Maintaining a septic system requires attention to every component. Understanding how often you should replace the carbon in your filters is the key to effective odor control and system efficiency. We’ll walk through best practices for taking care of carbon filters so you can keep your septic system performing at its best.
What Are Carbon Filters for Septic Systems?
Carbon filters neutralize odors produced by septic systems. This is largely due to the environment they are in. For example, if a house is located against a line of trees, wind vortices can push the air around the house down. These filters eliminate odors by treating the air exiting the home’s septic vents.
Purpose of Carbon Filters
The primary purpose of a carbon filter in a septic system is odor control. Septic systems naturally produce gases, including hydrogen sulfide, which smells like rotten eggs. Without a filter, gases escape through vent pipes and can disrupt people in residential or commercial areas.
Carbon filters capture volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which is particularly helpful if the septic or sewer gasses exiting your vent pipes are being pulled back down to the ground due to air currents or the local terrain.
How Carbon Filters Work
Carbon filters use activated carbon, which is absorbent. The carbon traps and neutralizes odor molecules from the septic system’s venting pipes. When air passes through the filter, particles that cause bad smells adhere to the carbon, leaving only odorless air to escape. Over time, however, the efficiency of the filter decreases as the carbon becomes saturated.
Benefits of Using Carbon Filters
The benefits of carbon filters extend beyond odor control. First, they enhance the comfort of outdoor spaces, allowing you to enjoy activities without unpleasant smells. Second, they protect neighbors from being impacted by odors that could otherwise tarnish your property’s reputation. Activated carbon does not absorb CO2 or CO. However, it does absorb other environmentally hazardous gases such as H2S, ammonia, and other VOCs.
Best Times To Replace the Carbon in Your Filters
Filters lose their ability to neutralize odors as their carbon material becomes saturated. That said, replacing the carbon in activated carbon filters ensures efficient odor control. The replacement frequency varies based on usage, airflow, gas concentration, and whether the system is residential or commercial.
Residential Carbon Filters
For residential septic systems, replacement time varies on the factors mentioned above. Carbon filters on a single-family home typically require replacement every three to five years. The exact timeline depends on the household’s wastewater output. A large family using more water will saturate the carbon filters faster than a smaller household. For example, a family of six might find that the filter needs changing every one to two years, while a household with just two people could extend this to three to five years.
To maintain optimal performance, inspect the filter at least twice a year. If unpleasant odors return before your expected replacement date, it’s a strong indication that the carbon has reached its saturation point and needs replacing. Industrial Odor Control filters and heavy-duty residential vent filters come with end-of-life service indicators that change color to let you know the carbon filter should be replaced.
Commercial Carbon Filters
How often you should replace the carbon in your filters in your commercial system depends on a variety of factors. Restaurants or food processing plants generate significant organic waste, so it’s best to replace filters more often, such as every three to six months.
If odors seep through the vent system at the outdoor seating area of a restaurant, it can adversely affect customers’ dining experiences and even lead to complaints. Timely carbon replacements prevent these issues and maintain a welcoming environment. Industrial Odor Control’s carbon filters can handle the high demands of commercial setups, providing reliable and long-lasting odor control solutions.
Exceptions to Typical Replacement Timelines
If you have hard water, you may notice a white crust forming on the outside of your filter. This can easily be brushed away.
Best Practices for Maintaining Carbon Filters
Perform regular inspections of your carbon filter to determine when it needs replacement. Examine the filter for signs of unpleasant odors. Also, inspect residential systems quarterly, while commercial systems benefit from monthly checks. Frequent inspections allow you to catch and resolve potential problems before they cause bigger issues.
Use a log to track when you inspect the filter and record any observations. Keeping detailed records helps you identify and address patterns, such as short filter lifespans during specific seasons. Industrial Odor Control commercial-grade filters come with optional saturation indicators. These indicators are mounted on the outlet of the filter about two inches in from the end of the carbon bed, and they change color when exposed to H2S. This lets you know that you’ll be getting odor breakthrough soon and need to replace the carbon.
Proper Installation and Usage
Install filters correctly to maximize their effectiveness. Our filters slide down on a PVC pipe and require no tools for installation (with the exception of our Inline Filter). They are designed to come off easily to replace the carbon.
You can minimize strain on your septic system by controlling what goes into it. Avoid flushing materials that don’t break down easily. Stick to septic-safe cleaning products. Reducing the load on the system limits the production of gases that the filters handle.
Choosing the Right Replacement Materials
Effective odor control starts with selecting the right carbon filters for your septic system. Industrial Odor Control designs high-grade filters that deliver exceptional odor absorption and durability. We also use Norit’s Darco H2S LP in all their septic and sewer vent filters. This catalytic carbon has a longer life than other activated carbons. Using the proper carbon will guarantee optimal performance. Replacing the saturated carbon media while keeping the existing filter, minimizes waste and saves on cost.
It’s important to verify that the replacement carbon aligns with your septic system’s specifications. Using improper or low-quality media results in reduced effectiveness, frequent replacements, and high long-term expenses. Choose the right media to maintain reliability and keep your system odor-free.