When it comes to clean water, a water filter is an essential appliance for any home. But how often should you change your filter? And what happens if you don’t replace it as often as you should?
Using a water filter too long can lead to a number of problems. The first is that the filter will become clogged with contaminants and impurities that have been filtered out of the water. This can reduce the flow rate of your water, making it less efficient and leading to plumbing issues. It can also cause poor tasting and smelling water, as well as the possibility of bacterial growth due to the stagnant nature of the stagnant filtered water in your system.
Another issue that arises when using a filter too long is that some contaminants may begin to leach back into your drinking water supply due to inadequate filtration or clogging. This means that while you may be filtering out some toxins, other harmful chemicals and particles are still entering your drinking supply each time you use the tap or shower. This could potentially lead to health risks from these contaminants over time if not caught soon enough.
Finally, using an old filter for too long can cause damage to other parts of your plumbing system due to decreased flow rate or pressure caused by clogged filters blocking pipes or hoses. This could cause expensive repair bills down the road as well as potential safety hazards from burst pipes or broken parts due to increased pressure caused by blocked filters in certain areas of your home plumbing system.
Overall, it’s important not to use a water filter for longer than necessary in order avoid any potential problems with contamination levels, taste and smell issues, bacterial growth, and damage caused by blocked filters blocking up other parts of your home’s plumbing system. Most manufacturers recommend changing out filters every six months or so depending on usage levels and type of filter used but this should always be double checked before any changes are made in order ensure optimal performance from all appliances connected through these systems