Not only health, but also the uninterrupted operation of household appliances, plumbing fixtures, fittings and even water pipes depend on the quality and purity of the water entering our home. Installing cleaning devices saves the situation, but constantly changing cartridges costs a lot of money. A washing filter solves this problem painlessly, and in some cases the device does not even need to be disassembled and washed.
Principle of operation
The design includes a housing, a cartridge, and a faucet for flushing. The lid has two holes for connecting to the water supply system.
Inside the case there is a removable metal filter mesh with small holes. For rinsing, a tap is installed at the bottom of the bowl. Some models are equipped with a pressure gauge to monitor the degree of contamination and the need for cleaning.
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The principle of operation of wash filters is easiest to explain by contradiction. Conventional mesh filters are also essentially washable, but the mesh inside the mechanical device sooner or later becomes clogged and ceases to fulfill its purpose.
Then it needs to be turned off, removed, cleaned, and replaced. This makes a filter for mechanical water purification inconvenient, since it is often located in a hard-to-reach place, it is difficult to remove, the thread may be damaged when unscrewed, the fastening will no longer be so reliable, which can lead to leaks.
The self-cleaning wash filter has a special tap through which dirt sediment is removed. This is the principle of operation of the washing filter. Water enters the bowl, passes through a stainless steel mesh, large particles of dirt settle on it, and some of the dirt precipitates to the bottom of the housing.
System Features
The design is mainly designed to eliminate the entry of dense and large contaminants into the central supply, such as scale from metal pipes, sand, clay particles, silt deposits, mechanical and colloidal substances. Unlike cartridge ones, they are the most reliable and in demand, since they do not require periodic replacement of blocks or manual cleaning. This ensures a guaranteed supply of drinking liquid to residents during the flushing process, as this allows the supply to continue. The procedure occurs so quickly that it saves time and money during the service period.
Main advantages
Here is a list of advantages that a self-washing filter demonstrates:
- The flushing filter for mechanical cleaning works without replacing cartridges. There are no ongoing costs for consumables.
- The self-cleaning water filter can be cleaned without dismantling or disassembling the housing. You don't have to use a key, constantly remove and put the case back in place.
- The washing procedure is performed less frequently than others.
- You can wash the purifier without turning off the water supply in the apartment.
- Has a long service life.
- It's inexpensive.
- The materials from which it is made are environmentally friendly.
- The device is of high quality, solidly built, faulty parts must be replaced.
What are the types of breakdowns and methods for eliminating them?
The main problem for owners of apartments, houses or cottages are the pipe connections and the shut-off valve. Over time, these elements fail due to constant contact with an aggressive environment. These parts need to be replaced.
The second most common problem is white liquid coming out. This happens when starting a new system or when replacing filter parts due to accumulated air, which will eventually come out on its own.
Fluid may leak due to improperly tightened fittings. In this case, you need to check the connections.
Water flows slowly. The culprits may be a faulty autoswitch or a clogged osmotic membrane. Here it is necessary to replace the elements. The second reason may be that the pipeline is clogged with contaminants. The solution to the problem is to inspect and remove deposits.
If you discover a malfunction, you can make repairs with your own hands. To do this, you will need to carefully study the instructions included with the kit.
Kinds
The self-washing filter has different classifications by type. According to the sizes of captured particles they are:
- coarse cleaning – retains particles ranging in size from 100 to 500 microns;
- fine cleaning - capable of capturing contaminants of 20 - 50 microns.
Depending on the temperature of the supplied water, there are specially designed ones for cold and for hot. The flask for cold water is often made of transparent plastic. For a hot case, the case must be more durable so as not to deform under the influence of temperature. The flasks should not be swapped to avoid a water supply accident.
According to their internal structure, self-cleaning filters for water purification are divided into mesh and disk filters. The mesh filter is the most common type. The reliable design is equipped with a turbine for direct washing of the mesh.
Disc ones have a larger suction surface, which means they have greater productivity and are equipped with a backwash system. However, they are more expensive than mesh ones.
The self-washing filter comes with different methods of cleaning the wash water after the filters:
- They can be washed by hand. This can be done even without removing the device and without shutting off the water supply. But it is still recommended to remove the housing in order to properly rinse the mesh or disk element.
- In semi-automatic devices, it is enough to press a button to start washing.
- Automatic ones work and wash without human intervention. The signal for this is the readings of various sensors, pressure gauges or the installed self-cleaning program. Such complex, expensive systems are designed for industrial facilities, installed at the entrance to the main line in apartment buildings, or used for cleaning in swimming pools.
