Water filters are beneficial and often necessary additions to many water systems. Whether you have a large filter for your home or just a small one for your pitcher, it helps keep your drinking water clean and healthy.

But how do you know if your water filter is actually keeping your water clean? When is it time to change it? Here are some key factors to consider for when to change your filter.

Type of Water Filter Systems

How often you change your water filter depends heavily on what type of filter you have.

A whole house water filter cleans the water as it enters your house. Many people with wells use this, but it is also used to filter municipal water as it enters your home. Replacement water filters should be swapped out every six months, but you may require more frequent changes if your water source has a lot of sediment (as is common with well water).

A water filter pitcher cleans the water as you fill a pitcher from a sink or tap. How often you should change it varies a lot depending on your water quality and the type of filter you have for your pitcher. Many of these pitchers have instructions for how often to change them, and some even come with a dial that tells you when it’s time to change them.

Refrigerator filters are very common and clean the water for ice and for the tap attached to some refrigerators. These types of filters are very important to change regularly, as they can cause contamination if they are too old or leaky. Finding a refrigerator filter can sometimes be tricky, but it’s important to change it at least every six months.

What to Look For

It’s important to keep an eye on your water quality and your filter to see whether anything needs replaced or fixed. You can’t always rely just on the timeframe given in the instructions!

Your frequency of filter replacement can change a lot with your home’s water quality. Some homes have much higher sediment levels or bacterial contamination, which will overwhelm filtration systems much faster.

If you start noticing funny tasting water or a buildup of sediment in your glasses, it’s probably past time to change your filter! Don’t wait any longer; you need to get that fixed right away before your water makes you or your family sick. If you’re getting sick even when your filters have been replaced, it may be time to look at getting the best water filter instead of the bare minimum.

Don’t Wait!

Now that you have a bit of an idea for when to change your water filter, don’t hesitate to get it done! The longer you wait, the greater your chances of your filter doing nothing to keep you healthy and safe.

And while you’re at it, be sure to check out our website for other important tips and tricks to keep your home in order. We’re here to help!