If a filter has not been looked after for a while, iron or a smell shows up again in the filtered water, or the pressure drops. We service iron removal filters, water softeners, UV and osmosis units in Riga and the Riga region, including ones someone else installed. In your request, say which filters the house has and when they were last serviced.
What to service and how often
The intervals in the table are a guide. The exact intervals depend on the water test, the consumption and the equipment manufacturer's manual.
| Equipment | What needs doing | How often (guide) |
|---|---|---|
| Sediment cartridge filter | Cartridge replacement | Every 1–6 months or when the pressure drops |
| Flushable screen filter | Flushing the screen | Once a month, more often if the water carries sand |
| Water softener | Topping up salt, cleaning the brine tank | Salt check once a month, tank cleaning once a year |
| Iron removal filter | Checking the backwash and the valve, replacing the media | Check once a year, media after several years |
| Filter with regenerable media | Topping up the reagent | On the manufacturer's schedule |
| Activated carbon filter | Replacing the carbon or the cartridge | When the smell or taste returns |
| UV unit | Lamp replacement, cleaning the quartz sleeve | Lamp usually once a year |
| Reverse osmosis | Replacing the pre-filters and the membrane | Pre-filters every 6–12 months, membrane less often |
Signs that a filter needs servicing
- The water after the filter turns yellowish again or brown stains appear on the fixtures: the iron removal filter is not backwashing properly or the media is worn out.
- The salt level in the water softener's tank does not go down: the salt has caked into a hard layer (a salt bridge) or the valve is not regenerating.
- The pressure at the taps drops, especially when several are used at once: a clogged cartridge or media.
- The smell comes back: the carbon filter is saturated or the aeration compressor is not working.
- The valve display shows the wrong time after a power cut: the backwash may run at a time of day when you are using water.
- The UV unit gives an alarm or the lamp indicator is off.
Filter backwash settings
On factory settings an iron removal filter and a water softener often backwash too rarely or too often. Too rarely means the media clogs and iron breaks through. Too often means wasted water and salt. We set the frequency by the iron or hardness value in the test and by your daily consumption.
- For an iron removal filter: the number of days between backwashes and the length of the backwash stages.
- For a water softener: the water hardness and the reserve after which the valve regenerates, or the number of days on older valves.
- For both: a time at night when no water is used, because untreated water runs in the house during the backwash.
- If the number of people in the house or the water test changes, the settings need reviewing.
Filter media replacement
In iron removal and softening columns the media wears out over time: it breaks down, gets clogged with deposits or loses its ability to work. If the water is not what it was after installation even with correct backwash and settings, the media is replaced.
- Disconnecting We switch the filter to bypass so the house has water, and release the pressure.
- Removing We take off the valve, remove the old media and rinse the column.
- Filling We add a gravel layer and the new media, and check the valve seals and the distributor tube.
- Setting up We rinse the new media, check the backwash and change the settings if needed.
If the filter is old and the valve is damaged, it is sometimes better value to replace the whole unit. We tell you before the work, and we start choosing a new unit from a water treatment layout based on the test.
What you can do yourself
- Top up the water softener salt: only tablet salt for water softeners, not table salt.
- Replace the sediment cartridge: close the valve, release the pressure, and check the seal after replacing it.
- Check the time on the valve display after a power cut.
- Write down the service dates so you know when the next one is due.
Send us a request if the media needs replacing, the valve needs setting or you need to find out why the filter has stopped working. If it is not clear whether the filter is still doing its job, a test after the filter will show it: water testing.
What water filter maintenance costs
The service price depends on the number and type of units, whether the media needs replacing (how much and what type), consumables (cartridges, UV lamp, salt) and access to the equipment. We name the price once you have described in the form which units the house has. New equipment installation: prices.
On specific units: iron removal for a private house, water softener installation and UV water disinfection.