Water comes out very slowly from Filter.

[sk545]

We bought and installed a GE Smartwater Filter kit (http://www.geappliances.com/smartwater/model_fs.htm?GX1S50F) that came with a filter and the spout/faucet attachment, etc. After using it for about 3 months, the flow from the spout has diminished to the point that its not worth wasting ones time filling up a glass (it had been deminishing bit by bit, over 3 months). I tried checking the pipes that were attached to the filter, and they have quite a bit of pressure when there is no filter attached. However, as soon as the filter is attached, i noticed that the side where the filtered water comes out from, is just as slow as the spout. So i am 99% sure its the filter. What is causing this? I experience the same thing with PUR filters as well (pur's only lasted 2 weeks before i had this same problem with them). I mean it says on the GE filter that it would last about 6months, and we here have 4 people in the house using it only for drinking.

Thanks.

[majakdragon]

You don't say if you are on city water or a well. If it's a well, you may have lots of impurities that are being "filtered" but filling the filter faster than anticipated. Keep watching this post as other experts may have a reason for this. Good luck.

[sk545]

sorry, its a city water supply.

[Gary Slusser]

The filter seems to be clogging up with 'dirt' and your water requires more frequent filter replacement. You should have a multiple stage filter so the first cartridge would protect the second from most of the 'dirt' especially if you have a carbon block cartridge.

Gary
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Doug Aleshire, Super Moderator 2

[sk545]

multiple stage filter? Is that the same as 'dual stage filtration', like here:

http://www.geappliances.com/smartwater/dw_dual.htm

If not, could you please recommend such a filter?

I am also wondering how this would work. I mean if we get two of the same filters working, then one of them would keep dying out in a couple of months while the other keeps working?? Is that correct? It just seems to costly to 'kill' off one filter for no reason.

Thanks.

[Gary Slusser]

Yes like that but they are using two carbon filters instead of a sediment and then carbon. Independent dealers are a much better source and they sell nonproprietary equipment. You find them on the internet and in your yellow pages.

Gary
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Doug Aleshire, Super Moderator 2

[sk545]

thx, although i am not quite sure what to get, i have a rough idea. I'll take a trip down the depot and see what they have. Will report back.

[sk545]

ok, i *think* i found what i wanted:

http://www.homedepot.com/prel80/HDUS/EN_US/diy_main/pg_diy.jsp?prod_id=162838&cm_ven=1hd.com2froogle&cm_cat=product&cm_pla=feed&cm_ite=froogle

Is that the one? Its the only one i found at depot, at least. It seems pretty expensive since i have to add a faucet too..so around $120. What i am wondering is that if other companies make a similar product for a cheaper price...or am i able to just use any 'ol GE single filter containers and 'chain' them together...Since i did find the single containers to be much cheaper.

Thanks.

[B Connelly]

Sounds to me like the first one in line will plug up just as fast as the one you have . You may need to install a whole house filter where the water comes into your house. What does the filter look like when you change it? Is it brown? (iron) greyish looking? (silt/sand). Bottom line is it needs changing more than every six months and thats because of your water , not because of the filter itself. Have your water tested. Some of the filters on the market just can`t handle certain water situations like they say they can. To me its like driving a Mack Truck up Mount Everest with a volkswagen engine in it . I t just won`t make it.
Bill Connelly Bethel Ct

[sk545]

What does the filter look like when you change it? Is it brown? (iron) greyish looking? (silt/sand).
Not sure since the ge smartwater filters that i was using are completly closed, i.e. i would have to break the canister to look at the filter color.
Sounds to me like the first one in line will plug up just as fast as the one you have .
True, but the first one (sediment) is way cheaper to replace than the second one, right? At least thats what i am thinking...The sediment ones cost like $6 while the second charcoal ones vary from $20+.

[B Connelly]

Yes now I see , they are the kind that twist off and pull out and are completely enclosed . Yeah you`re right that would make sense. You need to buy a whole new unit with the two filters? I guess you could see if that works for you ..
Give it a try

[sk545]

Yes, i returned the old one (thx to depot's awesome return policy), so right now i have nothing.

After coming back home, i looked at these forums for info, and found the following:

http://www.homedepot.com/prel80/HDUS/EN_US/diy_main/pg_diy.jsp?prod_id=162838&cm_ven=1hd.com2froogle&cm_cat=product&cm_pla=feed&cm_ite=froogle

And thats the direction i am headed in. Like you said, it wouldn't hurt to try it, since i could always return it. Not like i want to return it, i want it to work, hopefully it will.

[B Connelly]

That looks to be the type you open up and insert cartridges into . You can actually see what it is your filtering for the most part . There are different micron sized filters to choose from. "Fine" filtration from 1 to 10 microns to medium(20) to large (50 microns) . The finer the filters the sooner you need to change them, all depending on your water and what your filtering. Take it one step further and you`d be installing a reverse osmossis system utilizing a semi-permeable membrane. That system works differently,it "makes"
water and sets it aside in a small storage tank . For drinking water only .What I see you getting will remove particulates and also remove chlorine from the city water supply for drinking . RO systems take it a different level that you may not need and they are expensive.I have city water where I live and I have a 1.5 cu. ft activated carbon filter in a 10x54" tank with a backwashing control valve, followed by a water softener. It filters ALL the water in the house . Removing chlorine ,hardness . My city water is hard , most of it in my community comes from well water. Bill Connelly Bethel Ct

[sk545]

Thx for the info. I would like to try the 'dual-stage' setup and see how that goes, who know, maybe its all we'll need.

One thing thats got me stumped is that could i 'link' together two single stage GE canisters and get away with that? Or is there something special going on in that 'dual-stage' GE?

[B Connelly]

No nothing special going on in there . Linking the two would work , I would rather deal with multi stage you were checking out . Easier to deal with and the filter cartridges are easier to find. You can pick them up in almost ANY hardware store ,home improvement store ,etc

[sk545]

yeah, problem is that model (dual) is only available online. Since i don't know if its going to work or not and that i might have to return it, i would rather buy it from a store. The home depot's over here carry just the single kind, that dual one has been clearanced out (i called with the sku's and was told so). So i am stuck with 'linking' together two single ones. The issue with the single ones is that they don't come with a install kit, so one has to go around the store and find the correct fittings, tubings, etc. Shouldn't be too bad if they have someone knowlegable working in the plumbing department. Otherwise, i am not so sure...

The fittings i am going with or want to go with are the 'quick-connect' kind since then i don't have to tighten/clamp on the tubes. The 'quick-connect' just 'snap-in' the tubing into place. At least i think thats a good idea....

[Gary Slusser]

The first cartridge is used to protect the different and usually more expensive second cartridge. The best place to find what you are looking for is the water treament industry, any local or internet dealer has all this stuff and it's usually industry standard and nonproprietary and they have the knowledge of what and how that you and store clerks don't.

The short faucet isn't a good choice, the long reach swivel is much better. The quick connect fittings are more expensive and harder to find if you break one or have a leaking one. JACO nut type compression are better in that regard.

Gary
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Doug Aleshire, Super Moderator 2