A question for all:
Given the problems we have with our well water (lots of particulates), what has the experience been of those of you with filtering water that quickly “loads up” the typical 10” x 2.5” filter cartridges. I’d really rather not be replacing filter cartridges so frequently! Which filter type, pleated, string, or porous foam, actually has the most capacity to collect sediment in the water, before “loading up”?
Note that I’m asking about a “first stage” filter. We have “2nd stage” (finer / activated charcoal) filtering for our drinking water, and 2nd stage (10 or 20 micron) filtering for our washer, which latter has a hard to deal with inlet filter that clogs easily with water not filtered down to 20 microns or so.
This last time around, I’d purchased a 6-pack of what are, essentially, hard polypropylene foam “melt blown, grooved sediment water filter cartridges”. These are said to have longer life due to a 3 layer design — essentially, the water passes through first coarse, then medium, then fine filtering, to extend cartridge life. The grooved design is claimed to “increase filter surface” area. However... the outer surface of these seems less porous than the 30 micron rating, and, these seem to “load up” with fine sediment faster than string or pleated filters. Indeed, in a couple listings on Amazon, the string filters are claimed to have “4x” the holding capacity of the melt blown filters. Some of the string filters are also claimed to have graded density too, looser on the outside and denser inside.
A new wrinkle I saw on Amazon were pleated and string filters made of polypropylene material. I never saw in the past what the filter element material actually was, in “brand name” pleated and string filters we were using, but I do recall the pleated filters would tear once they loaded up and had to bear more pressure. With the string filters, it seemed we were getting little tiny fibers off the string itself, if the filter was left in place a little too long. I would think polypropylene material or string that does not get exposed to light (UV) would last a much longer time?
Some pleated filters are also claimed to be “washable”, and I’d think if the polypropylene cloth is reasonably tough, they’d be re-useable. ??
Thoughts? Experiences?
Our are the tubular pleated throw away kind. We get them at Menards. Link here.
All we get in it is black particulates. Cange it once a month it could probably go longer. We do have a little bit of iron but the water softener takes that out.
(Just my experience; ignore if it doesn’t apply.)
At my other farm, while I had a 300’ well, I was in a ‘rust belt’ which effected our water.
Instead of fighting it with filters and stop-gap measures, we got a whole house filtration system designed for our SPECIFIC problem.
If I’m remembering correctly, they came and checked the system and changed out the HUGE-MONGUS filter once a year; it was similar to having a water softener system. (Hey, Culligan Man!) There was no maintenance on our part at all and I don’t remember it being budget-busting expensive, either. (I WOULD have remembered that!)
It made a world of difference in our drinking water and also the laundry and the toilets and sinks weren’t stained with rust deposits, etc.
If your problem with water is that bad, I’d look to a professional. Also consider your future home sale.
Who wants to buy a place with bad water? Nobody. It may be time to bite the bullet.