Whether you are using a faucet, pitcher, or whole house water filter, it can be hard to tell when exactly it’s time to change the filter. A worn-out water filter will be less effective at filtering out the various chemicals, minerals, and microbes that may be present in the water supply. This may become apparent to you from changes in the taste or odor of the water, but that is not always the case. Therefore, it’s important to keep track and change the water filter regularly, even if everything seems to be just fine.
How often to change the water filter depends on the filter type and the makeup and quality of your local water source. Below you will find a breakdown of the most common types of filters and how often they should be replaced according to plumbing experts.
A whole-house filtration system is a filter that removes contaminants from water through a filter connected to your water line. That means all water that enters your house will pass through the filter and you will get clean water out of every outlet, including appliances like dishwashers and washing machines.
In general, if your water source is municipal it is recommended to change those filters every six months. However, if your home pulls water from a well, it would probably be best to change your filter every three months, as the water may have excess sediment or iron in it.
One of the telltale signs to change a home filter is a reduction of water pressure throughout your home. As the filter clogs with sediment, it restricts water flow and reduces the gallons per minute it allows into your home. The more significant the clog is, the weaker the water pressure will be.
Replacing these filters can be challenging. An experienced DIYer with a moderate amount of plumbing experience may be able to follow the filter manufacturer’s instructions, but in most cases, the task requires a professional.
Faucet filters are installed directly onto the spout and filter the water as it leaves the tap. Faucet water filters are common all over the world and are considered efficient in removing fluoride, lead, and other contaminants. Unlike whole house filters, they are easy to install and don’t require any complicated plumbing. The one drawback is that they can reduce the flow rate significantly.
How often a faucet filter should be replaced really depends on how busy your household is. A large family will need to replace the filter more often; every three to five months could be necessary. Smaller households will only need a replacement every six months. In any case, double-check what is recommended by the manufacturer of your specific filter.
Water pitchers have many benefits. They are convenient to use, inexpensive to maintain and they filter impurities in tap water by removing chlorine, zinc, copper, cadmium, mercury, and sometimes the metallic taste you just cannot seem to shake. It is important, however, that the filter is changed regularly for the pitcher to be efficient.
Exactly how often you need to replace them depends on how much water you use. On average, it should last about six months or about every 10,000 gallons of water usage. However, if the pitcher is in constant use, it would be a good idea to change it more often.
Share these important tips with others!
You Don’t Need Fancy Gadgets For Cooking or Cleaning!
Once you learn these clever hacks, you will never have to buy another cooking or cleaning gadget.
10 Unexpected Handy Uses for a Hairdryer
The hairdryer is one of the more useful appliances we have - here are 10 unexpected and super handy uses for a hairdryer.
How to Revive a Dying Plant
If you have a dying plant on your hands, don't be too quick to lose hope. Here are 9 tips to revive a dying houseplant.
Neglecting to Clean These Items Can Be DANGEROUS
These items in your home have to be cleaned regularly. Otherwise, they can become a real fire hazard!
Be Aware of These 10 Unexpected Hazards Around the House
Everyday items like mirrors and exercise equipment cause a great number of injuries every year. Here are 10 households hazards to be aware of.
6 Home Security Mistakes to Stop Making Today
These security mistakes make you home an easy target for intruders. This is how to avoid them.
40 Incredibly Useful Things You Can Do with Vinegar
Vinegar is one of the most useful materials in the house...
The 7 Biggest Mistakes People Make With Their Wills
Make sure your heirs get what you want them to get by not making these mistakes.
A Beginner's GUIDE to Sculpting with Clay
This guide will be your comprehensive introduction to the world of sculpting, with a focus on traditional clay modeling.
Olive Oil Has so Many Different Uses - Here Are 25 of Them
Olive oil has so many different uses it's unreal. Here are 25 uses of olive oil that you may not have heard of!
10 Great Money Tips from the World's Most Successful People
People rarely find success by accident. So why don’t you set yourself up for financial success by listening to the following pieces of advice.
Knowing These 12 Things Could Save Your Life One Day
We hope that you’ll never need to use any of these tips, but in case you do, they will help you or others survive 12 life-threatening situations.
16 Survival Gadgets for Any Emergency Situation
These cool gadgets can be extremely useful in any emergency situation.
Who Knew Mustard Had So Many Helpful Uses?
10 uses you may have never known you can put mustard to.
Avoid These Email Clichés and Communicate More Effectively
Watch out for the outdated phrases below and upgrade your email vocabulary with thoughtful and unique sentiments.
