A ceramic water filter is usually slow because of a build-up of sediment or contaminant residue. Ceramic filters clean contaminated water through a network of small pores, these pores are less than half a micron in size. The pores can get clogged as a result of a build-up of trapped particles on the filter’s surface.
Ceramic water filters pores are as tiny as 0.2 microns (for context an ant is around 25,000 microns or 1 inch). These tiny pores can get rid of minute sediment particles, metal particles, algae, and even bacteria.
This article will explain how a ceramic filter can be blocked, slowing its water flow. We provide clear, step-by-step instructions on how and when to clean a ceramic filter, so that your filter’s water flow can get back up to speed quickly.
Ceramic Filtration
The countless small pores on the ceramic cartridge’s covering allow water to flow through the filter, acting as a sort of sieve.
These pores are often less than half a micron in size. They are very effective in capturing particles while allowing water to pass through.
To further collect any particles that may have passed through the outer surface, the inside of the filter is a complex labyrinth that can trap particles that escape the initial filtration.
With these filtration layers, the ceramic filter can achieve very fine water filtration. The complexity of the filter and the tiny pore size helps eliminate a variety of pollutants. In fact, many people are often surprised to find out just how effective a ceramic water filter can be at removing contaminants.
Bacteria
Most bacteria and other microorganisms are larger than one micron in size. This means they aren’t small enough to pass through the pores of ceramic water filters. Water passes through, leaving bacteria behind.
Bacterial cysts which are usually a bit tougher to get rid of, are also removed by ceramic filters because they are also too big to pass through the filter pores.
However, these filters are ineffective against viruses because viruses are much smaller than bacteria. Small enough to pass through the filtration pores along with the water.
Sediments
Sediments are relatively large particles in water. They include rust, dust, organic debris, etc. These particles are easily removed by ceramic water filters.
However, these contaminants are the most likely to cause damage to your ceramic filter. Ideally, there wont be large quantities of sediment in your water.
Suspended particles
Suspended particles are usually smaller and less dense than sediments. These particles usually float in water, giving it an unappealing milky or brownish appearance.
The pores in ceramic filters are small enough to get rid of these particles, and improve how your water looks and smells, as well as tastes.
The Reason Why Your Ceramic Water Filter Is Slow
Ceramic filters remove several water contaminants ranging from bacteria, algae, and turbidity to sediments.
The main cause of blocked ceramic filters is sediment buildup. Sediment is ‘particulate matter’ like dirt, debris, and rust. These particles build up around the pores of the ceramic filter and reduce the flow rate of water.
Your ceramic water filter is more prone to getting blocked if your water has a high level of sediment in it.
If you live in an area where the water you get has a high sediment level, you may want to install a sediment filter in addition to your ceramic filter.
Your sediment filter will help remove larger particles from the water before it passes through your ceramic filter.
As a result, it reduces the chance of your ceramic filter’s pores getting blocked.
Another thing to consider, is whether your water is hard or not. Hard water has high levels of calcium and magnesium in it. These minerals can deposit or build-up on your filter cartridge. In fact, if you have hard water you will notice a white mineral deposit on every surface or fitting that is regularly wet, including sinks and taps.
Fortunately, if your filter is slow because of blockage or build-up, there is an easy, cost-effective solution. You probably do not need to buy a new one. All you need to do is give your filter a proper cleaning, and we mean proper cleaning. Because the pores are so small it is easy to miss some sediment if you are not cleaning it the right way.
How to Clean a Ceramic Filter
The good thing about ceramic filters is that you can wash and reinstall them. If your ceramic filter is blocked, all you need to do is to open up the pores by giving your filter a good wash.
Here is a detailed explanation of how to clean your ceramic filter.
Things You Need
- Clean Hands
Thoroughly wash your hands before attempting to clean your water filter. Having clean hands reduces the chance of bacteria and other particles on your skin contaminating the filter.
You should also avoid touching the ceramic as much as possible. It is better to hold the plastic handles or the thread at the bottom of the filter.
- Clean Running Water
Running water is always the best option for cleaning your filter. This is because as you scrub off the dirt, the running water washes it away. So dislodged dirt doesn’t have the chance to settle again and reclog the pores.
