Cartridges for water filters: types, nuances of choice and recommendations for use

No one would argue with the fact that tap water is often unfit for human consumption. At the exit, it is saturated with suspensions of heavy metals and alkaline salts. For its purification, many buy special filters. However, the right choice implies taking into account not only the device itself, but also its replaceable cartridge. The life of the device, as well as the quality characteristics of the water, depend on it.

Water filter cartridges are replaceable blocks in the form of cylinders for cleaning liquid.They are not universal, as they are intended for a specific type of device and differ in the principle of operation. They are chosen to filter nozzles, jugs and devices under the sink. Options for the first type are designed for cranes with good water pressure and have a high resource. Products for filter jugs do not need a stationary installation and often do not have a large resource. Analogues for filters for washing have the highest resource and provide for any degree of water purification.

It is on the cassettes depends on the quality of purified water at the outlet, the resource and directional effect on specific types of suspensions. This is the basis of any filter that aims to perform a specific task. All cartridges serve a certain time, after which they need to be replaced. In the process, they purify the water, so it gets rid of the unpleasant marsh smell and becomes transparent. There is even an improvement in taste.

A large concentration of harmful substances is the cause of gastrointestinal diseases, which many do not even realize. At the same time, too soft water is harmful for those who have diseases of the cardiovascular system.It is important to know which cartridge and filter is needed so as not to aggravate the situation. In most cases, the filter does not purify water from all harmful impurities and hardness at the same time, however, recently manufacturers have produced varieties that can perform several functions.

Therefore, you need to buy the product and replaceable cassettes to it, taking into account the type of water in the water supply system. Before you buy a device, analyze the water. It is necessary to have at least a superficial idea of ​​the life of the cartridge, the degree of cleaning, performance and ease of maintenance of the filter. Otherwise, you can buy a useless thing that can not cope with the task of water purification.

Today, all types of household type cartridges can be divided into several types. Some options are designed for the purification of extremely cold water, while others can clean and hot. They differ in interchangeability. Each type has its advantages and disadvantages, which is important to know before purchasing. For example, not all cassettes are collapsible, so not all of them can be restored to working capacity.Some need special nozzles to allow saline to flow through the device.

The operation of such filters is based on the use of activated carbon, which absorbs impurities from the flowing water. These designs are the simplest of all analogues. In the process, the cleaning capabilities are reduced, so if the cartridge is not timely replaced, the water at the outlet will be dirty.

Based on the type of filter, these cassettes differ in the purification resource:

• options for the jug process no more than 750 liters of water;
• analogues on the crane will clear up to 1000 liters;
• species under the sink will get rid of dirt 7500 liters of fluid.

They are cheaper than the products of another action, and do not need to call the master for a replacement, so they are in demand from buyers. Coal removes the smell and turbidity of the liquid, improving its taste. In this case, the filtering process is carried out in the direction from top to bottom. Sometimes silver and aluminum oxide is added to such a filter, which helps remove organic matter and pesticides. Advantages are compact parameters and ease of transportation. The disadvantages include short life and mandatory replacement no later thandevelop a resource. Otherwise, it will become a breeding ground for bacteria and bacteria harmful to the body.

At the heart of such cartridges are ion exchange resin pellets. During the passage through it, harmful particles are replaced with less hazardous to human health compounds. The resin retains the ions of heavy metals, removes the liquid from the particles of iron, giving instead of sodium ions. The process of exchange of harmful substances varies, depending on the type of filter. For example, the life of a cartridge for a model jug is 100–200 l in total, while at the connection under the sink the cartridge will clean up to 3000 l of liquid.

With this purification, the water becomes tasty and transparent. These mechanisms can even clean water from wastewater. They are compact and simple, representing the construction of the body with resin and flow distributor. However, this fluid is contraindicated for use by hypertensive patients and those who have diseases of the cardiovascular system. In addition, the disadvantage is the low filtration rate. These cartridges are not suitable for attachment models.

These cartridges are a kind of molecular sieve with microscopic dimensions of the cells, passing only the molecules of water and gases, which give it a good taste.In this case, all impurities that exceed the size of the cells remain on the membrane. Today, these filters have a number of varieties, allowing the buyer to choose options for fine cleaning of the fluid in accordance with certain requirements.

For example, in the market you can buy such products with the principle of cleaning:

• mechanical;
• electromechanical;
• sorption;
• reverse osmosis.

These tapes are the most durable, because they have a greater resource. All the dirt enters the drainage, while you can clean up to 15,000 liters of fluid. They trap 100% of insoluble solids, chemical and organic compounds. The disadvantages of membrane mechanisms are high water consumption, as well as a high degree of demineralization. In addition, they are demanding on the pressure in the water supply and often need a pump in the absence of pressure.

Cartridges for water filters of this type reduce the concentration of harmful impurities in the liquid due to forced pushing. Cleaning is carried out in 2 stages.

On the first - water passes through 3 replaceable cartridges:

• polypropylene performs rough (mechanical) cleaning, eliminating sand and rust;
• activated carbon does not allow chlorine and herbicides to pass through;
• pressed coal retains organic particles.

Next, the purified liquid enters the membrane, where it is divided into 2 streams. The cleaned stream enters the tank for use, the dirty liquid is disposed of in the sewer. A constant flow can reach 2 liters at a pressure of 3.5 atmospheres. These cartridges are considered the best cleaners for water filters. It is with their help that water that is sold in stores is purified. The disadvantage of such devices is the need for the storage tank. In addition, they are demanding on the pressure in the system, so they may need to install a pump, which will require additional space. They are characterized by high water consumption and high cost.

