How To Replace Under Sink Water Filter Cartridge

I have replaced a whole-business firm water-filter sediment cartridge, and information technology was easier than I thought it would exist. Hither'south how I did it.

Why Utilise a Whole Firm Filtration System?

"OH, CULLIGAN MAN!"

When a home is running off of a safely treated private well or your water has a loftier mineral and debris content, you tin find an abundance of minerals, sediment, and even iron in your drinking, bathing, and cooking h2o that needs to be filtered out. In the past, many people bought a whole-house filtration system and installed it just for this purpose.

We ran across one of these backdrop and discovered it was well beyond time to change the sediment cartridge, so we decided to take on the claiming. Being our first attempt at such a matter, we took pictures of our adventure. Changing a water-sediment cartridge was a pretty easy task, even for first-timers similar us; this is how nosotros did information technology.

Home Plumbing Made Easy — Home Plumbing Fabricated Easy

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Water Filter Cartridge Replacement Guide

Following the written preview of steps 1 through 7 listed hither, a flick-by-picture guide will take you lot through the filter-modify process i pace at a time with easy-to-follow directions for each photograph. I recommend wearing safety goggles during the project, every bit water can spray towards your face up, and it may have particles from the captured sediment of the former filter. You will also want to identify a bucket under the water-filtration assembly to catch any water as it flows out of the housing during the project.

Preview of Project Steps i–seven

Plough off the water supply. Press the cherry-red pressure-relief push button. Rotate handle to OFF or BYPASS position.
Unscrew housing. Remove large O-ring, wipe it clean, and set up aside.
Remove and discard used filter cartridge. Launder housing with dish soap and warm water. Rinse completely. Fill 1/3 with water. Add almost one tablespoon of bleach and scrub to disinfect. Rinse thoroughly.
Lubricate O-ring with make clean silicone grease and insert it dorsum into the groove. It is important to make sure the O-band is seated level in the groove. Otherwise, the housing may not have a proper seal.
Replace the new filter cartridge over the standpipe in the lesser of the housing.
Spiral housing onto cap and paw-tighten. DO Not OVER-TIGHTEN. Make sure cap standpipe slips into cartridge.
Turn on the h2o supply. Rotate handle slowly to ON position for valve-in-head units. Printing the pressure-release button (if present). Check for leaks before leaving installation.

Important Information Regarding Your New Filter Change

After installing the whole-firm sediment-filtration cartridge, run the water!

Subsequently you have the filter changed and the housing sealed properly, you will demand to run your house water for most 5 minutes before using whatever. It is a good idea to run the tap h2o for drinking and bathing for virtually xxx seconds before using it for any consumer purpose. It volition be credible that the h2o sediments have constitute their way into the tap system, as the initial h2o that pours from your faucets will probably exist a lovely shade of yucky!

Turn Off Water Supply — Plow Off H2o Supply

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Step ane: Water Supply Off and Pressure Release

Plough off the water supply either at the valve-in-head or main water feed to the filter. Press the red button to release any built-up pressure, be conscientious as a stream of water comes shooting out when the release button is engaged.

Notation: The red button can exist a great practical joke tool to utilise on someone who isn't aware of the thrust of h2o that shoots from the housing pressure level-relief valve. Only make sure everyone has safety goggles on!

Step two: Remove Housing and Clean O-Band

Unscrew the housing unit and remove the large O-ring. The O-ring is in the housing and looks like a large diameter, but sparse black rubber ring. Y'all will demand to wipe information technology clean with a soft cloth and place it to the side until it is time to replace it into the housing. Bank check that information technology is still in expert shape, if not, club a new ane.

Scroll to Proceed

Step three: Dispose of Old Filter and Clean Housing

Remove the dirty onetime filter and throw information technology away. You lot will demand to clean the housing by starting time rinsing out the majority of dirt. So apply dish soap and warm water to wash the housing using a low abrasive sponge or cloth, then rinse information technology completely. Make full the housing 1/3 total with water so add about a tablespoon of bleach to the housing and scrub gently to sanitize the interior surface. Rinse very thoroughly and several times.

Stride 4: Lubricate O-Ring

Using a clean silicone grease, lubricate the O-band completely, being sure to cover the inside as well every bit the outside surface of the o-ring. (It is very of import to apply a silicone-based grease for this application, equally the silicone volition non cause the rubber to groovy or soften similar a hydrocarbon-based grease will.) Replace O-ring back into its groove. Accept extra care to properly seat the o-ring or the seal on the housing volition leak, h2o pressure could dethrone, and your water supply could become vulnerable to leaner.

