You can change your cartridge filters as the water flow decreases, that will allow you to determine how long it actually takes for the filter to load. But it doesn't hurt to do it on a schedule, most people do it on a 6 or 12 month rotation, depending on your water conditions. 5 micron filters are pretty standard, if your filters tend to load up quite a bit, you could try a 20 micron to see if it lasts longer. It really depends on what you're actually filtering.

Most softeners are pre-set to regenerate at 2am, when the house is in low or no use. A filter that regenerates would be best set to go before the softener, say at 12:30-1am, depending on how long the regeneration cycle takes.

Does this help?

Thanks Safeway Water! Boy, we've maybe needlessly spent a lot of money on filters by changing them every month. They weren't even loaded much, but I thought it was the way to go, since we have so much iron. But I guess the iron might mostly be there because the water softener beads are shot? I was thinking the iron filter did more iron removing than the water softener. Thanks for your input!

A regenerating iron filter will remove most of the iron, depending on the conditions. But softener following the iron filter should scavenge any remaining traces. I rarely rely on using an iron filter solely for treatment. Water conditions can dictate a lot.

Thanks again Safeway Water. That makes a lot of sense, if our beads are old and shot, that we would still have some iron staining. Well, I guess it's new water softener time. Thanks again!

Your resin in your softener is shot-there's no doubt. Resin is usually good for about 12-15 years.

Get a new softener with usage based regeneration.

Start by getting your water tested first. You may be able to not have a pre-filter (or you may learn you have enough iron to do a separate iron filter).

Know that a decent quality water softener with a Fleck valve can be purchased online for around $600.

Thanks Jake. We've had our water tested several times in the past and the iron is super high.

Hi @catherinet

You need to replace your water softener, possibly install an iron filter, and probably ditch the cartridge particulate filter. In order to to be clear on exactly what needs to be done, you need facts.

"Super high" isn't a number. You will need numbers to get correctly sized water softener and an iron filter if required.

Thanks Jake. We got a new softener yesterday! I can tell the difference already. Sometimes life gets so busy we forget about other stuff. Anyhow......new softener.....so now we're living the dream. haha When my husband says that, I say "No, we're living the scream". haha Thanks again!