Fixing A Whole House Water Filter Leaking From The Top

Are you frustrated that you have a whole house water filter that is leaking from the top? If so, you understand this can create a number of issues. This could drive up your water bill, and it might lead to a significant amount of flood damage. Therefore, you need to figure out why this is happening and put a stop to it as quickly as possible.

There are a number of reasons why your whole house water filter could be leaking. This could be due to regular wear and tear, there could be a crack in one of the fittings, or there could be a faulty o-ring. Fortunately, you should be able to fix most leakage issues by replacing a few components of your whole house water filter. 

Is this something you would like to fix yourself? If so, we have done a lot of research to figure out how to do this. Take a look at some of the helpful information below, and see if you can figure out why your whole house water filter is leaking. Then, put a stop to it using our simple steps.

So, are you ready to get to work? If so, let’s see if we can fix this problem. 

Materials Needed To Fix Your Whole House Water Filter

If you would like to fix your whole house water filter, there are several materials you need to gather. These include:

• You need to make sure you have access to your whole house water filter.
• You need to have your manual with you to figure out where the individual parts of your whole house water filter are located.
• You should have a flashlight in case you have trouble seeing inside your whole house water filter.
• You should also have a screwdriver with you in case you need to disassemble your whole house water filter.
• You might also need a housing wrench to help you with this problem.
• You may want to have a cleaning solution and a soft cloth in case you need to clean parts of your water filter.

After you have collected all of these materials, it is time to move to your water filter to figure out how to fix it. 

7 Steps To Fix Your Whole House Water Filter

Are you ready to fix your whole house water filter? If so, there are a few steps you need to follow. These include:

Step 1: Turn Off the Water

Before you even think about working on your whole house water supply, you need to turn off the water supply. There should be a valve located approximately five feet from where the water enters your house.

There should be a bypass valve that will allow you to shut down the water flowing to the water filter without completely disconnecting the water supply to your house. This is a better option if you have it.

After you have turned off the water supply, you need to remove the water that is currently in the water filter. You may want to open several faucets throughout the house. Then, wait for all the water to flow out. You need to remove all water and air from the plumbing system. Therefore, you should try to open faucets on the ground floor instead of the top floor. 

Finally, you need to depressurize the housing. You may need to use your manual to figure out where the button is located. You may want to keep a small tub underneath the water filter in case water continues to come out of it. 

Step 2: Take Off the Filter Housing

After you have drained the water out of the whole house water filter, you need to remove the filter housing. You should take a look at the manual to figure out how to do this. There is a chance you will need both your wrench and your screwdriver to remove the filter housing.

You may also need a flashlight to see the individual parts of your water filter, depending on where in the house you are located. You need to take your time when you are removing the filter housing. You do not want to strip any screws or bolts, as you will eventually have to put the system back together. 

Step 3: Clean the Water Filter Housing Thoroughly

After you have completely removed the filter housing, you need to clean it. This could be the reason why your whole house water filter is leaking. Fortunately, you do not need a lot to clean your water filter housing.

You need to have mild soap, some warm water, and a soft brush. Try not to use anything that is going to scratch the filter housing. After you have completely cleaned the system, you need to allow it to air-dry for a few minutes. Then, take a look at the filter housing and make sure you have removed all of the blemishes. It may take a few tries to completely clean the water filter housing if you have never done this before. 

Step 4: Inspect and Replace the O-Ring

Next, you should take a closer look at the O-ring. As the name suggests, it should be in the shape of a circle. If you are unsure of exactly where the O-ring is located, you may want to use the manual to help you.

You should take a look at the O-ring and make sure it is in good working condition. You may even want to remove the O-ring and run it through your fingers. Put some mild detergent on your fingers, run the O-ring through your fingers, and make sure you clean it thoroughly. You are looking for any signs of cracks, tears, or tension issues that could indicate the O-ring is no longer working as it should.

Whether you decide to go with the current o-ring or replace it with a new one, you need to make sure you lubricate it properly. You should use some food-safe silicone grease to do exactly that. Then, make sure the O-ring is situated properly in the channel. That way, you know it will work as it should. 

Step 5: Replace the Cartridge for the Water Filter

There is also a chance that the whole house water filter is leaking because there’s something wrong with the filter. You need to remove the old filter cartridge and replace it with a new one. Make sure it sits properly in the channel. That way, it will work appropriately. 

If the filter is tilted or off-center in any way, it will damage the entire system. Take a look at the manual and make sure you have the right replacement filter. Then, take your time when you install it.

Step 6: Put the Filter Housing Back On

Now, it is time to put the filter housing back into place. Before you install the filter housing, take a look at the filter one more time and make sure it is in the right spot. Then, make sure the O-ring is in the right location as well. After this, your filter housing should be dry.

Grab the filter housing and put it back in the right location. Then, use your wrench and screwdriver to screw the filter housing back into place. Make sure the entire system is tight. If the system is loose, you may end up with another leak. 

Step 7: Check the Whole House Filter for Leaks

Now, it is time to repressurize the water system. Do not release the water at full force, as you could inadvertently push out the housing, leading to a major flood in your house. Therefore, you need to ask someone else to open the valve slightly while you stay near the filter.

After this, you need to take a look at the system to make sure there are no leaks. If you see any drops coming out of the system, you need to turn off the water again. If you do not see any leaks, you can open the valve halfway and repeat the process. Again, make sure you do not see any leaks coming from the system. 

Finally, you can repressurize the system back up to full if you do not see any leaks. You should go throughout the house and turn on the faucets again to clear the air out of the line. Take a look at the filter system one more time and make sure you do not see any more leaks coming from the whole house water filter.

If you have gone through all of these steps and you still see leaks coming from the system, you may want to reach out to a plumber who can help you. That way, you can properly diagnose and fix the issue without causing water damage to your home. 

Fix Your Whole House Water Filter

It can be frustrating if you see a leak coming from your whole house water filter. Even though you may not know exactly why this is happening, there are several steps you can follow to troubleshoot the system. Perhaps there is a problem with the housing, maybe the rubber o-ring is having issues, or perhaps you need to replace the filter cartridge.

You need to make sure you shut off the water supply to the whole house water filter before you start working on it. You should also depressurize the system and remove any water from the system itself.

After this, you need to remove the housing, clean the housing thoroughly, replace the water filter, and take a look at the O-ring. Finally, always make sure this system is not leaking before you turn the water pressure all the way back up to the highest setting. 

If you ever feel uncomfortable working on your whole house water filter, you should reach out to a professional plumber who can help you. That way, you can get the issue corrected without having to worry about damaging the water filter or your house.