FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Have questions?
Freshly Squeezed Water Co. has answers.
FAQ's. General Information
Frequently Asked Questions
We have put together a collection of some questions we get asked fairly regularly. We will add more over time as you ask them and if you have a question that you don’t see an answer for don’t hesitate to contact us on:
(02) 9712 1022
Important Tip:
Always use plumbers’ tape on threaded fittings.
Important Tip:
Cut your tubing vertically at a 90-degree angle with a sharp blade.
Which filters are best for me?
That depends on what system you are using and what kind of things you want taken out of the water.
Canister systems use a 10″ cylindrical cartridge that is installed into the canister and then re-attached to the head unit.
Snapseal systems use the Snapseal filter range which attaches directly to the head unit.
All filters have specific elements they target – for example sediment filters remove microscopic bits in the water whereas carbon filters remove the elements you want out of the water (like chlorine, chemicals, pesticides, etc). Carbon filters also have variations in their capabilities, for example we have carbon filters that are also capable of removing Fluoride, or carbon filters that also alkalise the water to PH 9.
So, it really depends on what type of system you have and the type of things you want to take out of the water.
How long do filters last?
This is typically determined by the type of filter, the quality of the water and the amount of water put through the filter however as a general rule:
Pre-filter: 6 months
Sediment filter: 1 year
Granular Activated Carbon filter: 1 year
Fridge and shower filters: 1 year
Carbon block (mixed media such as fluoride removal or alkaline water): 1 year
Carbon block standard): 1 1/2 years
I am going away, will my filters be ok?
Maybe… it depends on how long your absence is. Filters don’t start their shelf life until water is put through them however once they have been used, long periods of no use can lead to stagnation and possible growth in the wet internal media.
Don’t worry though, there is a solution if you have been using your filters and need to take some time off, also good for those of you using systems in RV’s that aren’t used all the time:
Any used filter can be disconnected from the system, drained overnight, placed in a plastic bag and then placed in your fridges crisper whilst you are away. This will keep your filters internal media fresh – allowing them to be re-installed upon your return and then continued to be used without worrying about stagnation or growth.
So, if you will be away for 3+ weeks it may be a good idea to stow your filters to ensure they are all good when you return. When you re-install them don’t forget to run your water for 5-10 mins afterwards.
How do i install Snapseal filters
Snapseal filters have significantly made changing your filters easier; featuring a self-container filter that connects directly into the head unit and an easy bayonet style bind and release system, the Snapseal system does away with needing to separate the canister, manage your O-rings and correctly align filters.
Turn off the water to your filtration system at the stop cock.
Run your water filtration systems faucet to release any water left over in the tubing – this will minimise any dripping.
To remove the existing filter simply rotate the filter a quarter turn clockwise and apply vertical pressure to release the filter. Repeat again for any additional filters.
*NB: Used filters are not considered safe by recycling companies and therefore must be disposed of in the bin.
To install a new filter, line the label up so it is facing you and vertically fit the filter into the head unit, so it sits flush. Once in place simply rotate the filter a quarter turn anti-clockwise to lock the filter back in place. Repeat again for any additional filters.
Once your filters have been re-installed and locked into place turn back on the stop cock to once again allow water flow to the filtration system. If you have changed a carbon filter remember to run your water for 5-10 mins to get rid of any loose particulates.
How do i install 10" canister system filters?
Unlike Snapseal systems, canister systems have an outer shell that must first be separated from the head unit before the filters can be installed:
Turn off the water to your system.
Unscrew the canister’s (this can be tricky depending on how well your O-ring has been maintained, the pressure exerted by the system and the binding of the threads – if you are having issues try an oil filter opener). *TIP: Once opened we always add some Vaseline or vegetable oil to the O-ring – it keeps it from wearing as much when separating the canister’s and makes it significantly easier to open the canister’s the next time we need to change filters.
Once you have separated the canister’s from the head unit, simply remove the old filter and empty any water. *TIP: make sure you give the canister a slight tap on the bottom whilst holding it up-side-down to remove any possible left-over filter O-rings.
