Here we describe a few simple steps you'll follow to change the cartridge in a home water filter.

This is a task that most homeowners can perform with little more than a bit of encouragement and maybe a $4.00 plastic tool that we will describe. We also give warnings that can help keep you out of trouble.

Page top photo: a Kinetico WH-NS general purpose water filter and cartridge.

This article series describes different types water filters used for drinking water purification both as portable filters and where installed on building water supply systems, including both municipal water supplies and private well water systems. The filters described here are usually intended to improve aesthetic issues in home water supply such as removing debris particles, sediment or odors.

How do I change my water filter cartridge if I can't un-screw the canister holder?

Our photo illustrates a typical home water filter system: a plastic housing that contains the actual filter cartridge, piping feeding building water supply through the filter system, shutoff valves before and after the filter (green arrows), and a filter top control handle that allows putting the water filter into bypass-mode (red arrow).

My yellow arrow points to the plastic wrench used to remove or install the water filter canister base, as often these can be a bit hard to un-screw.

Replacing our Tenectico water filter

I have tried to get two plumbers to replace this filter. I think they don’t call me back because it’s a kind of (duh, “girl”) request.

So, I ventured out on my own. It’s really doable and the site is what I followed, along with instructions in the owner’s manual.

I have the filter replacement and have tried this. We have this same blue water filter housing.

[Click to enlarge any image]

I went through the steps but don’t have the muscle (or maybe knowledge), or just plain confidence to loosen the filter housing.

So, I am ordering the plumbers wrench and clear plumbers grease and am hoping you wouldn’t mind helping me replace the filter.

Our water is slowing down, some spitting and some knocking. This filter was supposed to be replaced annually. it’s been five years on this filter!!.

Okay, I should have tackled this a long time ago.

Let me know if you would be willing on your next visit to do it with me. - Anonymous friend of the editor, by private email 2021/04/30

Moderator reply: 9 easy steps to replace a water filter cartridge

Thank you for a helpful question - it shows me where I need to be more complete or clear at InspectApedia.com. Our sketch above shows the parts in a typical home water filter installation. You can see that despite all the numbers, it's pretty simple.

Water enters the filter canister, flows through the filter cartridge by entering at its outer surface, exits through the center of the filter, and continues on into the building water supply piping (Blue arrows in our sketch).

It will help find repair parts, instructions, and filter cartridges if we note the brand and model of your water filter. I think you probably have a Kinetico brand water filter.

If your Kinetico water filter is like the company's current quick-change model shown here, it's supposed to be easy to change with no tools. Other models may need the wrench shown above.

Watch out: a clogged water filter can cause odd problems including odd pump on-off rapid cycling, reduced water flow rate (normal people call it "water pressure"), and also bad body odors (due to bathing less often because of weak shower or tub water flow rate). That can show up as a pump having trouble turning off, or very rapid on-off cycling that we also diagnose at

WATER PUMP PRESSURE CONTROL SWITCH CHATTER

Why won't the plumber return my calls?

Plumbers are doing the homeowner a favor to be reluctant to come out just to change a water filter.

It's a homeowner task (though not everyone feels up to it), and plumbers run into irate homeowners who, after seeing the plumber do the job, are angry with the size of the plumber's bill for driving out to the home, swapping the filter, and talking with the homeowner. 

12 Easy Step to Change a Water Filter Cartridge

Before you start: get replacement water filter cartridge(s) - Don't start this process if you haven't already bought the proper replacement water filter cartridge.

Look for identifying stickers or labels on your water filters to get both the size and the filter type. If there are no stickers, measure the canister length and diameter.



To replace the cartridges in the two water filters shown I measured the filter canister length and diameter and also noted that written right on the filter mounting brackets were the words "SEDIMENT" for the first filter and "CARBON" for the second filter in the series.

Or if someone was thoughtful she may have saved the identifying labels from the last time the water filter cartridges were replaced.

...

I could also have turned off water, removed pressure, taken out the old cartridges, and carried those to the plumbing or building supplier to be sure of buying the correct replacement filter, but that means leaving the house with water off or turning water back on with the canisters replaced but no filters installed - not a good idea.

As I show below, you want to use a large simple pre-cast plastic "wrench" that fits over the water filter and can be used to un-screw it.   (Sometimes I use two hands and a towel.) You'll see it's easier than you think, if you have the right tool. 

