The Black Berkey Filters’ lifespan is increased, and its flow rate is increased by routine cleaning. The sustainability of Berkey water filtration systems is just one of their many advantages. The system’s filters are not disposable, single-use items. Compared to conventional filter systems, these filters have a much longer lifespan and can be cleaned. Berkey filters can be cleaned and used repeatedly as an alternative to being thrown away.
For optimal performance, include filter, chamber, and spigot cleaning in your regular system maintenance. There isn’t a way to clean the fluoride filters right now.
What distinguishes the Black Berkey Elements from our rivals is their capacity for cleaning. When the output slows down and the flow rate drops to the point where it is no longer sufficient for your needs, it is time to clean the water filter. The amount of impurities you are eliminating will determine this point. We recommend cleaning in the field once a week, or even daily in the worst of circumstances, and every six months for residential use.
Since Berkey’s doesn’t utilize throwaway filters, our filter elements must hold up even after numerous thorough cleanings. Our filter elements can be cleaned up to 100 times as part of a standard maintenance schedule before a replacement needs to be bought.
When Should You Clean Your Berkey Filter, And How Often?
We advise cleaning the chambers once a month and scrubbing the black filters every three to six months. Because of the Black Berkey Element’s distinct composition, tiny particles get trapped on the filter’s outermost surface due to the pore structure’s tiny size. Like other filters, this one will eventually see a drop in flow rate. Anytime you observe a decrease in flow, that’s another sign that the Berkey filters need to be cleaned. Use determines how frequently this occurs.
Cleaning Instructions:
- Drain your Berkey system completely of any water.
- Take off the top container and place it on top of something sturdy, like a countertop or table.
- If fluoride filters are installed, remove them. Next, take out the Black Berkey element by unscrewing the wing nut that holds it to the container.
- With the exit hole pointing upward, hold the filter beneath the flowing faucet.
- Spend several minutes gently cleaning the filter element’s black surface with a new 3M Scotch Brite pad. Never clean filters with soap or detergent.
- After washing your hands, set aside the components.
- Reinstall the system’s filters.
Why Is It Important To Clean Berkey Filters?
Compared to the average water filter, a pair of two Black Berkey elements will typically last three years, or 6,000 gallons. However, throughout this period, you might observe that it takes the elements an increasing amount of time to filter your water.
This indicates that the sediment buildup in the filters is getting too great for them to function well, so you should wash the sediment away to increase their effectiveness. It’s crucial to maintain the optimal performance of your Black Berkey filtration components if the levels of pollutants in your water are exceptionally high.
How Can I Tell Whether My Berkey Water Filter Needs To Be Cleaned?
The rate at which water filters out of the two chambers have completely slowed down is the clearest indication that your Black Berkey filters need to be cleaned.
A set of four Black Berkey filters can filter two gallons of water per hour, but a pair of two fresh Berkey filters should filter one gallon of water per hour. If the flow rate of the filters isn’t as high as it used to be and they haven’t yet reached the end of their useful life, the issue is probably due to sediment and turbidity clogging the micropores in the filters.
If you want to find out how effectively your filter system is performing and whether maintenance is required, you can attempt the dye test. Berkey devices have the ability to completely eliminate dye from tainted water.
Try the dye test by filling the upper chamber with some red food coloring. If the unit produces pink or reddish-tinged water when this dye is filtered, or if it takes a long time to get results, it may indicate that your filter elements need to be maintained, or that you should look for replacement elements to get better flow rate and filtering effectiveness.
How Often Do I Need To Clean The Purification Elements In My Black Berkey?
Cleaning the filter elements in Berkey systems should be done “on a consistent basis,” ideally once every six months. Berkey advises cleaning the Black Berkey filters on a regular basis, starting on the day they are used and continuing for at least a year.
A Guide To Cleaning Berkey Filters:
The sink approach and the bucket method are two simple ways to clean the Black Berkey filters. To assist you with both, I’ve listed the directions below.
How To Clean Berkey Filters At Home Using A Sink:
Use these guidelines to clean your Berkey filters inside your house:
1. Take The Water Filter Out Of Berkey:
To begin, drain any remaining water from your Berkey water filter’s upper and bottom chambers.
2. Take The System Apart:
Take out the top chamber and lay your Berkey system on its side to gain access to the filters. Cover the opening with your finger to avoid contamination.
3. Take Out The Filters:
To remove the filtering elements from the Berkey system, unscrew the wing nut that holds them in place.
4. Scrub the Black Berkey filters in your sink, specifically the stem that houses the filter elements and is typically the source of clean water.
