Leaky Filter? Find the Perfect Big Blue Water Filter O-ring! Stop Wasting Water Now!

Okay, so, I had this leaky water filter at home, one of those big blue ones. Drove me nuts. It wasn’t the filter itself, but this darn rubber ring, the o-ring, that was causing all the trouble. So, I figured I’d share my little adventure in fixing it.

First off, I turned off the water supply to the filter. Didn’t want a surprise shower, you know? Then, I released the pressure by pressing that red button on top. Once that was done, I grabbed my filter wrench – that big plastic thing – and started unscrewing the housing. It was a bit of a workout, but eventually, it came loose.

Inside, I could see the old o-ring. It was all stretched out and worn. No wonder it was leaking. I pulled it out – it came off pretty easily, thank goodness.

Then, I searched the internet for “Water Filter O-Ring” and found some suitable options. I ended up ordering a 3-pack for Pentair Pentek Big Blue Water Filters. I heard that these o-rings are compatible with many Big Blue filter housings, including the 10 and 20-inch ones. I also noticed that they are made of Buna-N material, but I’m not sure what that means. Anyway, I ordered three of them because the price was good, and I figured it’s good to have spares.

After a few days the o-ring arrived, I got the new o-ring from the pack. These are made from some kind of rubber, and this one looked a lot better than the old one. I put a little bit of food-grade silicone grease on it – just a thin layer. They say it helps it seal better and last longer.

I carefully placed the new o-ring into the groove where the old one was. Made sure it was sitting in there nice and snug, no twists or anything. Then, I screwed the filter housing back on, making sure not to over-tighten it.

Finally, I turned the water back on, slowly at first, just to check for any leaks. Held my breath for a second… and nothing! Dry as a bone. Success!

So, yeah, that’s how I fixed my leaky water filter. It was easier than I thought it would be. Just gotta have the right o-ring and a little bit of patience.

• Tools I used:
  • Filter wrench
  • New o-ring
  • Food-grade silicone grease (optional, but recommended)

It’s been a few weeks now, and it’s still holding up great. No more drips! Saved myself a call to the plumber and a bunch of money. Plus, I learned something new. Not bad for a day’s work, huh? I think the most important is to make sure you get the right size o-ring. There are different sizes, so double-check before you order.

Hope this helps anyone dealing with a similar issue. It is really simple. Oh and about the water filter, I noticed it said that carbon is often used to absorb impurities in water filters. That’s cool, I guess. Good luck!