If you’re a homeowner, you know that taking care of your property is a top priority.
That’s why it’s essential to be on the lookout for any potential problems, like a whole house water filter leaking from the top.
Leaks can occur for various reasons, so it’s essential to identify the cause and take corrective action as quickly as possible.
In this blog post, we’ll discuss some common causes of water leaks and how to fix them.
We’ll also provide tips on how to prevent future leaks from happening. So if you’re concerned about a leaky water filter, read on for more information.
Why Your Whole House Water Filter Leaking from Top and Bottom?
When your whole house water filter is leaking, the first thing you need to do is identify why it’s happening.
There may be various causes for this type of problem. Some can fix easily, while others may require professional help. Here are some things to consider:
- Did the pressure change in your area? If so, the leaking may be due to the filter becoming too full. It is easily fixed by adjusting your water pressure valve.
- Does your water meter show an unusually high rate of use? If so, it may be due to a leak in one of your city water supply lines or appliances, like your dishwasher. You may want to call in a professional for this type of problem.
- Is your sediment filter leaking from the bottom? If so, it’s probably due to a worn-out gasket. This part is easy to replace and should stop any future leaks.
- Is your water softener leaking from the top or bottom? If so, it could be due to damage, O ring, or a defect in your whole house water filter. You can easily replace the O ring or contact to professional for other problems.
- You probably may have a crack in the tank itself, and this problem is difficult to fix and may require buying a new RO system.
What to Do If Your Whole House Water Filter Is Leaking From the Top:
If you find that your whole house water filter is leaking from the top, it’s essential to take action immediately.
When a system starts to break down, it can cause a lot of damage. Plus, a leak could lead to many wasted water and costly utility bills.
You’ll need to decide if you want to solve this or replace your reverse osmosis water filter.
It could probably be because of a faulty O-ring seal, don’t worry; our step-by-step guide will show you how to fix the in-house water filter leaking.
Step 1: Stop water
Turn off the supply of clean water to your water filtration system.
It will need to shut down your main city water supply, usually found inside the house, but it could also be at a well or other tapping point.
If you have a well and it isn’t easy to turn off the main supply, try shutting off an outside faucet near the reverse osmosis.
The cold water supply line should be easy to identify and shut off.
Step 2: Remove water filter housing
Once the water supply is cut to your whole house water filter and completely drained out of it, unscrew the filter housing by turning the top counterclockwise.
Now you can remove the cartridge housing and inspect the inside.
You may find a small O-ring seal leaking, or there may be a gasket that is faulty or missing.
You may need to purchase a new gasket, or O-ring seal, if it’s missing, or replace it with a new one.
Make sure you purchase the correct size O-ring seal or gasket needed to fit your water filter.
Step 3: Recheck
Once you replace the O-ring seal or gasket in place, all you need to confirm is that it is perfectly fit in its place.
Step 4: Replace Filter
Replace your old sediment filter cartridge with a new one, and ensure it doesn’t tilt or move when you fit it securely in the housing.
It could be clogged with hard water contaminants, heavy metals, dust, debris, and particles and affect water quality.
Don’t overtighten, and once you have done that, replace the top of your water filter housing and turn on the tap water supply.
Step 5: Pressurize the system and check for leaks.
Wait for a few minutes and look for any sign of leakage around the cartridge housing or connections.
Ensure you tighten the connections securely, including the drain line you turned off earlier.
You can also have a plumber check your house’s water filtration system for you to ensure everything was done correctly.
After completing all the required checks, you should be confident that your reverse osmosis is ready to use.
Your in-house water filter should be installed in a cold water line and pressurized at the following pressures:
20 – 125 psi when using a filter with a water flow rate of 6 GPM and 25 – 125 psi when using a flow rate of 6.5 GPM.
Best Way To Avoid Water Filter Leaking in the Future:
If you find that your whole house water filter is leaking from the top, it’s time to take action instantly.
10 Steps to Avoid Water Filter Leaking in the Future:
1) Follow the instructions
Read the replacement filters instructions before installing a new water filter system.
It can be tricky to install a new sediment filter if you don’t know how the installation works. That will help you a lot to avoid a leakage problem.
2) Check to leak
Look for any signs of water on the sides of your drinking water purifier. If you see a wet ring or stain, there is a leak.
Also, you can check the gasket for any problems if your clean water purifier. If you find any problem with the gasket, replace it with a new one.
3) Know your water pressure.
Several different types of filters may be used for filtered water quality.