Keep Spiders Out of Your Home with This Helpful Guide
Here are nine effective ways to keep spiders out of your home:
11 Things You Should NEVER Dump Into the Kitchen Sink
Even a garbage disposal won’t be able to handle these 11 things, so make sure to toss them directly into the trash instead of the kitchen sink
Waking Up at Odd Hours? Here's What Your Body is Saying
This guide will help you understand how your body systems work and identify any mental challenges you may face.
Have Some Tennis Balls? Do Something Useful With Them!
We will teach you how to convert tennis balls into a massage tool for sore muscles, a hidden safe for valuables, an effective cleaning tool, and more.
These Great Design Tips Will Make Your Home Outstanding!
If you've decided you want to make a change to your home, then here's how you can give it an up-to-date look.
Make Your Life Easier With 20 Brilliant Tips!
A collection of brilliant tips that you can find use for every single day.
7 Cleaning Mistakes Most of Us Still Make
All of these 7 cleaning mistakes are extremely common, and what’s worse, all of them can completely ruin your hard work while cleaning
Spectacular Potted Plants At Home Take Just 11 Easy Steps!
Plants are both beneficial to our health and make our homes look better. Here are 11 easy steps to having fabulous potted plants in your home.
The Best Peeling and Cutting Advice From Expert Chefs
Learn to peel and cut your food in new and beautiful ways.
Eye-Relaxing Tips: Simple and Fast Exercises for Your Eyes
Do your eyes feel strained at the end of the day? These useful exercises will provide some relief.
LIFE HACKS: 30 Practical Uses for Olive Oil!
3o things you can use olive oil for other than cooking with it.
NEVER Do These 7 Things When Using a Power Strip
These are 7 safety tips you should always follow when using a power strip to avoid disaster
Amazing! How Can One Small Tool be So Useful?
18 brilliant ways to use Command Hooks. These will come in handy in the future.
Cucumbers Are Incredibly Versatile: 7 Ways to Use Them
Cucumbers may be nutritious, but they are incredibly versatile too! Here's how you can use cucumbers outside of your salad.
29 Psychological Tricks that Make You Spend More Money!
What are the psychological tactics used by salespeople, marketers, and retailers that make us buy more?
Easy Tutorial: How to Fix a Running Toilet
In this tutorial, you'll learn, in the most straight-forward and practical way, how to fix a running toilet.
Who Knew Bananas Could Have SO Many Uses?
Appearantly, bananas can be used in many more ways than we all thought. Check out these 28 cool household hacks and tricks.
Quick Tip: Clean the Gunk Out of Your Kitchen Cupboards!
A quick tutorial that teaches how to clean your kitchen cupboards without damaging them.
Can't Name that Color? Just Use Our Handy Color Guide...
No more arguing about what color it is, from now on you have all the colors at your fingertips...
These Potatoes Will Definitely Make Your Dish Stand Out
Every great dish needs a great side dish to complement it. These Baked-twice potatoes are such a side dish.
Tutorial: How to Slice EVERY Type of Fruit!
Learn how to slice over 30 different fruit through this easy and fun tutorial video.
10 Household Items You Should Disinfect Every Day
Here is a list of 10 essential household things that you simply must disinfect during the winter months.
How to Help Prepare for a Snow Storm – 11 Vital Steps
Don't let a winter storm take you by surprise. Prepare with these important steps.
Fold a Napkin Into a Rose for a Unique Table Setting
Learn to set a table with napkin folding, giving a unique touch to your dinner table.
How Waking Up at 5.30am Will Change Your Life!
Find out how waking up at 5.30am will have a positive impact on your life.
Psst! Here Are Some Clothes' Tips Few Know About...
These tips will allow you to keep your clothes in as good a condition as new!
Keep the Bedroom Cool in the Summer Heat with These Tips!
Getting a good night's sleep during the hottest summer months doesn't have to be a challenge. With these clever easy tricks, you'll sleep like a baby!
This Little Kitchen Tool Can Do Wonders for Your Skin
we have compiled a list of ten exercises that can help reduce, eliminate, and prevent wrinkles on your facial skin.
We Bet You Didn't Know Bleach Had This Many Different Uses
Bleach is often used to whiten fabrics, disinfect toilets, and clean tiles. However, as you're about to see, bleach has many other alternative uses.
15 Microwave Tips Everyone Should Be Told About
Microwaves can be used even more than you'd imagine. Here are 15 more ways in which you can use your microwave that you probably didn’t know about.
Guide: How to Clean Your Car's Side Mirrors so They Shine
This article provides a detailed guide as to how to best clean your car's side mirrors.
How to Increase Water Pressure in Your Shower: 9 Tips
Is the water pressure really slow in your shower? Here’s what you should do to improve it.