Frequently asked questions

How do I know what is in my water?

If you are on a municipal water supply, you should head over to your water supplier’s (United Utilities, Severn Trent, etc…) “Consumer Confidence Report” (CRC) or “Water Analysis Report” to learn what is in your water. Your water suppliers are required to update this at least yearly by law. If you are on a private water supply such as well/borehole water, you can send a sample off for a water analysis from a certified laboratory. For the latter, most companies (including Finerfilters and our sister company Finersystems) will require you have an analysis done before advising what water filter to go for.

How long will a filter last for?

It is recommended that carbon-based filters are changed every 6 months as per the manufacturers’ guidelines, however there are some filters on the market where the recommendation is to change every 12 months or longer. Other cartridges such as sediment filters usually have a lifespan of 6 months depending on factors such as: incoming water quality, pressure, flow rate, etc… Each filter is unique in terms of how long it lasts for, so you are best off looking at the listing information or label of the filter to find out the stated capacity.

If I use less water can I change the filter less frequently?

Current industry standards dictate that most filters should be changed every six months as this is their optimum life span. Most filters will have a stated litre or gallon capacity guideline. Once the filter has been flushed through, it should be changed at least 6 months thereafter. The main reason for this is over a period, the carbon inside the filter begins to harbour bacteria. This may significantly reduce the filtration performance of the filter as it can reduce flow rate, reduction capabilities and can potentially leech bacterial contaminants into your water supply. This can be avoided if the carbon is mixed with a bacteriostatic media such as KDF or silver.

Should my water be grey and cloudy?

When a carbon filter is first installed or changed it is normal to see black carbon fines in the water and for it to be cloudy. These are harmless and will clear quickly by flushing water through the filter until it runs clear.  You may also find that this may occur if the filter is left for a period without use, repeat the process of flushing through until water is clear again.

What is the difference between genuine and compatible filters?

It is our company policy to offer genuine products at competitive prices. We work hard to constantly source our products at the best prices to allow us to pass this saving on to our customers. Genuine products can sometimes be expensive, so we try, if available, to offer compatible versions to give our customers a greater choice.  All compatible filters we sell have been fully tested to make sure that they meet our high standards.  The difference between the genuine and the compatible versions is that they are produced by different manufacturers. Often the compatible filters are produced by manufacturers with a lower cost base which allows them to sell to us at much lower prices which in turn allows us to pass savings on to you the Customer.

There are so many options, how do I know which filter I need?

There are many filter types available on the market whether it be a simple carbon filter, scale eradication, ceramic candles, or twist fit cartridges – we supply them all and we are here to help! Our sales staff have over 30 years’ experience within the water treatment industry and our friendly team will advise on your specific application. We are not affiliated to any manufacturer and therefore will always give impartial advice with no hard sell.

What is the difference between screw cap and push fit connections?

In water filtration, 1/4″ tubing is primarily supplied with water filter systems. Both screw cap and push fit connections accept ¼” tubing.  The screw cap connection needs the tubing fed through the locking nut into the filter and secured with a tube insert so the locking nut can be tightened to complete the seal. Whereas the tubing is pushed directly into the push fit connection until the tubing locks in place and cannot be removed.  Both types work perfectly although it is thought within the industry that the push fit connections offer a better seal.

How do I remove my tubing from my push fit filter?

The push fit connector on either end of the filter has a collet which the tubing is inserted into, and a blue collet clip which raises the collet off the filter body. When the collet is raised, it grips onto the tubing, holding it in place. Do not try to pull the tubing out as this will pull the collet out of the filter.
Firstly, remove the collet clip by using your finger nail to pop it out of place using the little tab fitted to the top of the clip. Then, using your thumbnail, depress the collet back towards the filter body so it sits flush. Once the collet sits equally flush with the filter, the tubing should be pulled simultaneously with the collet being depressed which should free the tubing so that it can easily be removed. The collet MUST sit flat with the filter body whilst you pull the tubing for it to be released. You can find a video example here at our sister site - Finersystems

What if I still have a question? 

Here at Finerfilters Ltd we pride ourselves on our customer service and our team are on hand to resolve any issues that you may have, or to offer any technical assistance that you need. Please visit our Help Centre for ways to contact us.