I know how it feels when you need forever to get a glass of water from your slow filter every time. PUR and Brita filters are among the most used filter brands in the USA. They use the same mechanism to filter water and both are prone to get slow.
Let’s learn why it happens and how to fix it without much hustling.
Why are PUR & Brita filters so slow?
PUR and Brita filters can be slow because of high sediment levels, expired filters, trapped air bubbles, and excess use. There are some other causes but usually, these occur most of the time. A slow filter problem can be solved by following a few methods or by replacing the old filter.
Table of Contents
PUR and Brita filters use a single standalone filter. It is made of two layers. One is the activated carbon layer and the other one is the ion exchange resin layer. Those layers have differents roles to purify water.
To understand why your filter is slow, we have to understand a few basics. First of all, activated carbon prevents the bigger particles and organisms from getting through, and absorbing any kind of smell from the water.
Carbon is activated by heat, and we are using it to filter water for thousands of years.
On the other hand, the ion exchange resin layer works to remove the ionized contaminants from the water. It binds with magnesium, calcium, iron, and chlorine and makes the water safe.
Yes, those were the insider of PUR and Brita filter. But they can’t work forever. An activated carbon filter gets blocked by bigger particles and clay. The ion exchange resin layer becomes ineffective after using all its ions.
This is the main reason of filter is slow. That is why there is an estimated time and amount of water that a PUR and Brita filter can purify. After filtering that much water the filter gets slow and inefficient.
However, there are many more reasons for PUR and Brita filters being slow. Those can be fixed easily. But if your filter is getting slow for old age, replacing the filter is the only option.
There is an indicator that shows if you have to change the filter or not. The filters are cheap and easy to set up. The indicator may show the wrong status sometimes.
Don’t be too happy if your filter is filtering fast than usual. It also indicates your filter is not working properly. To purify the water, the filter needs a bit of time. A medium flow of your filter is the best you can expect.
Let’s discuss the problem more especially –
Reasons –
Air bubbles:
In most cases, trapped air bubbles inside the filter cause slow filtering. It is a common problem for both PUR and Brita filters.
When too many bubbles get trapped into the filter, they create a blockage as the air can’t pass the filter like water. Removing the bubbles will solve the problem easily. Find out the steps to solve the problem in the solution part below.
Water quality:
If your tap water contains too many sediments like clay, rust, sand, or minerals, it will block the filter faster than the expected time. A clogged filter will cause a slower filtration rate. If it’s the case, you will need to change the filter frequently.
By adding a primary filter before your PUR or Brita filter can reduce or fix the problem.
You can check the water quality of tap water easily. Fill a glass of water with tap water and leave the glass for 20 minutes. If you see any sediment in the bottom of the glass, the water quality is bad.
Old or overused filter:
Old filters get blocked by settlement and looses their ability to filter water. As a result, the filter gets slower.
You can know your filter’s workability by checking its indicator. Usually, both PUR and Brita filter needs to be changed within 2-3 months depending on the model, type, and capacity.
High or low pressure of tap water:
PUR and Brita filters can’t work properly in too high and low water pressure. The filters need a stable medium force of water to work properly.
If the water pressure is too high, it creates air bubbles. Low water pressure just can’t push the water into the filter with enough force.
Flushing:
PUR and Brita filters need to be flushed before use to work properly. Flushing fixes the dislodged parts and blockage. Those issues may happen while transporting or manufacturing.
The company recommends flushing every time before using a new filter.
Installation errors:
If you do any mistakes while installing the filters, it may cause slow filtering. Read the manufacturer’s instructions carefully and follow the steps accordingly.
Hot water and mineral damage:
Hot water damages the layers of the filter. If there is too much mineral in tap water, it will damage the second layer of the filter faster.
Hopefully, you found the problem by now. Here are the tips to fix the problem –
Solutions:
Dip and wash the filter:
To fix the air bubble problem, remove the filter part and dip the filter upright in cold water for 20 minutes. Then wash the filter with tap water for 20 seconds. After reinstalling the filter correctly, the filter should work fine.
If it doesn’t fix the problem, keep the filter under tap water and gently tap the filter against the sink. It should remove all the remaining air bubbles.
Set a basic filter:
Set a basic filter before your PUR or Brita filter if you have poor water quality. It will reduce the settlements of tap water and pass cleaner water to the actual filter.
Replace in time:
Replace your filter in time. Keep track of the filter’s life and change the filter according to the indicator.
Don’t filter out of curiosity:
Don’t filter any kind of liquids or drinks out of curiosity. Filtering coke, juice, or milk will damage your filter.
Call a plumber:
If you have high or low-pressure water in your tap, call a plumber to fix the problem.
How to make and keep those Pur or Brita filters faster?
There are some steps you can take to maintain the good performance of your Brita or PUR filter. Wash your filter with warm water every week. You can use mild detergent water to clean the lid and reservoir.
But keeping in mind that, direct warm water into the main filter may damage it.
Water quality is another important factor when it comes to the longer performance of your filter. Highly mineralized or muddy water will reduce the life of your filter.
It’s not possible to separate minerals from the water before filtering. But filter paper or similar things can reduce other particles from water.
Overusing your filter will reduce the life of your PUR or Brita filter. Use it only for drinking purposes. Don’t use the water for washing, fish tank, or other reasons. You can usually cook with tap water as heat will purify the water.
Here is how you can maintain different types of filters better.
Water dispenser filter:
Water dispenser filters can filter about 30-40 cups of water and can fit on your dining table. Use filter paper before pouring the water into the filter.
If the supply water has a high amount of chlorine, you can de-chlorine the water first for longer filter life. Wash the reservoir and lid every week.
New filters need to flash before use. For standard filters, Soak the filter for 20 minutes. After that, wash the filter under tap water for 20-30 seconds.
After installing the filter, fill the tank and filter all the water at least two times. Discard the water. Now your filter is ready to use.
Faucet filter or sink filter:
After installing the faucet filter, turn on the filter and let the water pass for 5 minutes. The water may contain carbon particles or dust. Don’t worry, it’s natural for new filters. After five minutes of running the filter, your filter is ready to use.
Adjust your tap water pressure for best performance. Too low or high pressure can be harmful to your filter. Call a planner to fix such a problem.
Pitcher filter:
New pitcher filters also need to be soaked into water for 20 minutes. It will eliminate the air inside the filter. After soaking, install the filter and let water pass the filter several times before use.
Hand washes your PUR or Brita filter lid and reservoir every week with mild detergent. Never wash the main filter with any kind of elements.
Final thoughts
PUR and Brita filters can be slow because of water quality, air bubbles, or expiring. By fixing the issues you can get faster filtration speed. There is not much difference between drinking expired filter water and drinking tap water. So make sure to change in time.