Locations of water leaks
Leaks can occur along the entire water path. If a double-circuit gas boiler is leaking, the problem may be in the following components:
- heat exchanger;
- pipes;
- expansion tank;
- places of detachable connections.
The level of complexity of the upcoming repair largely depends on the location of the water leak.
The easiest way to eliminate leaks is at detachable connections. It is more difficult to repair a leaking pipeline inside the equipment. The most labor-intensive process is repairing or replacing the heat exchanger.
The double-circuit boiler is equipped with pipes for connecting 4 pipes through which water is transported. If the joints are not properly sealed, a leak of coolant, cold or hot water occurs.
Leaks must be repaired as quickly as possible after they occur. Loss of coolant can lead to automatic shutdown of the boiler.
An attempt to compensate for the loss of coolant by periodically adding a new portion is fraught with accelerated wear of the boiler. Water is saturated with oxygen, which accelerates the corrosion of metal components, which reduces the life of heating equipment.
How to choose a self-cleaning filter
When choosing a mechanical cleaning filter, try to take into account all the details of your water supply system. The following indicators are important:
- pressure in the system;
- A flask will be installed on the hot or cold branch.
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The diameter and material of the pipes must be compatible with the fastening elements of the housing. Or you will have to look for suitable adapters, fittings and other parts for fitting.
It’s better to consult in a store, where the seller will warn you about the nuances of use, installation, or even call service center specialists for help.
You need to buy products from well-known, proven brands, with certificates of conformity.
Hot water comes instead of cold water: finding the cause of the problem
You can localize the problem on your own - to do this, you should probe the pipeline in the area of the shut-off valve that shuts off the liquid supply to the apartment and take into account the following:
AMETHYST - 02 M up to 2 cubic meters/day.
Aeration unit AS-1054 VO-90
Main table dispenser AquaPro 919H/RO (hot and cold water)
- If it is warm before entering the house, it means that the problem did not arise with you - call the housing and communal services employees, let them sort it out.
- When there is no noticeable heating, you should check your plumbing and heaters.
- If everything is in order with the accessories and equipment, you need to contact your neighbors so that they can conduct an inspection at their place.
- When everything is fine with them, you will need to pay close attention to the condition of the main shut-off valves, to see how effectively they hold the flow.
Installation
Installation of self-flushing systems is carried out according to the scheme specified by the manufacturer. It is necessary to adhere to safety rules, take into account technical and sanitary requirements, and the features of the water supply network.
But on any pipeline (vertical or horizontal), the housing is installed so that the bulb faces down. The direction of flow is indicated by an arrow. It must be followed, otherwise the device will not work.
The input and output threads are usually standard. Washing automation will require connection to an electrical network. Any self-cleaning cleaner is installed only in rooms where there is heating.
Hot water flows instead of cold: what to do when the problem is constant
Let's say you've done the inspection and the plumbing is in perfect order, nothing is damaged, the appliances and shut-off devices are installed and working as expected. Then you need to contact the emergency dispatch service.
Unfortunately, in our realities, just a call, even with the most detailed description of the situation, is often not enough. Simply because the employees of the service organization are in no hurry to resolve the issue: yes, in words they will say that they have started to fulfill the request, but in reality they will postpone it, believing that consumers will be patient for another week or two.
Therefore, it is more effective to immediately send a collective letter of complaint signed by the owners of at least several apartments. You'll see, the plumbers will arrive much faster, figure it out and explain why only hot water comes from both (two, three) taps or the mixer; they will begin to carry out the work or tell you what to do if the fault is outside their area of responsibility.
While waiting for specialists, you can independently localize the nature and extent of the problem:
- If a cold water meter is installed, you need to see if it scrolls in the opposite direction. When this is observed, the DHW supply should be shut off. If the reverse motion stops, it means that the compression is happening somewhere in the room.
- When there is no meter, you need to turn your attention to the common highway and feel the bends. When they are heated, this means that everything is to blame for the problem in the apartment, and not the state of communications outside.
Self-cleaning filter with pressure gauge and drain tap
To make it more convenient to monitor the pressure in the system and see in time when the cleaning element becomes clogged, manufacturers began to produce a wash filter with a pressure gauge.
The difference in the initial pressure and the outlet pressure indicates that the device is clogged and needs to be flushed. It’s even better if there are two pressure gauges - in front of the flask and after it. Then it is easier to assess the difference in instrument readings.
Hot water runs out of a cold tap, what to do, how to fix the problem
There are two relevant and fairly simple solutions:
- Install check valves on the outlets of all cold water risers and bathrooms in the house; in a multi-storey building, these actions must be taken by the owners of each apartment, and then you can forget about squeezing.
