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Many homeowners believe their tap water is safe and healthy, but this is not always the case. Even if it appears and tastes nice, tap water frequently contains pollutants. While some contaminants are generally harmless, others are toxic or damaging to appliances and fixtures. Filtration requirements differ from family to household based on the pollutants in the water and how members of the household consume water.
The best water filter system is one that can last for many years. However, no matter how often you inspect it, the system will deteriorate over time. Hence, understanding when to replace your system is crucial to avoid inconvenience. Here are several signs that it is time to replace your water filter system.
1. Tap Water Has An Odor Or Has Bad Taste
Toxins, pollution, and chemicals infiltrate your water pipes and eventually into your drinking water. Although your city’s water utility regulates these, the odor or taste they produce may cause you to avoid drinking the water. Typical pollutants in tap water include chlorine, sulfur, and heavy metals.
Use your senses to examine the water’s quality. The sight, taste, odor, and even feel of your water can all indicate the presence of excessive chemicals and pollution. Some harmful compounds are not visible to the human eye. A new and effective water filtration system can help keep your water safe and cut some of your expenses. You can read more about why filtration is cost effective by checking out credible sources if you want to learn more.
2. Your Clothes Appear Soiled After Washing
Have you tried every detergent on the market but still had trouble keeping your white clothes white and your colorful ones bright? The problem may not be with your washer or detergent but with the nature of your home’s water. Iron-rich water can leave light-colored clothing with a rusty hue whereas hard water can dull and gray garments.
If your washed clothes show either color regularly, an under-sink filter will not suffice. To remove iron, minerals, silt, and other contaminants that cause garments to appear dingy, you will need to improve your entire home’s water treatment system. A whole-house filter is installed on the main water supply pipe that enters your home, and because it filters all of the water in your home, you will have better drinking water, as well as cleaner, brighter clothing.
3. Your Water Filter Reached Its Expiry Date
A water filter’s expiration date, or predicted shelf life, is set for a reason. And exceeding it may increase your exposure to aesthetic pollutants or possibly harmful elements in the water. Certain water filters also contain bacteria-killing chemicals, and utilizing them after their expiration date may expose you to more of them even if you haven’t used them much.
In general, you will probably consume a water filter before it expires. It’s because rising TDS or total suspended sediments (TSS) concentrations in your water may shorten its life expectancy. Let’s face it: If you’re still filtering water after your water filter’s expiration date, it’s unlikely that it’s working at total capacity.
4. You’re Experiencing Constant Low Water Pressure
The best water filtration system should be capable of removing toxins and impurities from your drinking water, making it safer for you and your family. If you’ve noticed low water pressure in your home, it’s likely that your system’s filters aren’t working correctly.
If the flow rate of your water filter system diminishes, it’s time to replace the cartridges. The decrease in flow rate is caused by contaminants becoming trapped in the filter medium, blocking it to the point that water cannot pass through. As a result, the flow rate declines, indicating the need for replacement.
5. Your Filtration System Is Damaged Beyond Repair
A water filter will occasionally break, so it should be replaced as soon as possible. Water filters are typically damaged during installation or thorough cleaning. Failing to turn off a system when flushing and having specific filters that may wear out with routine use are factors too. Furthermore, hot water passing through the water filter can cause damage. Polyester and woven polypropylene reverse osmosis filters are more vulnerable to hot water damage than natural string or cellulose reverse osmosis filters.
Even allowing water filters to freeze can result in damage. You can see them commonly when an in-line filter, reverse osmosis system or an under-sink system is left with water inside, which expands during the freezing process. This can lead to mechanical damage to the filters, which will be apparent. Moreover, freezing can cause microcracks in sediment filters and carbon blocks, rendering them ineffective.
Takeaway
Water filter systems cleanse water by eliminating harmful pollutants and other contaminants. When the system’s life expectancy is reached, it will automatically shut down, which you will detect immediately by the quality of the water. Whether you want to replace an old water filter or buy a new one, the market offers plenty of options.