The cartridge mechanism of different types is different. Replaceable cassettes differ not only in purpose (for softening hard water and getting rid of iron), but also in the type of construction. They are mesh and winding (rope). Winding-type options eliminate water from sand, rust, sludge, as well as insoluble suspended matter, providing mechanical cleaning.When choosing this product, you need to pay attention to the operating temperature to see if the cartridge is suitable for treating hot water.

Some of the options provide for extremely coarse cleaning, while other mechanisms are designed for ultrafiltration membrane cleaning. For example, there are variations with fluid conditioning function. In this case, not only mechanical, but also sorption and ion-exchange purification is performed. Water from the water supply system will be instantly cleaned to the drinking class, which does not require additional treatment (softening or boiling).

Desktop flow-type filters are connected to the faucet via an adapter. Such cartridges have from 1 to 3 degrees of purification and, in addition to coal, can have polypropylene fiber as a filter element. Cartridges for flow-type filters are inserted into a flask mounted in the system, located under the sink. They are characterized by increased productivity. Not all cartridges can be regenerated, and after it the resource of the cleaner becomes less. Different products and sizes in height (for example, 10, 20 inches), which is indicated on the marking and simplifies the selection.According to the method of work, they can be not only mesh and thread, but also polypropylene, disk, bag.

The modern market of cleaning appliances offers a wide range of replaceable cassettes for water filters.

In order not to get lost in the wealth of choice, you can look at the products of companies tested by time and highly appreciated by consumers.

• "Barrier" and "Akvafor line" - The best cartridges for filter jugs, differing mainly by positive customer reviews.
• Aquastyle - flow filters with triple purity, ease of use and reasonable cost. The disadvantage of products is insufficient, according to some users, water softening.
• "Poseidon" - cartridges for softening household type, the minus of which is low productivity.
• Atoll produces replaceable reverse osmosis modules with a mineralizer. The disadvantages, according to some buyers, are the taste of purified water and the wastefulness of water in operation.
• Raifil - mechanical cleaning options, as well as models for every taste and budget, according to the review of reviews, the disadvantage is the high cost of the best products.

The cartridge is matched to a specific filter model, taking into account water and the required quality after cleaning. Each type of product differs in service life, which depends on the characteristics of the fluid. Initially, you need to decide on the type of filter, since for some options the required pressure in the water supply system matters. The necessary data can be found in the documentation of the cartridge.

The capacity of the cassette must meet the needs. They look not only at the pollution of water, but also at the cost of the purifier. It is important to take into account the degree of purification, since the coarse cleaning options will not cope with the removal of fine suspensions. The buyer must understand what method will be the purification of water. It is necessary to evaluate the effectiveness of purification from impurities, to consider options, taking into account the pressure in the water supply system.

It is not difficult to change the cartridge in the filter, especially for jug ​​models. But if the device is built into the system, you will need to first stop the water supply.

To do this correctly, you can follow the following installation sequence, performing each step in order:

• in the absence of an overlapping tap, the water supply is completely cut off;
• gently unscrew the flask, reducing the pressure by means of a valve located after the filter;
• carefully remove the spent cleaning element;
• gum is washed or replaced with new ones;
• drain the remaining liquid, flush the flask;
• with full overlapping of the system prepare the container with water;
• a new cleaning module is placed in a clean flask;
• fill the flask with water, eliminating air bubbles;
• screw the flask to the stop and check the reliability of the fasteners by turning the tap to supply water to the device;
• in the event of leaks, replace the rubber sealing ring;
• perform washing for 10-15 minutes.

The most difficult for the buyer is the analysis of water. And here you need to rely on turbidity, a specific smell, the presence of rust. These are visible nuances. Hardness can be determined by the ability of water to wash: the more soap is needed, the harder the water.So, we need a cartridge to soften it, which will rid the water of calcium and magnesium salts. Softening is necessary if scum is noticed on the walls of the kettle or heating element of the washing machine.

When the washed laundry has a characteristic grayish color, the concentration of heavy metals and manganese salts in the water is exceeded. The stains on the mirror after washing and sediment of separated water indicate the need to use a cartridge. If you choose between varieties, it is worthwhile to give preference to cassettes for membrane and osmotic filters. At the outlet, the water will be clean, which will eliminate the need for boiling to clean it from bacteria and chlorine.

To simplify the selection, you can consider a few recommendations.

• To get rid of water from rust, you can use an adsorption or membrane-type iron removal iron cartridge.
• Water from a well is not recommended to be purified to distilled. This can affect the load on the heart.
• It is undesirable to use ion-exchange cartridges for cleaning the fluid in the water supply system for people with hypertension.
• Extruded carbon is more effective than activated carbon. However, the bandwidth of this cassette is less.
• For effective cleaning, you need to choose the option with a preliminary degree of mechanical cleaning at the level of 1 or 5 microns.
• An additional screen filter with the fineness of purification of the order of 10-100 microns will also be useful.

• Wash the water from the iron will help filter with a cartridge-iron remover.
• Chlorinated water is better to clean carbon cartridges.
• To save water from a large number of chemical compounds and make it tasty, you should look at the options based on coal.
• The number of flasks should correspond to the required number of cleaning levels.
• You need to choose the product in the same place where the purchase of the filter itself was carried out.

How to replace the cartridges for water filters, see the following video.