The water that flows in our apartments from taps can be of dubious quality. It contains many elements that may not be the best way to affect human health. That is why installing a rough water filter is a very useful condition these days. These devices reliably protect the water supply from solid elements in the water, so sometimes they themselves need to be cleaned.
Coarse Filter Device
The vast majority of coarse filters are similar in design. The filter pipe has a mesh that blocks large debris, sand, and pieces of rust. Such a water purifier should be placed on each incoming pipe at the beginning of the wiring.
Each filter has a special tap. Thanks to this, the system does not become clogged with debris. Such branches are called mud collectors. To prolong the filter’s life, sumps must be cleaned regularly.
Outwardly, the filter resembles a tee. The difference is that the outlet of this device is deaf and tight, it is closed with a threaded cover. A cylinder-shaped mesh is attached inside. The central line of the grid have a common axis with a branch in the housing.
So that the debris collected inside the purifier does not interfere with the movement of water for as long as possible, the housing should be oriented so that the mesh is vertically or at an angle, but does not lie flat. At the same time, the entrance to the grid itself should be higher - due to this, garbage accumulates on its other side.
To clean the filter, you need to unscrew the plug and remove the washing net, and then return it to its place. Also on the market are devices that can be cleaned without disassembling. In this case, the cap is replaced by a pipe, and a hose is connected to it and lowered into the sewer. On the inside of the mesh compartment, water is pumped and drains directly into the sewage drain, and with it all the dirt.
Where is the filter installed and why is it needed
It was already mentioned above that the filter must necessarily stand at the entrance to the housing after the valve, but in front of the water meter. Its functions are very useful:
- delays large garbage;
- prevents waste from spoiling the impeller of the meter and clogging its protective walls;
- protects faucet valves.
It is worth noting that the coarse filter does not prevent the penetration of fine sand or silt, but it will not miss the scale, large fragments and rusty deposits. And these harmful elements on the walls of water pipes are always enough.
When installing a meter on water, many owners immediately install a filter. So they can be sealed at the same time, which will avoid cheating the counter. For this, special filters are used, the plug of which has an eye. A seal wire is threaded through it, tearing which will be strictly forbidden personally - a master's call will be required.
How are filters cleaned?
Today, mechanical coarse water filters are mainly used. Their varieties will be discussed further.
Devices are divided into:
- mesh (angular, straight, direct-flow);
- cartridge.
All strainers have a similar device and are cleaned the same. Inside such devices, there is a filter net that catches large particles of debris from the water. The device is cleaned through a dirt collector.
Strainer cleaning
The advantage of this type of cleaner is that it is transparent. Therefore, the owner can easily track the level of pollution.If the filter has to interact with a hot liquid, it is made of heat-resistant metal.
- Before you start cleaning the strainer, you must turn off the water and make sure that it does not leak.
- Using a wrench, unscrew the tap on the sump. The key should go to 19 or 22, if not, use a pipe wrench.
- There is a gasket in the mud cover. She needs to check her condition, maybe she will need a replacement.
- Next, pull out the main part of the device - a metal grid. Even if it is partially contaminated, the pressure of the water can be significantly worse.
- We wash the mesh under good water pressure, and clean the clogged holes with an old toothbrush. Experts advise using a brush with a short soft metal pile to remove silt deposits. The sump also do not forget to carefully clean.
- In the reverse order, we collect the filter in the working position. First, insert the mesh into the sump, put the gasket, insert the device into the outlet and tighten the cover. After turning on the water, check that there are no drops on the filter.
Above is a cleaning scheme for non-washed strainers. However, there are also self-cleaning. Such filters have an automated system that, without human intervention, removes contaminants after the signal, which is applied as the mesh becomes contaminated.
Cartridge Filter Cleaning
The main working element is a replaceable cartridge, which must be periodically cleaned of debris. Often the cartridge is installed in a plastic or metal case. It is capable of retaining debris that has sizes from 0.5 to 30 microns.
The system is installed in places where strainers cannot cope with pollution. Cartridge filters trap finer debris than strainers.
To clean it from accumulated dirt, you need to do the following:
- we block water;
- we substitute a certain container under the filter, since dirty liquid can pour out of it;
- unscrew the clamp nut with a special key;
- we wash the old cartridge under high pressure of water or replace it with a new one if necessary;
- put the flask back and tighten all the nuts, and then tighten them with a wrench.
Winding cartridges are suitable for reusable use. To clean such a part, you will need a very powerful stream of water. The filter is placed vertically on the bottom of the bath, the hose is directed to the center of the cartridge. The pressure of the water washes out all the excess from the device.
Preventive measures against clogging
During use, any filter collects dirt and debris. However, you can take some steps so that you have to complete the cleaning as rarely as possible. Accordingly, the cleaning element will last much longer. Here are some suggestions:
- The cartridge filter, as mentioned above, can only be cleaned provided that it is wound. In other cases, cleaning is not required - you just need to change the cartridge.
- The frequency of cleaning the coarse water filters depends on how intensively you use the water supply, as well as on the quality of the water supplied to the pipes. For reference, use the gauges before and after the filter.
- The frequency of cleaning the coarse water filters depends on the intensity of the use of the water supply and the amount of impurities in the stream. As a guide, the pressure gauges before and after the filter or the weakening of the pressure from the tap can serve.
- It is advisable to repeat the cleaning procedure once every three months for the purpose of prevention. This will avoid damage to the filter and ensure its best functioning, which, in turn, will lead to improved water quality in the apartment.