Install New Water-Filter Cartridge

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Step 5: Install New H2o-Filter Cartridge

Now replace the filter. Look into the housing and you lot volition run into a standpipe positioned at the middle bottom. It is a round-shaped molded component with a short plastic-looking pipe protruding (See photo #5). Information technology is important to fit the filter over this correctly, as this is the water admission port, thus this is where all of your water will be coming from for filtration before heading to your house taps. Try to centre the filter on the standpipe.

Step 6: Screw Housing to Cap

Replace the housing with the filter cartridge past manus-screwing information technology to the cap. Be sure to become the filter centered over the cap's standpipe. You won't necessarily be able to visually position information technology simply you will be able to experience the standpipe slip hands into the cartridge opening. Have care Not to tighten the housing too much, information technology can scissure easily.

Stride 7: Plough on Water Supply and Exam Pressure

Slowly rotate the inlet handle to plough the water supply back on. Employ circumspection because the water can come rushing in too speedily, and this can blow the housing off and destroy the unit. Then, turn the inlet valve slowly and feel as the pressure arrives so you can control it while information technology fills the housing. We replaced a filter with a valve-in-head unit, but the same measure of caution must be used for any water supply inlet used. Relieve pressure level by pressing the red release button, water will rooster- tail out of the unit so be prepared to go sprayed a little (or place a towel over the unit of measurement while conducting this footstep). Brand sure you take a good seal where the housing and cap come across before leaving the unit.

Water-Filter Cartridge-Replacement Project Conclusion

After completing the filter replacement project, nosotros ran the house water for several minutes. When nosotros first opened the faucets, a loud, unfamiliar noise raged from the pipes. It was actually startling at first until we realized what the cause was. The h2o was very dirty looking and spit and sputtered intermittently for some time. Even flushing the toilets and testing the shower offered this experience.

We began to inquire the question, "Now what? Some other unexpected project at this old property?" But then we realized all the knocking and spitting stemmed from the air that had gotten into the pipes during the project. It is a common occurrence and one y'all should expect to encounter when changing your water filter cartridge.

This article is accurate and truthful to the best of the author's knowledge. Content is for informational or entertainment purposes only and does not substitute for personal counsel or professional advice in business, financial, legal, or technical matters.

Bharat Arnold (author) from Northern, California on November 30, 2011:

dflood~ Cheque that the big black rubber gasket has been seated correctly, and that y'all have returned the pressure valves (inlet, outlet) to the correct position. If these do not work, you lot may need to supersede your filter housing, or pressure level release push. Good luck!

dflood on November 29, 2011:

Did all the steps above and at present h2o is coming out of the blood-red pressure level release button. What did I practise incorrect?

India Arnold (author) from Northern, California on September 05, 2011:

Chin chin~ Thanks for the well wishes, you are very sweet. It pleases me y'all feel that after reading the instruction for changing a whole house water filter in this hub, that you have conviction to do it yourself! I appreciate you lot swinging past today.

Cheers~

Mentum chin from Philippines on September 05, 2011:

Nosotros have a filtration arrangement installed under our kitchen sink. It looks similar to what y'all have illustrated here. I accept never worked on it only with your hub guide, I call back I can do the filter cartridge modify.

Congrats on writing and winning so many plumbing hubs.

India Arnold (author) from Northern, California on September 03, 2011:

PegCole~ Thank you! I promise yous give it a try yourself if yous ever have to change a whole firm water filter. Nosotros constitute information technology pretty piece of cake and kinda fun!

Certain capeesh your support!

HubHugs~

Peg Cole from North Dallas, Texas on September 03, 2011:

Well documented and illustrated. Very thorough and understandable guide to this plumbing chore. I feel like I could do this now.

India Arnold (author) from Northern, California on September 02, 2011:

Penny~ Wow, are you right! I have learned then much by having to do some plumbing things myself; and of class via my dad'south brilliance, who has rescued me more than one time. Thank y'all for your supportive comments, I really appreciate it!

Cheers~

SimeyC~ Thanks for the congrats and your kind words. I hope you take been enjoying the plumbing contest, as your winning work has been a wonderful contribution in "how-to"!

Cheers~

Simon Cook from NJ, U.s.a. on September 02, 2011:

Awesome hub! There goes the bar mode high!!! Peachy stuff - fully deserves the daily prize!

Republic of india Arnold (author) from Northern, California on September 01, 2011:

HRoger~ Hey, Thanks so much for the nice comments and votes! I sure capeesh you stopping by!

Thank you~

HRoger from Online where I can exist! on September 01, 2011:

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Great data, very creative!

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