1. Turn off water supply ahead of the water filter - there's either a stop valve on the water pipe ahead of the filter or the top of the filter itself contains a bypass or "OFF" valve that is rotated to the OFF position.
2. Relieve water pressure from the piping - so you don't get splashed; open a faucet downstream,
   
   AND also press the pressure relief valve button found on the top the water filter canister (usually present as a red or brown button like the one under my finger - photo below).
   
   

3. Unscrew the water filter canister base, take out the old filter and toss it out.
   
   You already have the correct replacement filter, right?
   
   
   
   Which way do I turn the filter? Leftie-Loosie as my daughter Mara says. Most water filter canister bases are mounted pointing "down" and rotating the canister base "left" will un-screw it.
   
   Watch out: if you can't turn the base, don't force it so hard that you break the assembly. If all else fails, read the instructions - you may be trying to turn the filter or base the wrong way.
   
   Watch out: take care that you twist the filter canister base that un-screws and you don't twist and break pipes to which the whole shebang is mounted.  If you're in any doubt, have an accomplice stand by to hold and brace the surrounding pipes as you apply your handy-dandy plastic water filter cartridge wrench.
   
   Watch out: Don't use a huge cast iron pipe wrench - it's overkill and will gouge the plastic.
   
   Above we show an example of a simple water filter canister wrench: simple, easy to use, and effective. Because the water filter canister is tapered, it's typical that almost any of these wrenches will fit and work on your water filter canister. 
4. Wash out the filter canister base in that bucket of clean water you saved and prepared because your read all of these instructions before starting the job.
5. Optional: spray a dash of silicone on the canister threads to make assembly and disassembly easier next-time. Don't gop it up with any high-tack nor permanent plumbing sealant or you'll be sorry later.
   
   Watch out: many water filters use O-rings in one or more locations. In a new installation and occasionally afterwards on assembly the O-rings should be lubricated. The manufacturer will provide an O-ring lubricant or you can obtain food-grade o-ring lubricants rated for use on potable water systems.
   
   Really? OPINION: Typically these are a silicone product and frankly, just about everyone working on residential properties uses a simple Plumbers Silicone O-ring lubricant - the amount of lubricant in your water supply from this application ought to be harmless and far below the limits of detection.
   
   Don't use that old-fashioned petroleum-based red-orange plumber's grease; it's a bit sticky and not so nice in this application.

6. Put the new water filter cartridge in the canister base.
   
   Watch out: some replacement water filter cartridges are not only wrapped in plastic or cellophane (you'd know to remove that, right?) but they may also have a "sanitary cap" over the filter opening(s).
   
   
   
   If a sanitary cap is used on your water filter remove it. The cap is usually in the opening in the center of the top of the cartridge.
   
   What if you bought the wrong water filter cartridge?
   
   In an emergency (clogged filter, no replacement) you could simply leave the water filter out or if your plumbing provides for it, open a water filter bypass; but you don't want to go for long with no filter in place or, if your water supply includes sediment or dirt, you will clog pipes and faucet strainers.
   
   
   
7. Assemble the filter and canister: Lift the new filter and canister base back into position, noting to take care that the center of the filter cartridge slips over the round protruding water connection that fits down into the top of the filter from up inside the canister top assembly.
   
   Below: note that I'm checking that the O-ring that seals the filter canister to the filter base is not nicked or damaged. Then I insert the filter cartridge into the canister.
   
   ...
   
8. Screw the filter canister base back by hand and then give it a 1/4 to 1/2 turn with your new water filter canister wrench to snug it up.
   
   ...
   
9. Turn water back on and check for leaks.
10. Flush out water from the canister and new filter using the on-filter flush fitting (if one is provided) for 30-60 seconds. This will remove any crud from the filter canister and also will flush any coloring agent or dust out of the new water filter,
11. Flush out any air remaining in the system using any nearby downstream water faucet.
12. Write the filter canister change date on the a date sticker (if one was provided with your filter) and stick that onto the canister base - or onto another convenient location.
    

For your Kinetico water filter, you can buy water filter canisters, replacement cartridges, and tools from your local plumbing or building supplier or from online vendors, or, of course, you may need help from the company, in your case Kinetico.

How do I Get the Right Water Filter Cartridge?

Start by looking at your water filter. It should bear a sticker or imprint giving the filter type, size and cartridge type. If you can't find that information on the water filter take a look in the owner's manual for your water filter.

If you don't have the water filter owner's manual at least see if you can identify the water filter brand, then we can find and download the right water filter manual either here at InspectApedia.com or at the water filter manufacturer's own website.

Readers with other water filter brands note that many water filters will accept any of a variety of filter cartridges, varying by what the filter is intended to catch: odors, sediment, etc.