- Installing new meter models is even more convenient, because they are already equipped with OK and, in addition to preventing pressure differences, will also simplify expense accounting and take care of your household savings.
Each of these options is also good because you can also implement it on your own - you just need to coordinate this issue with the other residents of the entrance.
What is the difference between forward and reverse flushing?
The method of flushing may vary, but the basic principle of a self-flushing filter system remains. To clean, simply turn the tap and drain the water from the flask into a previously placed container or into the sewer, if such an opportunity is provided. This is the principle of operation of the device with direct-flow washing.
The name “backwash” already tells us that water passes through the flask in the opposite direction. It is believed that this way it better washes the mesh cells from dirt.
Leaking through threaded connections?
The boiler heating circuit is closed. The heated coolant flows from the heat exchanger tube into the supply pipe and then into the radiators. The coolant returns through the return pipeline, entering the heat exchanger again and then continuing to circulate in a circle.
The heating circuit pipes are connected to the supply and return pipelines using threaded (detachable) connections using connecting parts - connectors with union nuts, or otherwise American ones.
With the help of American women with union nuts, expansion tanks, shut-off valves and other elements of the heating system are connected to the lines
Threaded connections are sealed with elastic, heat-resistant ring-shaped seals. When they wear out or are installed incorrectly, water leakage occurs. Poorly tightened nuts lead to the same consequences.
If you see water dripping at the threaded connection, you should first try tightening the nut. There is no need for excessive zeal here, since if the nut is tightened too much, it may break. If water leakage continues after tightening the nut, the seal must be replaced.
Turn off the gas and water supplies in advance and drain the water from the heat exchanger. Unscrew the union nut, replace the seals and install the nut in place.
Manufacturers of heating boilers seal detachable connections using gaskets made of rubber, silicone, paronite or other elastic materials. They are easy to use, durable and always available for sale. They often come complete with clamps. When choosing gaskets, take into account the thread size.
You can also use sanitary flax as a sealant. Regardless of the presence of leaks, seals are changed every time water communications are dismantled.
Leading manufacturers
The recognized leader in the line of self-cleaning filters is Honeywell (Denmark). Its products are reliable, durable, and contain only reliable, replaceable parts with a long service life.
Products from TIEMME, Valtec, Itap (Italy), SYR (Germany), and Atoll (Russia) have proven themselves well. The latter produces a wide range of industrial and household inexpensive devices.
The manufacturer retrofits washing filters with gearboxes and pressure gauges. Consumers see the only drawback as the high price.
Honeywell ff06
Direct flushing device for cold water. The Honeywell f76s body is made of stamped brass, the flask is made of transparent impact-resistant plastic. The mesh size of the fine mesh made of stainless steel is 0.1 mm, with a ball valve for washing. During flushing, the water supply to the consumer does not stop.
Honeywell f74c
Backwash device with pressure gauge. Used to clean cold water from rust, sand, fibers. Protects plumbing fixtures and water heating devices from damage.
The mesh backwash method ensures thorough cleaning of the filter element and flask. During cleaning, the water supply to apartments, houses, cottages, and mass consumers is not interrupted.
Can be installed on a horizontal or vertical sector of the pipeline with the bowl facing down. The grid can be replaced with another one. The cell size can also be selected as desired (50, 100, 200 microns).
What are the consequences
Even if hot water only occasionally flows from a cold tap, this is a reason to take action immediately, and not wait for the moment when it starts running constantly. Please note that even rare cases of temperature increases observed on a cold water supply line not intended for such surges result in the development of pathogenic microflora on the walls of the pipeline. As a result, the incoming liquid becomes unsuitable for food purposes - it cannot be drunk, and it is highly not recommended to cook anything with it.
If the boiler fails as a result of overpressure, you will have to repair it at your own expense, like any other equipment. Housing and communal services will definitely not compensate for such costs, because the breakdown will not be their fault.
When there is hot liquid in the cold water riser, not only the residents of the problem apartment, but also the neighbors will face the consequences. This is especially unpleasant and even dangerous, because unknowingly they can open the valve and get burned by boiling water.
There is also a risk of damage to those devices that are additionally hung on the cold water line, but are not designed for high temperatures, that is:
- filters;
- counters;
- toilet cisterns;
- drain mechanisms.
Therefore, it is so important not to lead the situation to specific breakdowns or accidents, and to immediately change gaskets and seals or reinstall incorrectly installed plumbing fixtures.
