Neglected Water Filter Problems???

[jctaylor]

Greetings! Assisting an elderly home owner that has experienced much debri in their water. Their plumbing is 99% copper and their 50 gallon water heater is less than 30 days old. The problem is deposits of white and dark particles found in the screens of several faucets. I have observed a water filter, "Aqua Flow" with no model number displayed. It appears the water filter has not been changed for 10 or maybe 20+ years. About 5 days ago, I adjusted the filter system to bypass the filtering of the water. It appears the amount of debri has decreased. Meanwhile, I attempted to remove the filter. First I shut off the water and opened a water line to remove the pressure. I am unable to seperate the glass bottom from the filter system head. FYI.. there is no button on top of the filter head. Soon I will attempt to remove the filter again by applying much more leverage. QUESTIONS: #1) Is the Aqua Flow company in existence today or under another name? #2) Having shut off the water and opened a faucet to reduce pressure against the filter... is there anything else that I should do before removing the glass that contains the actual filter? #3) Would the absence of filter maintenance eventually result in debri hitting the screens of faucets throughout the home? Any help appreciated. One neighbor attempting to help another. Thank You! JC

[Andy CWS]

I can't find an AquaFlo, Aqua Flow or any other filter company that fits the description you are giving. Does it really have a 'glass' housing? If it hasn't been changed for 10 to 20 years (!) then the filter is holding so much sediment and the filter element is so jeapordized that it is 'supplying' debris to your service water. Like a vacuum cleaner filter that is too dirty; it just blows dust back into the room.

A filter housing that has been on for so long becomes 'welded' to the filter head and becomes very difficult to remove. Leverage may be the only way outside of complete removal.

Without knowing the quality of your water, I can't say that having no filter would create a sediemnt problem. You haven't provide much information about your water. You haven't even said whether it is well or city water.

Andy Christensen, CWS-II

[jctaylor]

Thank You Andy,
Oops! The water is supplied by the city. Other than the debri found in the faucet screens all other aspects of the water quality appears to be good. "Oh!", now that you mentioned it. The material or filter housing or casing is believed to be a thick clear plastic. There is a special wrench near the top of the plastic that is used to lossen the casing. Your response if very helpful.

[Andy CWS]

Most filters have a special wrench to remove housings. Try fitting the wrench on, holding the pipe to the left of the filter and gently but firmly impacting the wrench handle in with short, hard blows with the heel of your hand.

Never over tighten it when you get it back off, though. Tighten by hand. Make sure the threads and o-ring is clear of any dirt, cracks etc. Don't use any petroleum products for lubrication; use a silicone gel.

Hope this helped a little.
Andy