Your water treatment equipment is fundamental to the operation of your house and the well-being of your family. Just like your car, furnace, or other mechanical items around your home, your water treatment equipment requires regular service to keep it running properly and providing clean, clear water for your family.
The amount of water your family uses in a year, as well as the raw water chemistry in your home, can affect how often your equipment will need service. Here are some general guidelines for various pieces of water treatment equipment.
Reverse Osmosis Systems
A Reverse Osmosis System uses a series of filters and a reverse osmosis membrane to purify water by reducing harmful chemicals and other contaminants. A system can have 3 or more filters, each performing a different function. Generally, these filters should be replaced every 12 months and the membrane replaced every 3 to 5 years.
Ultraviolet Systems
Ultraviolet Systems use UV light to inactivate microorganisms, without adding any chemicals, drastically improving the quality of your water. The UV bulb and sleeve can become coated with tannins and sediment, reducing the effectiveness of disinfection. Bulbs must be replaced a minimum of every 12 months and sleeves typically every 2 years. UV sleeves should be cleaned as part of your annual Preventative Maintenance Service.
Sediment Filters
Quite often a sediment filter is used ahead of other water treatment equipment to filter out sand, sediment, and other debris. These filters serve a very important purpose, as the material that they filter out can have a detrimental effect on other equipment in the system. Depending on the amount of material collected in these filters, they will need to be cleaned or replaced every 6 – 12 months. Generally as the feed water quality worsens the filter replacement frequency should increase.
Tannin Filters
Similar to the way a Water Softener works, a tannin filter uses ion charged media to remove tannins from your water, before the water enters your UV and distribution piping. Tannins are organic materials that have decomposed and leave a tea-coloured tint to your water and are required to be removed before the water enters your UV System to ensure proper disinfection of your water.
Tannin media must be cleaned and recharged with the saltwater held in your brine tank. It is very important to ensure your brine tank is kept ½ full at all times to ensure the proper function of your system. The media in the Tannin Filter tank will generally last 7-10 years but over time will require replacement. Depending on the level of tannins in your water these filters will need to be serviced every 12 months.
Iron Removal Filters
Water is a natural solvent, absorbing a little bit of everything it touches, sometimes resulting in unpleasant odours and taste. An iron filter works to reduce iron, rust stains, odour, bad tastes and cloudiness using a specific type of media. Over time, this media can become heavily laden with iron and other materials and may need to be replaced. If your media tank is still in good shape, your iron filter can be re-bedded with new media. Depending on the level of Iron in your water these filters will need to be serviced every 12 months.
Water Softeners
A water softener removes hardness and scale from your home’s water, creating softer water that is beneficial for your plumbing, appliances that use water, and your skin and hair. Ion-charged media is used to attract and trap the hardness minerals, which build up on the media over time. This media is cleaned and recharged when your water softener regenerates with the saltwater held in your brine tank. It is very important to ensure your brine tank is kept half full at all times to ensure the proper function of your system. The media in the water softener tank will generally last 10-15 years but over time will require replacement. If your tank is still in good shape, your water softener can be re-bedded with new media. Depending on the level of Hardness in your water these systems will need to be serviced every 12 months.
Service Packages
Water Depot offers service packages for every piece of water treatment equipment, bringing you peace of mind for your investment. We will contact you at the scheduled time to arrange for in-home service and ensure that your system is always providing your family with the cleanest, clearest water possible.
Water Depot
Did you find the information in this article useful? Water Depot are your local water treatment experts, carrying a large selection of water softeners and water treatment solutions. Contact us today for your free water test.