One type of filter uses an air chamber to reduce the tap water pressure to remove impurities effectively.
If your home experiences extremely high water pressure, then you should check to see if that type of filter is right for you.
Your house filter may not be able to handle the excess water pressure.
4) Your filter may not have been installed correctly:
When a water filter is replaced, make sure you purchase the correct model.
The installation process can be tricky, so always double-check that your filter is securely fastened.
If it is being used as a whole house filter, be sure to read the instructions for installation.
5) Do not use a too small filter for the job.
If the water flow is extremely slow, you may have a problem with your current filter.
Your water softener may be clogged with heavy metals debris, and it will never restore water flow if that is the case.
It will cost more to replace the entire purifier than to purchase a new filter.
So always make sure accurate filter sizes are taken, or you can take assistance from the dealer or any other professional for exact measurements.
6) The filter may not be the problem:
If your whole house water filter is leaking from the top, you can check to see any kinks in the hose.
If you notice a kink, it means that there is a problem with your hose.
When you decide to replace the hose yourself, or if the issue with your house filter is more complicated, you may need to consult a professional.
Always take care to straighten the hose to prevent it from springing back and causing leaks.
7) Clean and enough workspace
If you are using an under-sink water purifier, be sure to check the gasket underneath your purifier.
Also, always ensure a clean workspace to ease the installation and replacement of filters.
Suppose you have very little space to access your cartridge. In that case, it may be worth investing in a water filter system that has quickly disconnected fittings.
It will allow you to disconnect the hose and pull the purifier out for cleaning or replacement.
8) Filter cartridge
Never let your reverse osmosis run without a filter cartridge. If you are not using a filter for filtered water, it is essential to take this step.
The water that flows through the filter when not in use can become contaminated.
If you have a spare filter on hand, you can always use it until your replacement filter is ready to use.
If you do not have a spare filter, leave the house filter cartridge in place and turn off the water supply to prevent contamination.
9) Clean the top
Always make sure that you clean the top of your water purifier after every use.
Many different types of contaminants can accumulate on the top of your water filtration. It would help if you made it a habit to wipe the surface clean after each use.
You can either wipe it down with a moist cloth or use a mild soap to disinfect it and remove any hard water contaminants.
10) Lubing O-Rings
Broken or hard o-rings lead to the whole RO system coming down.
So if you want your house’s drinking water supply uninterrupted, it’s essential that regularly lube these with a sealant like a clubhouse silicone spray.
FAQs
What causes a whole house water filter to leak from the top?
A problem with the filter itself may be responsible for leaks around the top of your water purifier.
Always check the filter to ensure that it is free of cracks or holes. When a water filter becomes damaged, impurities may start to seep through the pores, which can cause leaks.
A puddle will form around your house water filtration system if the damage has gone too far, and you need to replace the entire unit immediately.
Are there better alternatives to get clean water at an affordable price?
Yes, there are various types of filters available in the market:
Brita faucet filter: – They provide clean and tasty water direct from your faucet.
PUR water filter: It uses a carbon filter to clean your water and effectively removes various contaminants and metals.
What can I do to prevent my system from leaking?
It would help if you were careful when taking out your filter cartridge for cleaning or replacement.
If you notice that the seal is broken, it means that your filter is no longer secure in its housing unit.
It may have been jarred loose while being handled by someone else, damaged by a power outage, or it may have been compromised.
In any case, you will need to replace the entire filter cartridge assembly if this is the case.
What is the best way to clean my water purifier?
The directions with your water system will indicate how often you should clean your purifier and what kind of tools are required.
If you have cloudy water, you need to clean it more often than normal quality water.
It is essential to follow these directions so as not to damage the system.
If your drinking water purifier has an electronic display, always make sure that you dry it off thoroughly after use to prevent rust and corrosion.
Do I need a professional?
Suppose you have determined that your water softener is leaking from the top due to a crack or hole in the filter cartridge. In that case, it means that you need to replace the assembly.
This step does not require a professional unless you are unsure how to do it. Contact a Reverse Osmosis professional if you do not want to replace the cartridge yourself.
Conclusion
If you’re having problems with your whole house water filter leaking from the top, always remember that you have a couple of options.
You can either replace the filter cartridge entirely or take steps to straighten your hose.
If your water purifier has a small crack in the filter, you can stop it from springing back by taking out any kinks in the hose.
Suppose your water system still leaks after these steps. In that case, it is probably time to replace the filter cartridge and purifier completely.