Install your new filter – making sure when you seat the filter that you can see the filters O-ring looking back at you (so that when it is returned to the head unit the O-ring meets the inlet connection). The filter should sit centralised within the canister.
Screw back on the canister to the head unit and ensure that the filters have remained seated correctly (there should be no movement by the filter within the canister).
If you are satisfied with your system filter change, turn back on the water to the system and run for 5-10 minutes (if you have changed the carbon filter) – observe the unit to make sure everything has been re-sealed correctly and there are no leaks.
I changed filters but the water is milky, is this OK?
Yes, this is typically not an issue and will settle. The milky colour is essentially oxygen and other gasses in the water and is common after turning off your water filtration system and replacing your filters. This normally settles in time. NB: alkalising filters actively oxygenate the water so this may be more common in those types of systems.
How long should i run my water for after changing carbon filters?
After changing your carbon filter, we recommend running your water for 5-10 minutes, you can then give that water to your plants. Running your filters after changing the carbon filter is a good idea to remove any loose carbon particulates from the filter.
How do i clean my Melamine Resin filter?
Remove melamine resin from filter housing and rinse thoroughly to remove excess build up – use warm (not hot) water.
Stand the filter and allow to dry and then using a soft bristle brush gently clean off any remaining sediment.
You can cycle the filter through another cleaning cycle if the build-up is significant.
What is a KDF filter?
KDF stands for Kinetic Degradation Fluxion. KDF filter medium is a high-purity formulation of copper-zinc alloy that reduces contaminants such as chlorine, bacteria and heavy metals using a chemical process called redox, or oxidation-reduction.
Do you have fridge filters?
We have externally mounted inline Fridge filters in the ways of the PCF range.
However, we do not stock manufacturer specific filters that are installed in your fridge unit – for those types of filters we recommend you contact the manufacturer of your fridge and they can advise you as to where to buy the necessary replacement filters.
Will a triple system last longer?
Yes and no…
If you have a household or small office of 5+ people and are using a twin system you will find that the expected lifespan of the filters is shortened due to the additional water being put through the system. This is where a triple system comes in, it allows the filters to last their expected life spans even with the increased usage.
So yes, for 5+ people a triple system will last longer however if you have a smaller family then you may not be getting the full benefits of a triple system.
*NB: It is the filters and their media that determines what is removed from the water and all media has a finite amount of usage before the media is used up or becomes full.
Which system is best for me?
That depends on where you want to install the system, for what purpose and what you want to remove from the water, however, here are a few general options to help point you in the right direction:
Bench top 10″ canister systems: 1 filter.
Good for singles or small families that can’t be drilling holes in their bench top to mount an external faucet. also good for RV’s where you just want to filter the drinking water. *NB: With bench top systems using just the single filter it must do the job of both the sediment filter and the carbon filter, thereby dropping the expected life expectancy of the filter.
Under-sink Snapseal systems: 1-3 filters.
Under-sink systems are our most popular system. They come in single, twin and triple orientations and feature the Snaplock system to make changing filters easier. They require the installation of an externally mounted faucet and offer the widest variety of filter combinations. Under-sink systems are commonly installed in houses however can also be installed into RV’s to filter the drinking water.
Big Blue farm system: 1 filter per canister.
Big Blue systems filter are used for filtering all the water coming into the property, they generally have a larger micron rating, and the media is washable / replaceable.
RV systems – High Flow Traveller, Voyager and Trekker: 1-2 filters.
These systems are typically used for RV setups, they use standard garden hose fittings to make connecting your RV to a water source nice and easy. Generally, they filter all water coming into the RV and are designed to be mounted externally on RV’s.
What size is the tubing your systems use?
All of our standard bench top and under sink systems use 1/4″ tubing and fittings.
The RV specific systems use 3/4″ > 12mm standard garden hose connections for easy connection of water sources during trips.
How does Snaplock work?
Snaplock is a system for attaching tubing quickly and easily into fittings by simply pushing the tubing into the fitting, without needing to set olives and supplementary collars. Snaplock holds the tube in place when opposing pressure is applied, locking the tubing into place – hence Snaplock.
