Let’s be honest, 2020 was weird but, the practice of maintaining a water filter is not. There are a couple of things about water filtering during the “winter downtime,” if that applies.
First, make sure and run the system daily, even if you're not currently growing or if in between harvests.
It’s important for the health and longevity of filters and membranes to avoid any still water, anywhere in the water filter system. Running a filter daily keeps the system bacteria and algae free, contaminants that can wreak havoc on not only the filters but the system itself.
However, if the system is already running slow don’t panic. If it’s cold outside the flow rate of reverse osmosis systems will always slow down, this is totally normal. If the system is clean and free of microbiological contamination, normal flow rates will return when it warms up.
Also, it never hurts to have backup filters around, just in case. No matter what the season is, the filters should be changed regularly, so having a spare on hand makes that easier to remember.
Keep in mind, housings may also need to be replaced every few years. Temperature fluctuations and exposure to the elements can shorten the life of housings significantly. Refer to the system user manual to make sure the filter housings are always in top shape.
For more information:
Hydrologic Purification Systems
www.hydrologicsystems.com