freezing:
- Take out all the hoses and drain the system before winter hits.
- Cover the device with an insulating blanket or tarp.
- Transfer the setup to a warmer location.
Key Takeaways
If your house filter is cartridge-based, change it every three to one year. To keep your home’s water quality intact, replacement is necessary on a regular basis.
In general, to change the cartridge in a whole house water filter, follow these steps:
- Turn off the water main, empty the tank, and let the pressure in the system go.
- Take the filter housing and unscrew it.
- Take the old filter element out.
- Inspect the O-ring.
- Put the housing back in place and insert the fresh cartridge.
- Make sure there are no leaks by turning on the water supply again.
Clean the housing unit periodically using a mild cleaning solution in addition to replacing the filter cartridges.
Conclusion
Despite the occasional cleaning, a whole house water filter is an investment worth making for the long haul. The process eliminates potentially harmful metals and chemicals and increases the longevity of your plumbing and appliances. This water system maintenance checklist is a must-have for anyone concerned about the quality of their drinking water. Contact the professionals at Express Drainage Solutions right away if you have any questions regarding the advantages of a whole house water filter.