Water Filter Tap Cartridges

Many people who own water filtration systems hardly give a thought to the components contained in these essential devices. In fact, aside from the occasional filter replacement, most people don’t even bother to check whether or not components such as water filter tap cartridges are clean and still in good condition. It is actually a good idea to check on these parts frequently, as their condition has a lot to do with the effectiveness of your water filtration system.

Water filter cartridges defined

Water filter tap cartridges are the central components of most types of water filtration systems. These components are primarily responsible for the actual filtration process, so it is important to know how they work and how to maintain them. Well-maintained water filter tap cartridges are better able to filter out contaminants from the water. When water filter tap cartridges are left for long periods without cleaning, they are not only less effective at filtering water, but they may actually harbor contaminants as well.

As effective as most commercially available water filter tap cartridges are, there is no single type of cartridge that can filter out all the possible contaminants in tap water. In general, the best water filtration systems on the market are those that utilize two or more different types of water filter tap cartridges.

Types of water filter cartridges

The two most commonly available water filter tap cartridges on the market are:

  • Sediment cartridges
  • Carbon cartridges 

Sediment water filter tap cartridges are suitable for removing fine particles from water. Among the contaminants that sediment water filter tap cartridges can effectively remove are:

  • Sand
  • Asbestos
  • Silt

Sediment water filter tap cartridges are rated according to the types and sizes of the particles they can filter out. Sediment water filter tap cartridges rated at smaller microns can remove smaller sized particles from the water.

Sediment water filter tap cartridges are generally cheaper than other types of water filtration systems, since the components used for filtering (typically polyester, cellulose fibers, and ceramic) are less expensive than the materials used in other types of water filters. While some sediment water filter tap cartridges can be cleaned simply by washing the crucial components, some models do not feature removable components, and therefore will have to be replaced when they get dirty.

Carbon water filter tap cartridges use either activated carbon or carbon fiber blocks that effectively remove contaminants that sediment water filter tap cartridges cannot filter out. In addition to filtering out a wide variety of contaminants such as pesticides, lead and other heavy metals, these types of water filter tap cartridges are also particularly effective at filtering out chlorine from tap water. The result is cleaner and fresher tasting water that is mostly free of contaminants. Unlike sediment water filter tap cartridges however, carbon-based water filter tap cartridges generally cannot be removed for cleaning, which means that replacement is the only option when they get dirty. On the plus side, these types of water filter tap cartridges generally last longer than sediment water filter tap cartridges.

 

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