Water entering the house may get contaminated from private or public wells. Nevertheless, the amount and type of pollutants in the water varies depending on several factors. People install filtration systems like whole-house water filters to ensure clean water throughout the house.
Whole-house water filters work by blocking the dirt in the unit while clean water is allowed to leave the system through the outlet. This constant circle of purifying the water and blocking contaminants will eventually cause the filter to get dirty.
Whole-house filters getting dirty is a regular occurrence and shows the filter’s effectiveness. However, it becomes a problem when the filter gets messy fast. Manufacturers typically add an estimated timeframe to change the filter cartridge. If you notice you have to change the cartridge more often than recommended, it may indicate some underlying issues.
Dirty whole-house filter units block the pores and reduce efficiency. If your system gets messy fast, you must figure out the cause and how to fix it. But you don’t have to rack your brain, as we’ll discuss why these filters get dirty fast and their solutions.
Why do Whole-House Water Filters Get Dirty Fast?
To continue getting clean water into your house, you need to pay attention to the rate at which your filter gets dirty. Does it get dirty fast? Find out some of the reasons why this happens below:
1. Poor Water Quality
Highly contaminated water from the source will put a lot of stress on your whole-house water filtration system. There’s a direct relationship between how long your filter lasts and the amount of pollutants in the water. The higher the impurities, the quicker the filter gets dirty.
Poor water quality is a problem that is emerging from the source. Sediments and large particles in the water will quickly block the pores and dirty the filter. When this filter removes the dirt in the water over a short period, it is already dirty.
2. Heavy Usage
Large families and houses that use water will stress the filter, forcing it to clean more water than the average home. When the filter does more work, it works outside the manufacturer’s estimation, so it is normal to get dirty faster.
Consider the amount of water you’re using with the number of persons in your house directly affecting this figure. If you live alone, the water your whole-house filter will need to filter will typically be lower than when living with several others. As long as you’re not wasting water, using much water due to extra people in the building is normal.
3. The Filter is Too Fine
Whole-house water filters with small micron ratings are more efficient, especially when removing smaller contaminants in the water. While this is generally a good idea, removing more impurities means getting dirty faster.
The filter may need to be replaced more often as the fine pores trap a lot of dirt. It would be best if you didn’t move to a larger micron rating due to this issue.
4. Old Pressure Tank
These tanks last several years, so we might forget about their upkeep. As a result, the filter can get messy.
On average, a pressure tank should last about 15 years. However, this can vary depending on the water source and usage. As the tank gets older and if not cleaned regularly, contaminants build up and significantly increase the deposits in the filter.
5. Heavy Rain or Drought
Heavy rainfall or severe drought can cause water filters to get dirty quickly. It’s especially true if you’re using a private well. Heavy rain causes the water level to rise way above the pump. It negatively affects the cleanliness of the water it draws. The same is true during a drought, as the water level falls beyond the optimal pump height and can pull up dirty water.
6. Plumbing Problems
It is common for old plumbing systems to rust or leak from which external contaminants enter the water. Normal wear and tear in the pipes degrade the system. Are the water fixtures in your house old? They may be the cause of your whole-house filter quickly getting dirty.
Solutions For Whole-House Water Filter That Gets Dirty Fast
Does your whole-house water filter get dirty too quickly? It may be due to one or more of the reasons above. Identify the cause of the filter getting dirty before proceeding with a solution. It will help you employ the correct fix and avoid trial and error.
1. Test The Water Quality
Take a sample of the water to a lab for testing, or use a DIY water testing kit to see the quality of your water. You can get a recent water test result from the municipality if you’re using a public source.
You want to identify how clean your water is and its particular impurities. Poor-quality water will quickly dirty the filter; sadly, there’s no remedy. Change the filter more frequently to continue getting clean water.
2. Use a Filter With Better Quality
Even whole-house water filters have grades with some of higher quality than others. More extensive filters with quality will clean for longer without getting dirty. Cheap cartridges often do not have the durability of known brands, so you should stick to quality cartridges when buying replacement pieces.
However, price does not always equate to quality, so you should look out for certifications like NSF seal. The seal indicates the cartridge has been tested and is of high quality.
3. Choose a Bigger Filter
More extensive filters are vital if your water needs have recently increased. Utilizing a larger cartridge improves its efficiency and ensures it stays clean for longer. 20″ cartridge sizes are excellent for upgrading from the standard 10″ filters.
4. Ensure Routine Maintenance
It is easy to forget your maintenance date, especially as it may take a month or more. The best way to ensure routine maintenance is to mark the last date. You improve the longevity of your filter with frequent cleaning. You will remember the set time if you note the date on your calendar and set a reminder for the next scheduled maintenance.
5. Fix a Centrifugal Sand Separator
Filters that get dirty quickly due to large sediment deposits on the cartridges require a system that reduces the sediments before it reaches the filter. Fix a centrifugal sand separator unit to your main water line before the whole house filter.
The idea is to remove the sand and dirt before it reaches the filter. You’ll save money on cartridges as the filter will last longer without getting dirty.
6. Replace Old Pressure Tanks And Plumbing
If your pressure tank is past its lifespan, replacing it will immediately reduce the pressure on the water filter. Replace this tank with a new one every 15 years or lower, depending on other factors. You can also improve the longevity of the previous owner by adding pressure valves and a volume control system.
Find old and damaged plumbing in your house and replace them with new fixtures. It’ll be much easier to discover since you’re interested in the plumbing before the whole-house water filter.
7. Use Coarser Filters
Suppose you do not require a high-efficiency filtration unit. Ditching the fine filter for a coarser filter with significant micron ratings may be beneficial in that case. This option should only be considered if your water uses don’t require pristine water.
FAQ’s
The problem of whole-house water filters picking up dirt too fast is a common issue facing many people. It has raised so many questions begging for answers.
How often should I replace the cartridge in my whole-house water filter?
The ideal replacement period for the cartridge is between 3 to 6 months. The exact time depends on several factors, with manufacturers providing an estimated timeframe.
Can I clean and reuse a whole-house water filter cartridge?
Some cartridges are washable and can be cleaned and reused, while others are “disposable” and shouldn’t be cleaned. Check the manufacturer’s guide to determine which cartridge type is in your filter.
Why do water filters get dirty?
Whole-house water filters get dirty as they block impurities from entering the house. An efficient filtration system will be contaminated over time.
Conclusion
Whole-house water filters get dirty as they block impurities in the unit. However, the rate of dirtiness can be a problem if it happens too quickly. Some prevalent causes of filters getting dirty quickly are old plumbing and pressure tanks, heavy usage, and poor water quality.
Fixing the problem starts with quickly identifying the cause of the filter getting muddled. Various solutions range from routine maintenance to changing old plumbing and more.