At WATER FILTERS, HOME USE we describe different types of water filters and filter cartridges.

Many of these filter cartridges will fit more than one water filter canister brand and model, but not all of them. For example the Kinetico WH-NS wants its own water filter cartridge.

Water Filter Installation & Operation Manuals

There are about 500 "water filter" products sold for home use in North America alone; if you have trouble finding the filter for your specific water filter brand and model use the page top or bottom CONTACT link and we'll try to help.

• 123filter, iSpring Whole House Water Filter MANUAL [PDF] (2005) 123filter.com, Tel: 678-261-7611 Email: sales@ispringfilter.com retrieved 2021/04/30 original source: https://images.homedepot-static.com/ catalog/pdfImages/6f/ 6f14f535-0bc5-451d-a833-3d88b3f34c7d.pdf
• EcoPure WHOLE HOME WATER FILTER IO MANUAL [PDF] EcoPure Water Treatment 1890 Woodlane Drive Woodbury, MN 55125 USA, Model EPW2V (2012) Tel: 1-800-693-1138 Email: info@ecopure.com Web: www.ecopurewaterproducts.com
• WATER FILTERS, HOME USE - topic home, includes description of different types of water filters and filter cartridges.
• Culligan, AQUA CLEER WATER FILTER MANUAL [PDF] (2020) Culligan International Company 9399 W. Higgins Road, Suite 1100 Rosemont, Illinois 60018 USA Website: https://www.culligan.com/ retrieved 2021/04/30 original source:https://www.culligan.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07pdf/ AquaCleer_Advanced_Systems_Owners_Guide_01020485_I.pdf
  
  This product includes a reverse-osmose / RO system.
• Kinetico Water Systems, Website: https://www.kinetico.com/
  
  KINETICO WH-NS MULTI-PURPOSE CARTRIDGE WATER FILTER OWNERS MANUAL [PDF] retrieved 2021/04/30 original source: https://www.kinetico.com/media/259986/ 17202a_-manual_owners_wh_series_no_nsf_rev2.pdf
• Perfect Water Technologies, HOME MASTER WATER FILTER INSTRUCTION MANUAL [PDF] Perfect Water Technologies, Inc. 21575 N. 11th Place Suite 150 Phoenix, AZ 85024 USA ,Tel: 1-877-693-PURE, Models HMF1C HMF2SdgC HMF2SmgCC HMF3SdgFeC HMF3SmgNCC HMF-CYO retrieved 2021/04/30 original source: https://www.theperfectwater.com/files/instructions/HMF-install-v2.pdf

...

Continue reading at WATER FILTERS, HOME USE - topic home, or select a topic from the closely-related articles below, or see the complete ARTICLE INDEX .

Or see these

Recomended Articles

• WATER FILTERS, HOME USE - topic home
• CERAMIC FILTERS for WATER DISINFECTION
• CHLORINATORS & CHARCOAL FILTERS
• DRINKING WATER EMERGENCY PURIFICATION
• GIARDIA in DRINKING WATER
• REVERSE OSMOSIS WATER TREATMENT
• WATER FILTER CARTRIDGE CHANGE PROCEDURE
• WATER FILTERS - SEDIMENT & IRON
• WATER QUALITY & QUANTITY San Miguel de Allende
• WATER STAINING CONTAMINANTS
• WATER TREATMENT EQUIPMENT CHOICES other water treatment options besides filters.

Suggested citation for this web page

WATER FILTER CARTRIDGE CHANGE PROCEDURE at InspectApedia.com - online encyclopedia of building & environmental inspection, testing, diagnosis, repair, & problem prevention advice.

Or see this

INDEX to RELATED ARTICLES: ARTICLE INDEX to WATER TREATMENT SYSTEMS

Or use the SEARCH BOX found below to Ask a Question or Search InspectApedia

Ask a Question or Search InspectApedia

Try the search box just below, or if you prefer, post a question or comment in the Comments box below and we will respond promptly.

Note: appearance of your Comment below may be delayed: if your comment contains an image, photograph, web link, or text that looks to the software as if it might be a web link, your posting will appear after it has been approved by a moderator. Apologies for the delay.

Only one image can be added per comment but you can post as many comments, and therefore images, as you like.
You will not receive a notification when a response to your question has been posted.
Please bookmark this page to make it easy for you to check back for our response.
Our Comment Box is provided by Countable Web Productions countable.ca

Citations & References

In addition to any citations in the article above, a full list is available on request.

---

ADVERTISEMENT

---