Maintenance Schedule
| Task | Frequency |
|---|---|
|
Replace the catalytic carbon media
The media gradually gets used up and stops pulling chlorine, chloramine, and sulfur out of your water. Call us when your water starts tasting or smelling like the tap again — that's the signal, and it usually shows up before the interval is technically due.
|
Every 4–8 Years |
|
Rinse the tank to fluff the media bed
Only if your tank has no backwash valve. Over time the media settles into a packed bed and water starts cutting channels straight through it instead of soaking through. Rinsing lifts and re-fluffs the bed so your water gets full contact time with the carbon again. If your tank has a backwash valve on top, it already does this on its own and you can skip this.
|
Every 1–2 Years |
Supplies
SilCarbon Catalytic Carbon — 12 x 40 Mesh (1 cu. ft.)
This is the exact media your tank uses. Part CAT-1240CS-1 (also labeled KAT-G K124), sold by the cubic foot and NSF/ANSI 61 & 42 certified.
Make sure you're buying catalytic carbon, not standard activated carbon. Catalytic carbon is what removes chloramine, which is what Houston uses to disinfect the water supply. Standard activated carbon barely touches it.
Not sure how many cubic feet your tank holds? Call us before you order — it depends on your tank size.
Buy Catalytic Carbon Media
How-To Videos
How to Replace the Media in a Tank
This walkthrough is filmed on a water softener, but the process is the same for your media tank: the tank comes off the plumbing, the old media gets emptied out, and the new media goes in through the top. Media replacement is heavy, messy work and the tank has to be re-bedded correctly — most customers have us handle it, and we're happy to.
Need a Hand?
Our team is available for service calls, tune-ups, and repairs throughout the Houston area.