What If My Water Filter Freezes, Will It Be Damaged?

Water Filter Freezing

Will a water filter get damaged if it freezes? The answer is yes, it could. The water filter cartridge or filter element could freeze and damage / crack (may not be visible).

Many of us have at least one portable water filter. We might take them along while hiking, camping, or simply include in a dedicated survival kit, bug out bag, or other usage scenarios. But, be aware of freezing cold temperature issues! This may be an overlooked issue if you leave a water filter in a kit that stays in your vehicle (for example) during the winter months.

UPDATE: Berkey Countertop Water Filters: Just like the portable water filters which contain filter media, the Berkey filter elements could also freeze. Usually this filter is in your house. So not a problem. However!… If you’re like me and have a camper, it’s best to take the Berkey inside the house for winter!

Please support family owned business, USA Berkey Filters, if you plan to buy your own, or replacement media:

>> All Berkey Filter Models

Freezing Temperatures & Water Filter Media

Have you ever wondered if your water filter might be damaged if it gets below freezing?

Maybe you haven’t thought about it before, but you should…

Why? Because freezing temperatures may damage the water filter element –
…and you won’t even know it!

That’s right, the internal filter media (cartridge) might crack. And then when you go to use it – the filter will be inadequate, allowing contaminants to get through.

How do freezing cold temperatures damage the filter?

When it freezes, ice crystals embed within the filter media. This may crack, expand, or form ‘holes’ within the water filter cartridge itself which are larger than the filter’s pore size. This will result in raw unfiltered water to flow through without being properly filtered.

How do I know if the water filter is broken?

The thing is, there is no absolute way to know if your water filter has been damaged from freezing temperatures.

You don’t want to find out by getting sick!

By the way, the ‘food coloring’ test is not definitive. It’s water soluble so it may get through the filter pores anyway indicating a false-positive. “Most dyes go into solution (molecular), not suspension (particle) form”. Note that a charcoal filter stage may absorb food coloring, but charcoal is for neutralization of odor and flavor.

[ Read: Black Berkey Red Dye Food Coloring Test – Does it Work or Not? ]

You might check with the filter manufacturer website and FAQ (frequently-asked-questions) to discover whether or not your filter is susceptible to freeze damage.

Generally speaking, if the filter element has been used and therefore is wet, the water inside will freeze at temperatures below 32 degrees-F and will likely crack, damage, or destroy the filter media inside.

Note: A water filter’s internal media will remain wet for a very long time, even after draining it or not using it for awhile. In my opinion, depending on filter media this could be weeks or longer. I believe I’ve read (from Sawyer?) that once it’s used once it will never fully dry.

The Good News

Fortunately these portable water filters are not expensive.
So replacement doesn’t hurt so much.

FROZEN LIFESTRAW WATER FILTER

Here’s what they say on the LifeStraw website:

“If your LifeStraw has been used, and is then exposed to freezing temperatures, water inside can freeze and crack the filter. You may not see these cracks, so we recommend never letting it freeze once it’s been used. When camping at high elevations or freezing temperatures, be extra careful not to let it freeze.”

Please support family-owned business, ReadyMadeResources.com to purchase your own:

>> LifeStraw portable water filter
(free shipping)

SAWYER FILTER & FREEZING TEMPERATURES

Here’s what they say on the Sawyer website:

Before initial wetting
Filter is safe from freezing temperatures if it has never been wetted.

After initial wetting
While there is no definitive way to tell if a filter has been damaged due to freezing, Sawyer recommends replacing your filter if you suspect that it has been frozen.

During trips
If you are in freezing temperatures, we recommend that you store your filter in your pocket or close to your person so that your body heat can prevent freezing.