To install a piece of tubing into a Snaplock fitting simply push the tubing into the fitting until it hits the base of the fitting. *NB: Make sure that the tubing is cut straight at a 90-degree angle for best connection.
To remove a piece of tubing from a Snaplock fitting it is IMPORTANT you hold the collar present on all Snaplock fittings towards the fitting. Whilst holding the collar you can now start to slide out the tubing. If the collar is not held the tubing will not release and you may damage the fitting by forcing it – once a Snaplock fitting is damaged it needs to be replaced as it will no longer hold the tubing under pressure.
My system has started to leak, what do i do?
If you notice your system has sprung a leak the first thing to do is turn off the water to your filtration system until you are ready to assess the situation.
Dry off the system and turn back on the water to your system. Try to ascertain where the leak is originating, common areas include:
- The inlet and outlet connections.
- The Snapseal filter itself, or the connection of the filter to the head unit.
- The head unit.
Once you have an idea of where the leak is originating turn back off the water to your system.
We can now do some testing to try and resolve the situation, *NB: Make sure you turn the water off to your system again before testing.
INLET / OUTLET
If it looks like the leak is originating from the inlet / outlet fittings try and remove the 1/4″ tubing from the Snaplock fitting (by holding the collar towards the fitting and removing the tubing). Cut 1cm off the end of the tubing (make sure the cut is straight at 90-degrees). Re-insert the tubing into the fittings and turn the water back on, see if the fresh tubing ends resolve the issue. If the system is still leaking you could try and remove the fittings (screw thread) and adding additional plumbers’ tape to the treads before re-installing. If the leak persists it could be the head unit itself, in which case your best bet is to contact us on (02) 9712 1022.
THE FILTERS
If you suspect the leak is originating from where the filters meet the head unit an easy test to do is to swap the filters around. If the leak follows the filter once it has been swapped, then it is safe to assume the issue lies with the filter and it needs replacing. If after the filters have been swapped around, the leak persists at the same spot then it is likely an issue with the head of the unit, in which case your best bet is to contact us on (02) 9712 1022.
THE HEAD UNIT
If the issue is with the head unit, your best bet is to replace the faulty unit for a new one. Give us a call on (02) 9712 1022.
What is the best way to get my 10" canister open?
The 10″ canister systems can be tricky to get open, depending on their age and the system pressure. If you are having trouble separating the canister from the head unit, we suggest either a circular spanner (if you still have one) or our personal preference is to use an oil cap opening tool that we picked up from a car shop.
As a general rule, A clockwise rotation will loosen the head and canister whereas an anti-clockwise rotation will tighten back up the two pieces.
*NB: TIP – Once opened add some Vaseline or vegetable oil to the O-ring – it helps preserve the rubber and stop it from gripping and sticking, making opening the canister easier the next time.
Is there a system upgrade option?
Actually YES 🙂
For our customers who have an older 10″ canister system and who want to upgrade to the newer and easier to use Snaplock system then we have an upgrade option available called a “module upgrade”.
The module upgrade comes with the Snapseal head unit and the corresponding filters only. Given that you have an existing system with the fittings, tubing and faucet already setup, this upgrade option allows you to simply swap the head and filters whilst using your existing connections.
Removing the old system:
*Always turn off the water to your system before changing components. Simply remove or cut your 1/4″ tubing at the inlet and outlet, remove the old head unit (head + canister’s + filters).
Installing the new system:
Now that the old unit has been removed and the tubing disconnected you can install the new Snapseal head unit and filters. Take the inlet tubing and attach to the inlet of the new head unit, repeat for the outlet. Mount the head unit in place and install the Snapseal filters in the correct orientation, turn the water back on and run it for 5-10 minutes – the water should make its way through the new head unit and filters and then out your existing faucet, observe the system for any leaks and to make sure the connections have been fitted correctly.
Can i get someone to install my system?
Yes, if you are in the Sydney-metro area we have an installer who works 1-day per week for us to install or service our customers system. Please note this is by appointment only so if you are interested in this service please contact us on (02) 9712 1022 to make a booking. *NB: If you require an under-sink system to be installed in a stone / granite / marble bench top you will first need to contact a stone mason to make the 12mm hole in your bench top as this requires specialised equipment and insurances before our installer goes to setup the system.
