What Are the Risks of an Expired Water Filter?

If you have a filtered water tap - whether it’s a Quooker, Franke, Grohe, or any other brand - it’s easy to forget there’s a filter quietly doing its job in the background. But over time, that filter becomes less effective, and if it isn’t replaced regularly, it can actually start doing more harm than good.

The job of the filter is to remove impurities like chlorine, sediment, microplastics, and forever chemicals. When the cartridge is new, it does this very effectively. But once the filter reaches the end of its lifespan, it becomes saturated. Instead of trapping contaminants, it starts letting them through - and in some cases, it can even release previously trapped particles back into your water.

What’s more concerning is that an expired filter can become a breeding ground for bacteria and mould. Moist environments filled with organic material are exactly where bacteria thrive. So if the filter isn’t changed when it should be, you might actually end up drinking water that’s less safe than unfiltered tap water.

An old filter can also affect the tap system itself. When filters clog up, water struggles to flow through properly. This puts extra pressure on the system and can reduce performance over time - leading to issues like reduced flow rate, strange tastes or smells, and even long-term damage that can shorten the life of your tap.

In areas with hard water - like Cheltenham and much of Gloucestershire - it is even more paramount to service your filter changes, because of the extra limescale and sediment in the supply. 

The good news is that keeping on top of this doesn’t have to be difficult. With The Filter Tap Company, we supply, install and service all major brands of filtered taps, and we also offer a maintenance plan that takes the pressure off you completely. We’ll remind you when it’s time to replace your filter and send one of our engineers to do the job properly - no mess, no hassle.

If your tap hasn’t been serviced in a while or you’re not sure when the last filter change was, it’s worth checking. A simple replacement can improve taste, restore water quality, and help protect both your health and your tap system. Contact our filter tap experts who can discuss the right service or maintenance plan for your tap.