- A Soft Scouring Pad
Scrubbing the surface of your ceramic filter is very delicate work. You will need something strong enough to get rid of the dirt yet gentle enough not to damage the filter.
A soft scouring pad is a great option. Ensure it is clean, preferably a new one, so that dirt and other particles aren’t introduced into the filter during cleaning. A new, soft toothbrush is also a good option.
Avoid using materials like steel wool or hard toothbrushes as these can damage the ceramic filter.
- A thick towel
You can place a thick towel beneath the ceramic filter as you wash it. The towel acts as a cushion to provide a soft landing in case the filter falls while you’re cleaning it.
This helps prevent damage to your delicate ceramic filter.
- Filter housing wrench
Depending on the style of the filter housing your filter comes in, a wrench can make loosening the connections much easier.
Steps in Cleaning your Ceramic Filter
Step 1: Ready your tools
Have your spanner, towel, scouring pad, and clean water ready. Clean your hands thoroughly too.
Step 2: Remove your ceramic filter from its housing
Cannister-type filter housings can be unscrewed by hand or using a filter housing wrench.
Some systems may require you to simply unscrew and detach the ceramic filter candle.
If your filter is connected to running water, shut off the water supply before attempting to remove the filter. Turn on the tap so that any built-up water pressure in the filter system can be let out.
As much as possible, avoid touching the ceramic surface of the filter. Instead, hold the filter by the plastic cap or the thread to reduce the chance of contamination.
Step 3: Prepare the sink
The best place to wash your filter is over a sink.
Before you begin washing the filter itself, make sure the sink has been properly cleaned. Then, spread a thick towel in the sink, below the ceramic filter to serve as a cushion in case the filter slips and falls while you wash it.
Step 4: Scrubbing
Gently, use a soft, flexible scouring pad to scrub the filter. Depending on the extent of sediment buildup, you may need to apply more force to unclog the filter.
As you scrub the filter up and down along its length, gently rotate it to ensure you have covered every area.
If any areas are difficult to reach, you can use a soft toothbrush to clean such areas.
After scrubbing, rinse the filter thoroughly under running water.
Step 5: Reinstall the filter
After thoroughly rinsing, insert it back into the filter housing and ensure it is properly and firmly installed into the housing.
Once you’ve reinstalled it, test the filter to check if it works well. You should notice an improvement in the flow rate immediately.
Before you clean your ceramic filter, read the manufacturer’s instructions carefully and thoroughly.
Some ceramic filters may contain specific instructions for cleaning. For instance, those that contain activated carbon as part of their filtration mechanism.
Activated carbon cannot be washed like the rest of the ceramic filter can. In such cases, the manufacturers may have specific recommendations for cleaning.
Related Questions
When to Use a Ceramic Filter?
Ceramic water filters are simple to maintain, not expensive, and are very effective at filtration. So, they have a wide variety of applications.
These filters are great as under-sink filters and countertop filters. They can be taken on camping trips and used in RVs. Some ceramic filters can even be inserted into standard 10” filter housings of other filters, such as sediment filters, to provide an extra layer of filtration.
How Often Should You Clean A Ceramic Filter?
After repeatedly washing a ceramic filter, the outer ceramic layer eventually begins to wear down and will soon become too fragile to function properly.
However, you can clean your ceramic filter multiple times before it deteriorates. How often you clean your filter depends on the amount of work it does daily and the amount of sediment in the water it filters.
On average, you should try to clean your filter about once a month.
If your water has a high sediment level, you may need to clean it more often than that or whenever you notice a drop in flow rate.
What is the Flow Rate of a Ceramic Filter?
Because of its extremely small pore size, the flow rate of ceramic filters tends to be low.
Gravity-fed ceramic filters may have a flow rate as low as 1 liter per hour. Because of the small pore size, a lot of pressure is required to push the water through and increase the flow rate.
Ceramic filters attached to mains will be faster because of mains pressure. However, they may still be slow compared to other filters.
Also read about the pros and cons of ceramic water filters here.