You can also install the system all by yourself; the pressure points are making sure the water is off before you start, getting the mains connector installed correctly and mounting the drinking faucet (requires making a 12mm hole in your bench top). If none of that sounds too daunting, then the rest of the setup is as simple as plug-n-play and you will be easily able to install the system yourself.
If that still sounds like a bit of an ordeal you can also hire a qualified plumber to install your system. This will be an easy job for them.
Can i install the system myself?
Yes, you certainly can. Just be sure to turn the water off before you start disconnecting things.
First make sure you have sufficient room in your cupboard for the system (leave approximately 40-50cm vertical clearance to allow for removal of the filters).
How do i install / change the faucet?
To install our under sink faucets you will need to make a 12mm hole in your bench top where you want the faucet installed and with direct access top where you will be mounting your water filtration system. If your bench top is not stone / marble / granite / etc. then a standard drill should be able to handle to job.
Installing:
If using the base plate, place that first then insert the faucet thread into the hole that has been created. Fasten the faucet to the bench top with the washer and nut. Lastly attach the tubing to the faucet; either by using the John Guest Faucet adapter or by using the olive system supplied with each faucet.
Removing:
First turn off the water to your water filtration system and then disconnect the tubing from the base of the faucet. From underneath the bench top, loosen the nut and washer and remove. You can now remove the old faucet, to install a new faucet follow the above instructions.
How / where do i install a PLV?
PLV – Pressure Limiting Valve.
You want to install this additional fitting in the “In” line between where the water is supplied from your mains and where it reaches the filtration system.
The simplest way of understanding the placement is to follow your inlet tubing back to the mains, if you were to follow this tubing to the halfway point and cut the line in half, this is where you would install the PLV; so that it reduces the water pressure before it is sent to the water filtration system.
*NB: All the standard practices regarding turning off water to your system and emptying any remaining water left in the tubing should be undertaken before installing any additional components – be it filters, fittings or parts.
How do i install a diverter for my bench top system?
Is fluoride in the water bad or not?
We are not going to weigh into that argument, that is for you to decide.
If you want to keep fluoride in the water but remove all of the other bad elements, then the standard carbon block is for you.
If you want to remove fluoride as well as the other bad elements, then you should look at either Fluoroguard for the Snapseal range or Fluoriguard for the 10″ range.
NB* Fluoride removing carbon filters need to give up some of their internal media space for dedicated fluoride removal media, as such the filters lifespan is shorter than that of the standard carbon block.
How do Hydropods work?
At its most simplistic, you drop one into a water bottle – shake it and then let it sit for 5 minutes … then enjoy your oxygenated and alkalised water, free of chlorine.
Each pod can filter approximately 100L of water or 1 pod lasts approximately 3 months in your standard water bottle, with a 4-pack lasting approximately 12 months.
The alkalising media in the Hydropods oxygenate (great for after exercise) and alkalise the water (closer to PH 9) as well as removes chlorine, assisting the body in combating free radicals and lowering ORP levels.
Are there benefits to alkaline water?
Again, this is for you to research and come to your own conclusions, however if alkaline water is your thing, then check out Snapseal alkalising filters, which raise the PH to 9.
*NB: Alkaline filters are only available in the Snapseal range and have no 10″ canister counterparts.
How long does it take to receive my package?
That all depends on your location and the order.
We use Australia Post and Couriers Please as our delivery partners.
Delivery times are typically:
- 2-3 days for Sydney Metro.
- 3-7 days for interstate and country.
- 7+ days for interstate and isolated.
Of course, these times are just a guesstimate and may vary depending on current circumstances, but we endeavour to process and ship your orders as soon as we can.
My package hasn't arrived, what should i do?
If your package is listed as delivered but you haven’t seen it or if it hasn’t arrived in a reasonable time frame, please contact us immediately on (02) 9712 1022 and we can try and track down / ascertain the status of our delivery.
