Three Signs You Should Replace Your Water Filter Cartridge

Your home water filtration system ensures that you get crystal clear, great tasting water flowing from your taps – but what happens when it’s time to change the filter cartridge? While manufacturer guidelines indicate the maximum amount of time a water filter cartridge is good for, they are not necessarily the only indication of when your cartridge needs changing, as this will depend on your unique situation.

Some systems will notify you of the need for a water filter cartridge change with an alert light on the system, or a notification to your smart phone, but there are also warning signs that are a little more obvious – read on to learn more.

What Are The Signs That A Water Filter Cartridge Needs Replacing?

While there are plenty of ways in which your system can let you know you should replace your water filter cartridge, the following three are the most common:

Reduced Flow

One of the first and most obvious signs that you should replace your water filter cartridge is if you find that your water flow rate has dropped. Decreased flow within the home is a common byproduct of a clogged or old water filter cartridge, as debris prevents  water from being able to pass through your home water filtration system as it should. An easy way to understand this is to consider your filter to be similar to your vacuum cleaner – when the bag of your vacuum is full, it loses suction. A filter cartridge that’s full of gunk and other things it has removed from your water also loses flow.

Not only is this annoying for you and the other occupants of the house, but it’s also dangerous for your filter. This is because a clogged filter means all other aspects of your system have to work harder which will decrease efficiency and can even lead to premature wear on your components or even complete system failure.

Sensory Impacts

Another common sign that it’s time to replace your water filter cartridge is if you’re noticing a difference in the water that comes out of your taps. For example, strange smells, visible sediment, an undesirable taste or a slimy feeling are all clear indicators that your home water filtration system is struggling.

If you’re seeing sediment particles in the water coming out of your taps, this points towards an issue in the physical filtration portion of your system. Perhaps a filter with a smaller micron rating is needed to catch all contaminants in the water coming to your property, but if your home water filtration system was previously removing all visible particles but is now failing to do so, it’s a clear sign you need to replace your filter cartridge.

Changes to the flavour, scent or texture of the water that comes out of your taps indicates that your carbon filter (the part that acts like a sponge for contaminants rather than a physical barrier) has reached its capacity. When this happens your home water filtration system can no longer remove chlorine or other contaminants that impact taste and smell and you will begin to notice them.

You’re Past Your Replacement Window

Finally, although even if everything seems fine, manufacturers recommend replacement timeframes for hygiene and efficiency purposes. Regardless of whether you’re experiencing issues with flow or sensory impacts, filters become less effective over time which means lower quality water is entering your home.

The standard lifespan for a water filter cartridge is anywhere between three and eighteen months depending on the quality and amount of water entering the system and the type of filtration you’re completing. While some filters can be cleaned and used for longer timeframes, this depends on the type of system within your home, so it is vital to follow the replacement schedule set out by whoever made your home water filtration system.

Now that you’re aware of how your home water filtration system will let you know that you should replace your water filter cartridge, it’s time to take a look at your maintenance schedule and ensure it suits your needs.

If you want any guidance, need to purchase a new filter cartridge for your system, or simply want to be sure everything is running as it should, reach out to your local Irrigear independent expert for personalised advice and solutions.