Filtration systems make great features in any home, providing purified water to the household with ease. For consistently high-quality water purification, however, you will need to replace your water filters routinely. In this guide, you can discover how to replace the water filters in your home, whether you have an under-sink filter, a countertop solution, or a whole house system.
The Importance of Water Filter Replacements
As a general rule, water filters are designed to be replaced. To effectively remove contaminants and unwanted materials from your water supply, home water filters will often need to be replaced every few months or so, depending on the system’s requirements.
Over time, working water filters will become clogged with the contaminants that flow through them. At the end of its lifespan, a filter will become far less effective at fully removing contaminants, allowing them to pass through to your water supply once more. Regularly replacing your filters as needed, therefore, can ensure you have a consistently great supply of clean drinking water.
What You’ll Need for Installing Replacements
Before the process of installing a replacement can begin, you will need to prepare yourself. From tools to equipment, there are various types of equipment that you will likely need during the installation process. While not an exhaustive list, discover some essentials that can help you get started with water filter replacements below.
Please note: This is not the case for all filtration systems but rather a general list of tools that may be required. Almost all Hommix water filter systems, countertop and under sink, require ZERO tools for filter replacement.
Wrenches
Water filters must be tightly secured when working, as the pressure of the flowing water can easily knock a loose filter free and allow water to spill or leak out. Specific wrenches, therefore, can help you ensure your water filter is properly installed before you turn your water supply on. Consider having a filter wrench in particular to hand, as these will help you unscrew or tighten a water filter more easily.
Clean Cloths
Replacing a water filter can sometimes be a messy process. The housing that holds the water filter itself can often get dirty over time, so giving it a quick wipe with a clean cloth can help you to prepare it for the new water filter. Cloths can also be great for cleaning up minor spills or helping you to grip a surface more effectively, making them worth having to hand.
Buckets
In some scenarios, you will be easily able to remove your old water filters over a sink, allowing water to easily spill over into the basin. If this isn’t the case, however, likely, you will instead need to source a bucket. Always great to have to hand, buckets can prevent your floors from becoming overly wet.
Clean Water
In every type of water filter replacement process, you will need to turn off your water supply for best results. This being the case, you won’t be able to source any water. Preparing for the process by filling some drinking glasses with water can keep you hydrated, while a bucket of clean water will come in handy for any cleaning that needs to be done during the period in which the supply is shut off.
A Compatible Filter
Undoubtedly, the most important thing to have when replacing your water filter is the filter itself. Your chosen filter must be compatible with your filtration system, as the incorrect filter is highly unlikely to fit or perform the job correctly. You can ask your supplier for help if you feel unsure of which filter you might need, as they will be able to provide you with expert recommendations.
Key Steps for Replacing Under-Sink Water Filters
Under-sink water filters are handy for providing water out of one tap in particular, making them especially great for kitchens. In this section, you can discover how to properly replace under-sink filters, ensuring they are fully functional.
Turn Off the Water Supply
Before touching your under-sink water filtration system, it’s important to turn off the water supply. Without doing so, you will likely find that the water in your supply will make its way out during the replacement process, leading to a large mess.
After turning off the supply, you will need to relieve the water pressure by letting out any leftover water currently in the system. The best way to do this is to turn a tap on, allowing the water to flow until there is no longer any water remaining.
Remove the Old Filter
Once you’re confident your water supply is off and the pressure has been relieved, you can begin the process of removing the old filter. The filter wrench can help you to loosen it, but remember to go slowly to prevent any damage from occurring. While you’re here, it’s worth checking over the tubing that connects the filter. Worn or damaged tubing can lead to leaks under your sink that might go undetected until damage has been caused.
Fit and Secure
Finally, you can begin to get your new water purifier installed. Most replacement filters for under-sink systems will have arrows, showing the direction the water should flow through the system. Make sure to align the tubing with these arrows, as the filter is unlikely to be effective if the water is flowing incorrectly in the filter.
Key Steps for Replacing Countertop Water Filters
Countertop reverse-osmosis systems are fantastic for providing clean water, with a stylish and easy-to-use design. To remain beneficial to a household, however, the filters within will need to be replaced. While each manufacturer will have their own set of steps for replacing countertop water filters, which can typically be found in their instructions, here are a few general guidelines that can help you get started.
Turn Off the Water Supply
As with under-sink systems, before replacing the filter in your countertop water filtration system, you should always turn off the water supply. Accidents and water spillages on your countertops can be frustrating, and often lead to damage of any other items on your countertop, so prepare for the worst by first turning off the water supply.
Remove Old Filter Cartridges
Once the water supply has been turned off, you can get started with removing and replacing your water filter. Most countertop systems will require you to remove the base, where the filters are fitted. Doing this over a sink or other open basin can help to catch any water that is found inside. You should then be able to remove any filters, and give the open cavity in your system a good wipe down.
Fit New Filters and Tighten
Once the space is free and clean for your new filters, you should be able to insert your replacement water filters. To make sure no leaks will happen, you should make sure to tighten the filters into place, first with your fingers alone and then with a wrench or other relevant tool. This will help to ensure the fit is truly secure.
Flush Out the System
Once your new filters are installed, it’s time to flush out the system. This will help to remove any loose particles within your filter, and prevent them from entering the water you will be drinking. Simply run some water through the filtration system and discard.
Key Steps for Replacing Whole House Water Filters
Also known as point-of-entry filtration systems, house whole water filtration systems are incredibly useful and effective at supplying an entire property with clean water. To keep them working properly, routine water filter replacements are a must. Discover the key steps to replacing a point-of-entry water filter yourself.
Turn Off the Water Supply
As with each other filtration system, the most important thing to do before replacing a whole house water filter is to shut off the water supply. Once the water supply is turned off, you should open one of your taps. This will help the water pressure release, and prevent spillages during the replacement process.
Remove the Old Filter
Once the water supply is turned off, you can remove the old whole-house system water filter. At this point, it’s often worth inspecting the housing for your filter to ensure that it’s still in good condition. Look for any cracks, leaks, or signs of wear and tear, as these could compromise the system's integrity and lead to future problems.
Fit the New Filter
After you have determined whether your filter housing is still in good condition, you should be able to start replacing your water filter. These should be easy to fit, as you need to lightly screw the filter in with your fingers, and then use a water filter wrench.
Slowly Turn On the Water Supply
After you have fitted your filter, you can get your water supply up and running once more. When turning your water supply back on, you should do so slowly and carefully to prevent any overflowing if your filter is looser than it should be. Once your supply is fully turned on once more, your water filter should be ready to use.
Hommix: Trusted Water Filter Suppliers
If you need to replace your water filter or install a new filtration system in your home, trust Hommix to supply everything you need. As specialists in water filtration, we offer a vast range of products, from tri-flow taps to countertop reverse-osmosis filtration units. For each system we offer, we can also supply you with water filter replacements, ensuring your water supply is properly purified at all times.
Please visit our website to discover more about us and the filtration systems we offer at Hommix UK Ltd. Here, you can shop our products directly on our online store. Alternatively, if you need further advice and support, please get in touch with our friendly team today.
