Filtered water can be delicious! However, recognizing when it’s time to change your filter isn’t always easy. Water filters have a stated lifespan (in gallons or months of use), but they are usually “best-case scenarios,” and you may need to replace your water filter sooner. Here are some of the most obvious signs you need to replace your water filter cartridges.
Bad Odor
Bad scents or aromas in your drinking water, such as chlorine or sulfur (and an accompanying rotten egg smell), can occur from a variety of sources. However, if your water filter isn’t getting rid of them, you’ll need to replace it.
Floaty Bits and Black Mold
In your filtered water, you may have observed “floaty pieces” or black mold. Black mold is a type of fungus that can cause a variety of health issues. If you notice mold in your filtered water, you’ll need to thoroughly clean the entire water unit and replace the filter, as mold spores will most likely be present.
Slippery Water
When you touch your filtered water between your fingers, it should feel slippery. This indicates that the water is soft. If your main’s water is generally soft but still feels slippery after filtering, your filter is no longer doing its job and needs to be changed.
Metallic Taste and Scale Buildup
A buildup of minerals such as calcium and magnesium causes hard water, which can leave a scaly deposit on or in your water filter. Additionally, if your filtered water has begun to taste metallic, this is an indication of hard water, and it is likely time to replace the filter.
High Gallon Usage
This one should go without saying, but if you use your household’s water filter frequently, the filters will wear out much faster. If you have a large household, you should replace the filter based on the number of gallons used rather than the number of months it is predicted to last.
We hope this article has helped you recognize the signs you need to replace your water filter cartridges. If you are looking to install a filter system in your home, make sure you know everything you should about RO systems and replacement cartridges.
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