An unchanged water filter can produce water with a foul odour or a strange taste. A dirty or clogged water filter can also affect the mechanical actions within your refrigerator, such as the Ice dispenser. A refrigerator with a water dispensing function is a significant investment and really should be treated as such.
An expired water filter may no longer effectively remove contaminants, compromising the quality and safety of your drinking water. It can result in poor-tasting water and potentially expose you to harmful substances.
This means that bacteria like E. coli and Legionella, as well as giardia and cryptosporidium could be waiting in the wings — ready to make its way into your morning cup of water.
Filters in residential settings should be changed every 6 to 12 months. Reverse osmosis, membranes, and additional alkalisers only need to be changed ever 2 years or 4 years, respectively.
If your filter is genuinely clogged you will have reduced flow at the spigot. It the water is slow coming out do not drink it. The water probably won't cause genuine harm but it's flavor will be off and could potentially cause distress. Replace your refrigerator's water filter per the manufacturers recommendations.
Because they're susceptible to the build up of dirt and debris, old fridge water filters may not be able to prevent contaminants from tainting drinking water as well. To ensure drinkable, fresh tasting water for your family, be sure to change your fridge's water filter every six months.
If you don't change your filter, you may end up consuming harmful bacteria, chemicals, and particles every time you get a glass of water from the fridge. If the water coming from your refrigerator is found to be contaminated, it may not be the filter's fault.
Unhealthy and Poor Air Quality
Unkempt air filters may negatively affect indoor air quality by spreading pet dander, dust, and other allergens throughout your home. This may lead to irritated eyes, nose, and potentially breathing problems.
Water filters don't expire like food or medicine. But over time, especially in hot or humid places, they can become less effective. Bacteria or mold may grow inside, weakening the filter. It won't suddenly stop working, but it won't filter as well.
Health Risks: Drinking from an old filter can expose individuals to harmful chemicals and heavy metals that the filter was initially designed to remove. This can lead to health issues, especially in vulnerable populations like pregnant women, children, and the elderly.
Most household drinking water filters last between 6 to 12 months and need to be changed to maintain effectiveness. However, some filters like those in pitchers have shorter lifespans and may need to be replaced every 1 to 2 months. On the other hand, some whole house water filters can last between 5 to 10 years.
Filters can be a good place for bacteria to grow because there is plenty of water present, filters are dark and warm, and bacteria can feed on the organics present.
Bacterial Growth: Old water filters can become a breeding ground for bacteria. When a filter reaches its capacity, it not only stops filtering effectively but can also start leeching trapped bacteria and minerals back into the water. That's when you start seeing floaties and other unwanted particles in your water.
It actually may be worse for you to drink from a pitcher with an unchanged old Brita filter than from the tap because Brita filters, over time, will grow bacteria.
An unchanged water filter can produce water with a foul odour or a strange taste. A dirty or clogged water filter can also affect the mechanical actions within your refrigerator, such as the Ice dispenser. A refrigerator with a water dispensing function is a significant investment and really should be treated as such.
If you've ever replaced the water filter in your refrigerator, you know they don't come cheap. Some cost as much as $60, which means that if you follow directions and change your filter every six months, that can really add up.
Refrigerator filters should be replaced every 6 months. Never leave a filter in place longer than a year. The longer you use a carbon filter beyond its maximum capacity, the more harmful your water could become.
Drinking water from a fridge with a bad filter can pose several health and maintenance risks. Contaminants that a properly functioning filter would normally remove can accumulate, leading to potential health issues, unpleasant odors, and compromised water quality.
While a sudden change in the taste, odor, or color of your water can indicate that your filter is failing, high levels of important contaminants, such as pathogens, arsenic, lead, and nitrates, are not observable to your senses. The only way to truly know whether or not your filter is working is to test your water.
What if it's more than just a few slip-ups? In some rare cases, losing your “filter” can be a sign of something more serious, such as damage to the frontal lobes due to a brain injury or stroke, or a neurodegenerative condition such as frontotemporal dementia.
The worst part about mold is that it grows on hard-to-reach areas in the dispenser. Mold can also develop in the ice maker, contaminating ice with salmonella, E. coli, and shigella. Then again, we must keep in mind that not all fridge water filters are designed to remove bacteria and other pathogens from water.
Stress on Your Fridge: A clogged filter forces your refrigerator's water system to work harder, which can cause to leaks, damage to the water pump, or even complete failure of the water dispenser or ice maker.
The unfortunate truth is refrigerator filters can't always be relied on to remove harmful substances and bacteria from your drinking water, and, therefore, the water isn't as clean as it could be.