Answer: Your RO is likely fine - this is completely normal for Indian water conditions, especially hard water areas. Filter manufacturers quote 6-12 month lifespan based on ideal water (TDS <300 ppm, minimal sediment). Reality in India: Municipal water in Delhi (TDS 500-800), Chennai (800-1200), or bore water (often >1000 TDS) reduces filter life to 2-4 months. Not defective if: Output water quality is good, flow rate is acceptable, no leaks. Solution: This is a water quality issue, not an RO defect. Install external pre-sediment filter (₹800-₹1,500) to extend filter life 2-3X, or switch to jumbo filters for longer intervals. Track your TDS and accept that your specific water requires more frequent changes than manufacturer's estimate.

Answer: Compatible filters are fine if food-grade certified. Here's the honest breakdown: Genuine brand filters (Kent, Aquaguard, etc.): ₹400-₹1,200 per set, guaranteed quality, perfect fit, warranty protection. Compatible third-party filters: ₹150-₹400 per set (50-70% cheaper), same filter materials (spun polypropylene, activated carbon), standard sizes fit most RO systems. Key considerations: (1) Buy only NSF/food-grade certified compatible filters - check certifications; (2) Ensure exact size match (10" length, micron rating); (3) Replace RO membrane with genuine brand every 2-3 years regardless of filter brand; (4) Compatible filters are same physical product from different manufacturers - sediment/carbon filters are commodity items. Recommendation: Use compatible filters for routine pre-filters (sediment, carbon). Use genuine brand for RO membrane and post-carbon (final stage). This gives 60-70% cost savings without compromising safety.

Answer: Yes, if input TDS is >600 ppm and you're spending >₹4,000 annually on filters. Cost-benefit analysis: Water softener investment: ₹8,000-₹20,000 (equipment) + ₹1,500-₹3,000 (installation) + ₹500-₹1,000/year (salt refills). Benefits: (1) Reduces filter replacement frequency by 50-70% (saves ₹2,000-₹4,000/year); (2) Extends RO membrane life from 2 years to 3-4 years (saves ₹1,500-₹2,000 per membrane); (3) Protects all home appliances (geysers, washing machines) from scale buildup; (4) Better water quality for bathing, cleaning. Break-even time: 2-3 years for high TDS areas (>800 ppm), 4-5 years for moderate TDS (600-800 ppm). Best for: Bore water users, cities with extreme hard water (Chennai, Jaipur, Hyderabad). Alternative: If TDS is 400-600 ppm, pre-filtration alone (₹1,500-₹2,500) may be sufficient without softener investment.

Answer: Yes, monthly replacement during monsoon is often necessary, but you can reduce costs. Why monsoon is worse: Heavy rains carry construction dust, soil erosion, and debris into municipal water systems. Old pipelines shed sediment. Overhead tanks accumulate dirt. Cost-effective monsoon strategy: (1) Install external pre-filter: Catches bulk sediment before RO (₹100-₹200 filter monthly vs ₹400-₹600 RO filter); (2) Clean overhead tank before monsoon: June is critical month - clean tank in May to reduce sediment load; (3) Use reusable spin-down filter: Weekly flushing (30 seconds) instead of monthly replacement (saves ₹400-₹800 over 4-month monsoon season); (4) Stock filters in advance: Buy 4-5 filters in April-May when prices are normal, avoid monsoon price spikes; (5) Monitor visual color: Replace when 50% discolored, don't wait for complete clogging. Seasonal schedule: June-September = monthly sediment filter changes, October-May = return to 3-4 month schedule. Annual cost with strategy: ₹2,000-₹3,000 vs ₹4,000-₹6,000 without planning.

Answer: Use 20-micron for single external pre-filter, or two-stage 50+20 micron for heavy sediment. Micron rating guide: 50-micron: Catches visible particles, sand, silt, construction debris. Ideal for first-stage gross sediment removal. Lasts longest but lets fine particles through. 20-micron: Best all-around choice for external pre-filter. Catches most sediment while maintaining good flow rate. Recommended for single pre-filter installations. 10-micron: Fine sediment filtration. Use inside RO system as standard sediment filter (after 20-micron pre-filter). Don't use as first-stage external filter - clogs too quickly. 5-micron: Very fine filtration. Only use as final pre-filter stage or inside RO. Will clog within days if used for raw sediment-heavy water. Recommended staging: Heavy sediment areas: 50-micron (external) → 20-micron (external) → 10-micron (RO first stage). Moderate sediment: 20-micron (external) → 10-micron (RO first stage). Low sediment: 10-micron (RO first stage only, no external pre-filter needed).

