All household water purification systems have filter cartridges that require periodic replacement. The quality of water consumed by a person depends on its timeliness.
How to understand that it is time to change the filter
The quality of water that has passed through the filter depends on its efficiency. Drinking liquid that has been filtered through a cartridge that has reached the end of its service life can hurt human health.
Devices produced as nozzles for a water tap have a shorter service life than stationary flow systems. However, several common signs tell you how often to change a water filter.
It’s time to do this if:
- The taste or smell of the liquid changes. A person who regularly drinks purified water will always distinguish its taste and smell from the taste and smell of the liquid flowing in the water pipes. A change in organoleptic indicators indicates a decrease in the filtering capacity of the cartridge installed in the water treatment system and the need to replace it by contacting any affordable RO repair service.
- When boiling purified water, scale forms on the dishes. This signal indicates that the filter is not able to remove calcium and magnesium impurities. They are the cause of scale. In this case, the filter cartridge also requires replacement.
- The water pressure decreases. Impurities dissolved in the liquid gradually settle on the filter elements and prevent moisture from passing through the cartridge. This rule applies to both household faucet attachments and reverse osmosis water treatment systems.
Frequency of replacement of cartridges of different models
The frequency of replacing cartridges in water treatment systems varies. Household filter jugs “Barrier” or “Aquaphor”, equipped with carbon cartridges, require monthly replacement of devices. The instructions that come with each filter cartridge indicate the volume of liquid it is designed for.
A large family should use a flow-through water filter. Which removes not only mechanical, and chemical impurities, bacteria, and viruses from liquid, but also improves the organoleptic properties of water. Its replaceable cartridges must be updated once every 3 months. Many models of stationary water purification systems have a detachable body and do not require special maintenance. When choosing such a water treatment unit, the family will be able to independently replace the filter elements when they have exhausted their service life.
Reverse osmosis water treatment systems have several filtration levels at once. Each of them is characterized by a service life. The replacement periods for filters that perform mechanical purification of liquid from impurities are 4-6 months and depend on the intensity of operation of the water treatment system.
The water softening unit is subject to regeneration.
It can be restored using a solution of sodium salts. The unit in which the liquid is purified from iron compounds is also subject to restoration. To do this, it is washed with an aqueous solution of potassium permanganate. The filter that removes calcium and magnesium salts from the liquid can be cleaned using food vinegar or simply contact any RO service near me.
The membrane in the reverse osmosis unit is not subject to restoration. The pores through which it filters liquid are the size of water molecules. They are smaller than particles of any other substance. The service life of such a membrane is 2 years. However, it increases to 5 years if the water purification system does not operate at full capacity, or, on the contrary, decreases to 1 year if the reverse osmosis filter is used intensively.