While filter cartridges are designed to be discarded regularly, the plastic housing holding them eventually wears out from constant water pressure. If your housing is over ten years old or shows tiny “spiderweb” stress cracks in the clear plastic, it is safer to replace the entire unit. A brittle housing can burst unexpectedly, especially in Litchfield Park where water pressure can fluctuate, so replacing an old unit is a small preventative cost to avoid a potential flood in your home.

If the housing body is still in good condition, a simple cartridge swap is all that is required. However, always inspect the threads for signs of warping or wear. If you find it increasingly difficult to get a watertight seal even with a new O-ring, the housing has likely reached the end of its functional life and should be replaced to ensure your filtration system remains secure.

Changing a water filter is a straightforward task, but local hard water minerals can make the housings stick tightly shut over time. Aqua Science recommends using a plastic filter wrench to avoid cracking the sump and keeping a small tube of food-grade silicone grease handy. This prevents you from having to struggle with a stuck unit and protects the integrity of the plastic components during service.

Every time you swap a cartridge, wipe the rubber O-ring clean of any grit and apply a thin, even layer of silicone grease. This simple step ensures a perfect watertight seal without the need for over-tightening. It also keeps the rubber from drying out and cracking, making the housing much easier to twist off the next time you need to perform your scheduled filter maintenance.