by Maxwell Payne

Created on: February 24, 2011

Carbon water filters are used to filter already processed drinking water. The filters contain small carbon particles that capture sediment, common organic chemicals, and other particles that can affect the taste and odor of the water. They can be found in sink attachments, under the sink systems, and in pitchers. Depending on their size and design they need to be replaced every 1 to 3 months or after a certain amount of water has been through them (indicated on filter packaging). Replacement is important as an old filter will allow water freely through doing little for taste or odor control.

Pitcher filter systems

Pour out any remaining pitcher water.

Grasp the top of the filter in the center of the pitcher and pull it straight out. Use warm soap and water to clean the inside and outside of the pitcher and pitcher parts like lid, filter holder, and handle.

Hold the new filter under running cold water for 15 seconds.

Place the new filter standing up submerged in water for up to 15 minutes. Remove the filter after 15 minutes, run cold water over it again.

Line up the groove on the filter with the protruding piece of plastic in the filter holder in the pitcher. Push the filter firmly into place and fill up the pitcher.

Under sink filters

Open the cabinet under the sink. Locate the cold water shut off valve and turn it off. Open the cold water faucet or the separate drinking water tap that some under sink filter systems include to drain excess water.

Unscrew the filter housing covers of each filter mounted to the inside of the cabinet. Depending on the system there may be multiple "stage" filters or just a single filter. Remove each filter.

Rinse each new filter under cold water for up to 30 seconds and install each filter. Pay special attention to multi stage filter systems as a filter with a certain number (such as 1, 2, or 3) much go into the filter housing with the matching number. Ignore this if the under sink system is a single filter.

Replace the filter covers. Turn the cold water back on. Allow the cold water or drinking water tap to run for a few minutes to flush the filters.

Faucet filters

Unscrew the bottom half of the filter casing attached to the faucet.

Remove the filter inside. Run the cold water through the now empty filter casing.

Hold the new filter under running cold water for 15 seconds. If indicated by the filter packaging soak the filter in cold water for up to 15 minutes.

Place the new filter into the filter casing ensuring you have it right side up. Screw the removed portion of the casing back on. Turn on the cold water and allow it to run for a few minutes.

Change out the filter every few months or after X amount of gallons as indicated on the filter packaging.

Do not filter contaminated or non potable water through carbon filters as they are not designed to remove bacteria.


Reference
Carbon Water: Information about activated carbon filters [http://carbonwaterfilters.net/]
Brita FAQ: Changing carbon filters [http://www.brita.com/support/filter-installation/]

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