Is your Brita filtering fast? Brita is a popular brand of water filters that can remove chlorine, lead, mercury, pesticides, and other contaminants from tap water. When filling a Brita, the water flows through the activated carbon filter to improve drinking water quality.
The standard Brita water filtration process is slow-paced because the water must work its way through the various filtration materials and carbon blocks used to remove the contaminants. You can expect the entire duration to be between 10 to 20 minutes each time.
In some cases, the Brita will filter the water faster than the standard timeframe, leading to curiosity from the owner. This article will cover some of the potential reasons why a Brita is filtering fast and what you can do about it.
The Reasons Why a Brita Filter Passes Water Too Quickly
Is your Brita filter cleaning your water in less than 10 minutes? If you notice your Brita filter moving water this fast, you might be worried that your water is not getting appropriately filtered.
It is likely possible that something in your filter needs to be repaired or replaced, such as your carbon filter cartridge. Here are the most common reasons why Brita filters move water too quickly:
- Worn Out Filter Cartridge
- Poor Installation of the Brita Filter or Equipment
- The Sign of a New Filter
- Incompatible Filter Cartridge
- Damaged Filter Cartridge
- Damaged Filter Equipment
Try to resolve the problem before attempting to drink water from the filter. That way, you can be completely confident that your filter is producing clean water.
How to Fix a Brita Filter That Has Fast-Moving Water
Let us review the reasons outlined above and the best ways to resolve them.
1) Worn Out Filter Cartridge
Frequent use of a Brita filter wears down the cartridge by degrading its material and allowing water to pass through it faster. If you have had the same filter cartridge in your Brita filter for longer than six months, it is probably time for you to replace it with a new one.
Old Brita filters have too many gaps in their material, which reduces the effectiveness of the filtration. That is why water passes through so fast. If you want to feel confident that the water you are drinking is safe, you should replace the filters after their recommended lifespan.
2) Poor Installation of the Brita Filter or Equipment
Did you install your Brita filter or equipment correctly? For instance, if you have a Brita filter mount attachment for your kitchen faucet, did you mount it to the faucet correctly? What about the filter cartridge? Did you load it into the equipment correctly?
Poor installation is another common reason why water passes through a Brita filter quickly. The sign of a poorly installed filter is when water leaks out fast from the sides of the filter. If installed correctly, the water would come out from the bottom of the filter.
Try removing and reinstalling the Brita filter cartridge and equipment. Use the installation instructions that came with the Brita product to guide you. That should fix the problem.
3) The Sign of a New Filter
Did you replace an old filter cartridge with a new one but still see the water moving quickly through it? You may not have anything to worry about in this situation.
It is perfectly normal for water to pass through a new filter cartridge quickly because there are no debris or contaminants trapped in the pores of the filter material. Without any of these obstructions, water can move right through the pores.
After you use the filter a few more times, you should start to notice the water moving more slowly through the filter. Then, you will know it is working fine.
4) Incompatible Filter Cartridge
Did you purchase the correct cartridge for your Brita filter equipment? It is critical to only purchase official Brita-branded filter cartridges, which are guaranteed to be compatible with your Brita equipment.
Avoid purchasing third-party knockoffs and non-genuine Brita filter cartridges. They will not do as good a job of filtering your water because they were not explicitly designed or authorized for your Brita filter equipment.
5) Damaged Filter Cartridge
Brita filter cartridges are somewhat fragile. They can easily get damaged when shipped in the mail to you or the retail store selling them.
You can tell if your filter cartridge is damaged, faulty, or broken because it won’t securely fit in the Brita filter equipment. You may even see chipped or loose pieces of the filter lying around the box.
If you see anything like this, return the filter to the vendor and request a replacement immediately.
6) Damaged Filter Equipment
The worst-case scenario is that your Brita filter equipment is damaged. If you just purchased it, then it probably got damaged when shipped to you. Look for loose or broken pieces of the equipment in the box to see if it was damaged.
If new Brita filter equipment arrives damaged, you can return it for a free replacement. On the other hand, if you have had the filter equipment for a long time, you will need to pay for a replacement. But first, make sure the older equipment is the problem and not the cartridge before buying a new one.
Most Brita filters contain two key components: the filter cartridge and the container equipment that holds it in place. The equipment has a locking mechanism to secure the cartridge inside. If the cartridge cannot stay secured in the container, it might be because the locking mechanism is broken.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you notice water taking longer than 20 minutes to pass through the filter, you may have too much debris or contaminants clogging the filter material. It is a sign that your filter is too old and should be replaced.
When it comes out of the filter, the water should appear clear and clean. However, if the water looks cloudy or foggy, it could mean something is wrong with the filter cartridge. If that is the case, replace it immediately.
Conclusion
Now you know what to do the next time water moves too fast through your Brita water filter. The solutions are to replace the filter cartridge, reinstall the filter cartridge, or replace the filter equipment. These solutions should stop the Brita from filtering so fast.
If you have any questions about which solution is appropriate for your situation, you should contact Brita’s customer support representatives or look online at their many informative YouTube videos. They can help you look for the appropriate signs of damage or faulty hardware and recommend the best solution.