Frequently Asked Questions
How would I know if a filter needs replacement?
For most cartridges, it is recommended to change the cartridge either after its capacity (specified in gallons) is reached or after 6 months from first use, whichever is earlier. Another important sign to look for in determining a need for filter replacement is the water taste. If it doesn’t taste like filtered water anymore, then should consider replacing the filter. Also when the water pressure becomes low, you should consider changing the filter cartridge.
Once I buy the system, where do I buy the replacement filters for each stage.
Replacement cartridge information is available on the each filter page.
Should all filters be changed at the same time. I'm not losing any water pressure.
It is recommended to change all filters at the same time. Exception is in case of 3-stage Whole house and RO systems. In RO, the blue membrane lasts upto 2 yrs, while other cartridges last about 12-6 months.
Are Anchor products BPA free? What is the plastic made from?
All our products are BPA free and comply with safely specifications. The plastic is made from NSF-certified, FDA-grade material.
Do The Filters Work In Hot Water? How Does The Heat Affect Plastic?
The filters are not meant to be used with hot water. As long as cold water is used, no plastic is released in the water. All the plastic used in our filters are BPA free and food grade.
How Do I Remove Rotten Egg (Sulphur) Smell From My Water?
The rotten egg smell in water is due to hydrogen sulfide gas. If odor is your biggest concern then you will need more carbon in your filter. Filters with granular activated carbon (GAC) media are effective in removing this when it is present in low levels (up to about 0.3 ppm).
How Do I Remove Fluoride From Water?
Reverse Osmosis filters are the most common and effective filtration device to remove fluoride from water.
Which Filters Remove Chloramines?
Filters with granular activated carbon (GAC) media are effective in removing Chloramines.
Do Anchor Systems Filter Out Chlorine?
Filtration systems with carbon block remove heavy chlorine byproducts such as THM and TCE.
Which System Reduces Calcium?
Filtration systems with carbon block reduce calcium.
Do Anchor Filters Remove PFOA & PFOS?
Filters that contain GAC media is the best to reduce PFAS, PFOA and PFOS contaminants. However, a wide range of tests on these contaminants have not been done by most manufacturers in the industry.
In The Countertop Models Is There An Advantage Of Having More Stages?
If really depends on what contaminants you want to remove, and if you want to add taste/pH/minerals to your water - something that only 5, 7, and 10 stage filter cartridges do.
In The Whole House System What Is The Sequence Of Different Filters?
First filter, where the water comes in, use sediment filter. Next is GAC+Carbon cartridge in case of 3-stage only. And the last one is carbon block filter.
Does Your System Come With A Pressure Release Valve, Which Makes It Easier To Change Filters?
The Whole House filtration systems come with pressure release valves.
What Kind Of Warranty Do You Offer On Your Filter Systems And What Is Covered And What Is Not?
Please see the warranty page for details.
Installation and troubleshooting
What Is The Right Way To Install A Replacement Cartridge In A Countertop Unit?
See the picture below:
How Do I Change The Diverter Valve?
See the picture below:
I Need Some Assistance To Change The Filter Cartridge. The Base Seems To Be Stuck.
Sometimes it gets jammed if not opened for a while. Please click on the video link below for instructions to unscrew the filter:
https://youtu.be/Z7sGLCeC4_s
Should I Install The Whole House System Before The Water Softener Or After?
The whole house system should be installed after the water softener to ensure best water flow rate.
In My Filter System Tube Is Leaking At Connector. Pulling And Pushing Tube Did Not Help.
It could it be that you did not push the tubing in all the way into the elbow fitting. Make sure to push the tube into the fitting until you feel or hear a “click”.
When The Water Was Turned Back On The Filter Housing Leaks.
Try to re-tighten by removing the filter housing (leaving the cap screwed on the bracket is fine). Ensure that proper items with right fittings were used to install.
More details about filtration process and media
What Is A Reverse Osmosis System?
Reverse osmosis systems produce pure water by forcing untreated water or tap water through a semi permeable membrane. The membrane lets only water molecules pass through directing it to the units storage tank,the impurities that are separated from the water molecules are forced down the drain. The system consists of both pre and post filters which add additional contaminant removal.
What is activated carbon and what does it do?
Carbon used in filtration applications is produced by grinding a carbon source - like bituminous coal, peat or coconut shells and heating the material in the absence of oxygen to 1000 degrees to bake off impurities. The material is then subjected to 1600-degree steam to “activate” the carbon. The steam leaves carbon granules filled with cracks and pores, enabling them to store large amounts of chemicals. One pound of activated carbon (the amount in a standard ten-inch filter cartridge) has the equivalent surface area of a 160 acre farm. Carbon removes contaminants in two ways: through adsorption, contaminants are attracted to the surface of the activated carbon and held to it in much the same way a magnet attracts and holds iron filings; and by acting as a catalyst to change the chemical composition of some contaminants. Activated carbon is ideal for removing chlorine, organic chemicals such as many kinds of pesticides, THMs like chloroform and many VOCs that are components of gasoline, solvents and industrial cleaners.
Why use KDF Process Media?
- KDF 55 Medium - Read about this in our blog "What and Why of KDF 55 Filter Media?"
- KDF 85 Medium Removes or reduces iron and hydrogen sulfide from municipal or other water supplies. Also controls scale, bacteria and algae.