Having a water filter attached to your refrigerator is convenient and beneficial. You don’t have to worry about keeping a refillable jug of water in your home and you can quickly retrieve water and ice right from the refrigerator door. It comes out cold and tastes great!
Although you can drink your water worry-free on most days, your refrigerator water filter still needs proper maintenance. To ensure the water and ice you drink are clean and safe, it’s important to know the signs of when it’s due for a water filter replacement. If you’re not sure how to tell when it’s time for a new water filter, then you’ll want to continue reading below.
Here are several signs to look out for that you need to buy a water filter!
- The Ice Has an Odd Smell
After you fill a glass with ice and water, you go to take a drink and instantly smell something odd. You’ve drunk your refrigerator water and ice before and know that there shouldn’t be a smell. This time, however, there’s a strange smell of something similar to metallic or sour scent.
It’s most likely the ice. Dump your cup and fill it with water only. Does it still smell?
If not, put some ice in the cup. Are you getting that strange smell again? There could be a few different reasons why your ice smells odd, but if the ice bin is clean, then there’s a good chance it’s the water filter. An old water filter can cause the ice to smell strange and taste different as well.
- The Water Tastes Different
You take a sip of your water after pouring it from the refrigerator and something doesn’t taste right. The water you dispense from your refrigerator shouldn’t taste like anything at all. Where does the water come from?
Water runs from the tap through the water line and through the filter. Then, it’ll go through the ice maker and out the water dispenser. If the water starts to taste bad, then something isn’t right.
The water filter might not be cleaning the water like it should, due to old age.
- The Water Filter Light Is On
Does your refrigerator have a filter light? Be sure to check the manufacturer’s manual to see if it does. A water filter light that’s on is one of the easiest ways to tell that it’s time to replace it, so be sure to keep an eye on this light.
Refrigerators with digital control panels are more likely to have one of these lights. After replacing the filter, you’ll need to reset the light.
- The Ice Cubes Are Small
Small ice cubes are a strong indicator that your water filter needs replacing. When the fill spout can’t fill the ice molds with water fast enough, the ice cubes will be much smaller than usual.
It’s not able to fill the ice cube molds with the time given because an old filter is causing it to run slowly. A quick replacement of the water filter should correct this issue.
- There Are Specks in Water and Ice
The majority of water filters are charcoal filters. These filters contain tiny dust charcoal partials that help filter the water. As the water flows through, the charcoal dust removes contaminants.
A few small charcoal specks might pass through every now and then. This is normal. It’s even more common for this to happen after running a clean setting.
If your water filter isn’t brand new and you’re noticing a lot of black specks, however, then this is a sign that it’s time to replace the filter. The filter could be a leaking filter medium.
- The Water Pressure Is Low
Have you noticed a significant decrease in the water pressure when you go to get a drink from your refrigerator? The water filter is connected to the refrigerator’s water system in line. If the water filter hasn’t been changed in quite some time, then it could be filled with filtered particles that create a clog.
This clog could then prevent water from smoothly passing through the filter and down the dispenser, which can be the cause of the insufficient water pressure. When you try to get water from the dispenser and only get a small trickle, then try replacing the filter.
- You Haven’t Replaced It in a While
Most filters are designed to last between 6-9 months. If it’s been longer than 9 months since you replaces it, then this is a clear sign that it’s time to do so.
To replace the water filter, you first want to ensure you find the correct replacement from www.discountfilters.com. You can read the manufacturer’s manual to determine the exact replacement. Then, locate the water filter, release it, and remove it.
Replace it with the new one and seal it. You’ll then want to run 2 gallons of water through the filter or toss out the first bin of ice to ensure the water filter is clear.
Is It Time to Replace Your Refrigerator Water Filter?
After reading through this guide, have you determined it’s time to replace your refrigerator water filter? If you’ve noticed any of these signs, then the time to replace it is now. Ensure to replace your water filter as often as directed to keep your water clean and tasty.
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