Answer: Limited washing is possible for spun sediment filters, but not recommended for drinking water safety. Reality of filter washing: Spun polypropylene sediment filters: Can be washed 1-2 times maximum by rinsing under running water. Removes surface sediment but doesn't restore deep filtration capacity. After washing, expect 30-50% reduced effectiveness. Activated carbon filters: Cannot be washed effectively - carbon pores are saturated with chlorine, organics, and odors. Washing does nothing. Must replace. Safety concerns: (1) Washing doesn't sterilize filter - bacteria can colonize used filters; (2) Deep-trapped particles remain in filter matrix; (3) Filter structure weakens after washing - may develop channels allowing unfiltered water bypass; (4) For drinking water, compromised filtration is unacceptable health risk. Better money-saving alternatives: (1) Use reusable spin-down filter as first stage (unlimited washes) + disposable filters for fine filtration; (2) Buy compatible filters in bulk (₹100-₹150 each) instead of washing ₹400 genuine filters; (3) Install proper pre-filtration to extend RO filter life 2-3X. Bottom line: For ₹150-₹250 savings, washing introduces contamination risk. Not worth it for drinking water.

Answer: Construction impact on water quality typically lasts 6-18 months depending on project scale and your proximity. Timeline expectations: Foundation/excavation phase (2-4 months): Worst period - maximum dust, debris, ground vibrations shake sediment in pipelines. Filters may clog in 2-3 weeks. Construction phase (6-12 months): Continued dust but somewhat stabilized. Filter life: 4-6 weeks. Finishing phase (2-3 months): Less dust but still above normal. Filter life: 6-8 weeks. Post-construction (3-6 months): Gradual improvement as pipelines flush out accumulated sediment. Protective measures during construction: (1) Install temporary two-stage pre-filtration: 50-micron + 20-micron external filters (₹1,500-₹2,500) - remove after construction; (2) Stock 12-15 sediment filters in advance: Buy bulk during sales (₹1,200-₹2,000 for pack); (3) Clean overhead tank monthly: Construction dust accumulates in open tanks; (4) Cover overhead tank properly: Secure lid to prevent dust entry; (5) Monitor first-tap water: If visibly dirty in morning, run taps for 2-3 minutes before RO use. Cost planning: Expect ₹4,000-₹6,000 additional filter costs during construction period. Pre-filtration investment saves 40-50% of this.

Answer: Normal water area: ₹1,500-₹2,500/year. Hard water area without pre-filtration: ₹4,000-₹7,000/year. Hard water WITH pre-filtration: ₹2,500-₹4,000/year. Cost breakdown comparison: NORMAL WATER AREA (TDS <400 ppm): Sediment filter 2X/year (₹400-₹600), Carbon filter 1-2X/year (₹400-₹600), Post-carbon 1X/year (₹300-₹400), RO membrane every 3 years (₹500-₹800/year average), Annual service 1X (₹500-₹800). Total: ₹1,500-₹2,500. HARD WATER AREA (TDS 800-1500 ppm, no pre-filtration): Sediment filter 4-6X/year (₹1,600-₹3,000), Carbon filter 3X/year (₹900-₹1,500), Post-carbon 2X/year (₹600-₹800), RO membrane every 2 years (₹750-₹1,500/year average), Annual service 2X (₹1,000-₹1,600). Total: ₹4,000-₹7,000. HARD WATER WITH PRE-FILTRATION: External pre-filter 4-6X/year (₹600-₹1,200), RO sediment filter 2X/year (₹400-₹800), Carbon filter 2X/year (₹600-₹1,000), Post-carbon 1X/year (₹300-₹400), Membrane every 2.5 years (₹600-₹1,000/year average), Annual service 1X (₹600-₹1,000). Total: ₹2,500-₹4,000. Savings with pre-filtration: ₹1,500-₹3,000 annually.