water is taking forever to filter through my berkey, like a drop every few seconds, it didn't used to be this slow.

— asked by Sam

Quick answer: Yeah, this one's common. The filters are clogged with mineral scale or fine sediment.

Diagnosis

Yeah, this one's common. The filters are clogged with mineral scale or fine sediment. The Black Berkey elements have a huge surface area, but they're not magic—they need cleaning.

How to Fix It

You need to scrub the filters. Take them out and use a Scotch-Brite pad (the green scrubby side) or a stiff brush. Scrub the entire outer surface of the ceramic shells vigorously under running water until you see the grayish-white base material come through. This removes the clogged pore layer. Rinse thoroughly.

If That Didn't Work

If scrubbing doesn't restore flow, the filters might be at the end of their lifespan (they're rated for thousands of gallons, but it depends on your source water). Extremely slow flow after cleaning usually means it's time for replacements.

Heads Up

Never use soap, detergent, or any chemical to clean the filters. You'll contaminate the media. says just a scrub pad and water, and they're right for once.

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