5. Scrub With A Scotch Brite Pad:
A little cleaning pad similar to a Scotch Brite pad is the suggested cleaning instrument for the Berkey system. The best 3M is non-scratch. After completely washing, use the pad to scrape the surface of the Berkey elements, being sure to clean every region.
6. Prime The Filter Components Again:
You will need to reprime your clean Berkey filter elements before using them. Rinse them under running water to accomplish this. To find out exactly how to accomplish it, see this page.
7. Hand Wash And Put The Filters Back Together:
Set aside the filters while you wash your hands with warm water and soap. After the cleaned components have had time to dry, reverse the disassembly steps to reassemble the Berkey system’s components. After completing all the steps, the Berkey water filter is now prepared for usage.
Field Cleaning Berkey Filters (Bucket Method)
The bucket method described below can be used to clean the Berkey water filters outdoors:
1. Take The Water System Out Of Berkey:
Start by emptying your Berkey water filter’s two chambers.
2. Take The System Apar:
Using the “sink method,” remove the top container from the system and set it on its side on a firm surface. The Berkey water filter components can then be removed from the housing by unscrewing the wing nut.
3. Pour Clean Water Into A Bucket:
After the components are taken out, get a bucket or other container ready with pure, clean water. To avoid more contamination getting into the core of the Berkey filter elements, it’s crucial that you clean them with pure water. Fill the bucket with sixteen drops of bleach to disinfect your water.
4. Give The Berkey Filter Elements A Thorough Cleaning:
Give the elements a thorough cleaning with a brand-new 3M non-scratch Scotch Brite pad or something similar, washing them periodically in the bucket of water. After a few more minutes of cleaning, place the filters aside on a spotless surface.
5. Change Out The Filtered Water:
Remove the pure water from the bucket or container and put fresh clean water in its place. If you don’t have purified water on hand, don’t forget to add 16 drops of bleach to the bucket. Let the Berkey water filter components sit in this fresh water for a few minutes.
6. Prime The Filter Components Again:
Before reattaching the filter elements to your Berkey filtered water system, it’s a good idea to reprime them after cleaning by giving them a rinse under water that has been treated with bleach, as explained in the “sink method.”
7. Put The System Back Together:
The last step is to place the cleaned objects on a spotless area to dry while you give yourself a warm, soapy bath. The components of your Berkey water filter can now be put back together for usage right away.
FAQs:
In What Other Way Can I Keep Up My Berkey Water Filter?
In addition to cleaning the carbon filters in your Berkey family filtration unit, there are other maintenance actions you can do to help prolong the life of your unit, whether you have the 3.25-gallon Royal Berkey, the Travel Berkey, the Big Berkey, the Berkey Light, or any other model.
Do The Berkey Fluoride Filters Need To Be Cleaned In The Same Way?
Additional accessories that can be purchased in addition to the Black Berkey elements are the Berkey fluoride filters. These fluoride accessories don’t quite have the remarkable lifespan of the Black Berkey elements; they only last for a year or 1,000 gallons of water, whichever comes first. Despite this, many people still find them to be useful filters because most of us often consume fluoridated water.
There’s not much to consider when it comes to cleaning or maintaining these filters, except for purchasing replacements. All I would ask is that you maintain an eye out for filter replacements and stick to a regular schedule determined by your filtration requirements. Safe fluoride levels in your water are simple to maintain; just follow the manufacturer’s instructions if you don’t want your family to have to drink this toxin.
Is There Clogging In Berkey Water Filters?
Lastly, even though Berkey water systems can remove impurities from even the dirtiest source of drinking water, experts advise using the purest drinking water possible in your home unit to prevent blockage.
What Does The Filter’s White Residue Represent?
Ionized minerals are probably the cause of any white residue you see on your black filters. This white substance can occasionally be seen in hard or highly mineralized water. Berkeys don’t remove minerals. The accumulation of these minerals may result in a white residue. Usually, using a damp sponge to wipe it off fixes this aesthetic issue.
The acidity of the water drops and its capacity to hold more minerals in solution diminishes as the pH level of the water rises. As a result, the minerals start to precipitate over time and either float to the top or sink to the bottom, depending on the mineral makeup.
These precipitated minerals are commonly referred to as “white floaters,” and this process is called flocculation. It is safe to handle the white residue or floaters. These are minerals that were already present in your water; their suspension in an ionic form made them invisible until now, when they are merely visible.
Conclusion:
Cleaning the chambers once a month and scrubbing the black filters every three to six months is suggested. Because of the Black Berkey Element’s distinct composition, tiny particles get trapped on the filter’s outermost surface due to the pore structure’s tiny size. Like other filters, this one will eventually see a drop in flow rate. Anytime you observe a decrease in flow, that’s another sign that the Berkey filters need to be cleaned. Use determines how frequently this occurs.
