What Is The Black Stuff In My Water Filter?
Everyone needs clean drinking water, as it is an essential component of human life. Therefore, individuals install water filtration systems at the point of entry, which requires regular filter replacement to guarantee a constant supply of clean, pure water. But sometimes there are black stuff in the water coming out from the filter. What is this black stuff in the water?
You are not alone if the water coming out of your filter contains black particles. If you’ve ever used a black filter, you know the water doesn’t taste good and makes you worry if it’s terrible for you. The cause of black water is carbon particles from the filter, which makes the water black. Also, this happens as a result of improper pre-soaking and flushing.
In the article, What Is The Black Stuff In My Water Filter?, we will discuss the black stuff and how you can take care of it.
Key Takeaways
- Clean the filter using a brush and warm water with one or two teaspoons of bleach to remove the paper layer from both sides. Filter the water and then submerge it in bleach to disinfect it. Get some clean water and give it a good rinsing.
- Replace it every six months to a year to help it live longer.
- If the water filter is clogged and you can’t clear it, don’t use it. The water quality can get worse if your filter is clogged, so getting a new one as soon as possible is essential.
- Never use a water filter that is dirty or clogged. Doing so can hurt the quality of your water.
- If you want to clean your water filter with bleach, make sure to use bleach made for cleaning homes. Don’t use industrial bleach because it can hurt you.
- Be sure to use distilled white vinegar when you use vinegar to clean your water filter. Some kinds of vinegar, like apple cider vinegar, might not work either.
Why are black specks present in water?
Suppose you think about why there are black specks in the water. These are some probable causes of why we see black specks in water. Such as:
- Corrosion
- Broken parts
- Old filters
- Silt
Corrosion of pipes
Corrosion of old metal pipes could be the cause of the specks. A piece of rust or metal could break off inside the pipe and make its way to your faucet. It is more common after inactivity for your pipes and solely affects cold water faucets. Examine them quickly in either case to avoid serious leaks.
Broken parts
Damage to a rubber gasket or supply hose in your plumbing system is the cause. If you don’t find the damage soon enough, it will cause severe damage, costing you a lot more money than you think. So it is better to get a plumber to look at the system immediately so the issue can be located and fixed.
Old water filters
Granular activated carbon (GAC) is a common component in domestic water filtration systems . Carbon is the key component in GAC filters, which purify water. They decompose and release little carbon into the water as they age. To eliminate this hassle, have your filter changed regularly. Filters in small systems that use taps can be swapped out quickly and easily without calling a technician. On the other hand, an expert can easily handle the filtration equipment if you have a huge system and no experience dealing with it.
Silt
It is a problem that can happen if your water comes from a well. If the well is relatively new, you could notice some silt. However, if it keeps happening, one of our plumbers can look at it to see if your well needs more filtering.
See Also: Is Carbon Dust From Water Filters Harmful?
How can I stop black particles from entering my filter?
The best way to keep black particles from getting into your filtered water is to flush the water filter before using it.
To clean a filter, you only submerge it in water for 5-15 minutes or run it under cold water. By doing so, the filter media is given a helping hand in letting the activated carbon particles escape and be flushed away. No loose carbon should be left in the filter once you install it.
After thoroughly flushing and soaking, the water is safe for non-drinking uses.
Is It safe to drink carbon dust from water filters?
It is safe to drink carbon dust from filters. But there are no studies to back this up, and it’s unlikely that a small amount of carbon in filtered water would cause any real problems. Therefore, it is not harmful to drink the carbon that is produced by water filters.
You could only get sick from carbon filtration if you didn’t change the filter when you should have. Bacteria and mold can grow on old filters, making you sick.
See Also: Why Are Refrigerator Water Filters So Expensive?
What are some benefits of using a water filter with black material?
Some people think drinking activated charcoal is good for your health because it cleans your blood, whitens your teeth, and reduces gas and bloating. Even though no scientific research has proven or supported these claims, many people regularly use activated charcoal products.
The amount of activated charcoal in these “health” products is much higher than what you probably get from your filtered water.
But there is a minimal chance that activated carbon in your stomach could absorb something important, like prescription drugs or water-soluble vitamins like vitamin C. There are no studies to back this up, and it’s unlikely that a small amount of carbon in filtered water would cause any real problems.
Other minerals that make water black
Apart from carbon, minerals in tap water such as manganese and iron may appear as tiny black particles or give the water a blackish color.
Usually, these minerals look black because their oxide forms interact with oxygen. Most people think of iron oxide as rust, which looks red or orange in water. However, iron oxide can also look black.
Before being filtered, tap water that appears black likely contains harmless manganese or iron. Although these minerals pose no health risks to humans, they make the water appear and taste unpleasant.
FAQs
Why Is there black stuff in my water filter?
The excess charcoal dust in the filter is the cause of these tiny black particles. The dust may settle at the bowl’s bottom even if you can safely drink the water. Therefore, it’s best to wash each filter under cold water for about a minute to get rid of any excess charcoal dust before putting it in the filter.
What are the black particles in my Brita filter?
If you have a Brita water filter, the black particles you see in the water are just chunks of carbon. All Brita filters use a special kind of carbon called activated carbon. Activated carbon is usually made by exposing carbon to very high temperatures and pure gas, such as argon or nitrogen.
How long do you soak the water filter?
Before using a water filter for the first time, a brief soak in water for 10 to 15 minutes gives you the best result. Once you’ve soaked the water filter, run it under cold water a few times to eliminate any leftover particles, including carbon dust. It’s vital to follow the filter’s specified soak period because if you leave your water filter soaking for more than 15 minutes, it won’t be damaged, but it will absorb impurities.
Can vinegar clean water filters?
To prepare the mixture:
•Combine one teaspoon of white vinegar in a bowl with one cup of warm water.
•Let the filter soak for an hour in the solution.
•After soaking, dry the filter by squeezing it and then either allowing it to air dry or placing it upside down on a dish towel to dry.
Can you rinse a water filter?
When you’re done soaking, give your filter a thorough rinsing with clean water to eliminate any lingering bleach. Another alternative to bleach is soaking the filter in vinegar for a few hours and then cleaning it thoroughly with clean water.
Why Is there black stuff in my water filter?
What are the black particles in my Brita filter?
How long do you soak the water filter?
Can vinegar clean water filters?
Combine one teaspoon of white vinegar in a bowl with one cup of warm water.
Let the filter soak for an hour in the solution.
After soaking, dry the filter by squeezing it and then either allowing it to air dry or placing it upside down on a dish towel to dry.
Can you rinse a water filter?
Final Thoughts
Having black stuff in the water is a common problem you can fix using the right filter. What Is The Black Stuff In My Water Filter? Here, we have discussed details about how to fix the problems. If your water has black sediment, call a plumber to find out what’s wrong and fix the problem.
