Identify and replace a water filter

January 21, 2024 7:05 AM

Our well room has this filter housing (direct link to photo) in between the pressure tank and the water conditioner. There aren't any identifying marks (like brand or anything) on it. (1) How do I figure out what kind of replacement filter goes in it, and (2) what's the red button on top for?
posted by Wolfdog to Home & Garden (7 answers total)

That looks like a 'standard'ish 9-3/4" x 2-3/8" filter. Google around for water filter housings and you'll probably be able to find yours just based on appearance to double check.

The button on top is for breaking the seal as you unscrew it, it might spurt out a little stream of water. I assume you've got this, but you want to turn off the water on both sides of the filter housing before changing the filter
posted by so fucking future at 7:19 AM on January 21 [2 favorites]

Our filter system came with a plastic wrench for unscrewing and re-screwing the filter housing, which I have found helpful. It might be worth looking around to see if someone left one nearby.
posted by baseballpajamas at 7:40 AM on January 21 [1 favorite]

We have a similar system. I believe the red button is used to release the housing so you can turn off the water and change the filter. These are the filters we use.
posted by Xurando at 7:43 AM on January 21

So fucking future has it. They are standard.

My only advice is to get 1 micron woven filters.
posted by terrapin at 1:39 PM on January 21

The best way to find the right filter is to take the old one out and measure it.

You'll want a wrench, they're usually on too tight to just spin off by hand. They look like these, you might have one near the filter.

If you don't have one Ebay usually has them for $3-4, you could also a wrench like this, which might be more handy around the house.

To take it off, you have to shutoff the water to the filter. Ideally, the installer put shutoff valves on both the input and output sides, but if they didn't you can just shut off the main valve.

Put a bucket under the filter when you remove it, it's going to have water run out.

The red button is to release the water pressure in the filter before you remove it.

I noticed that your filter is just hanging of the pipes, this really isn't the best solution, it may take a lot of torque to remove the filter, which could stress the pipes. Usually, this kind of bracket can mount the filter to the wall. Your filter probably has mounting points on top, you can measure to see if that bracket would fit.

Good luck!
posted by Marky at 11:51 PM on January 21 [2 favorites]

You might also consider just getting a plumber to do it this first time. It'll cost $$$ of course, but they'll be prepared to deal with it properly, and you can watch and learn and do the filter changes yourself from then on. It seems like there's going to be a LOT to go wrong the first time you do this, both because of the condition right now and your inexperience.
posted by intermod at 6:53 AM on January 22

Response by poster: If anyone wants an update/resolution:

1. I have had a filter system of this general type before so I knew the basics, but I wanted to have the right filter on hand before I opened it up. Thanks, all, for a lot of useful advice, though.
2. Ultimately I decided that having the thing hanging unsupported from the PEX pipe was a much bigger problem waiting to happen, so I ended up putting in a proper mount on the wall, and replacing the whole housing/filter system with a new one.

posted by Wolfdog at 11:38 AM on January 29