Water Filter Failures and Subrogation Potential

Key Takeaways

Through this article, find out:

• Why insurance professionals should investigate water filter failures
• How failures can manifest in a range of filter types, and even refrigerators
• What role Professional Engineers play in identifying the underlying cause of these failures

Some failures in whole-house, under-sink, point-of-use, and refrigerator water filtration systems stem from manufacturers’ defects or installation errors. This means that when these products fail and cause major water damage to nearby property, insurance professionals could have the opportunity to recoup settlement costs through subrogation. However, expert testing is essential to determine the root cause of a water filter failure. Learn about water filter failure modes identified by Professional Engineers that may be linked to manufacturers’ defects and how their conclusions can inform your subrogation decisions.

A water softener and a water filter displayed on a table, showcasing home water treatment solutions.

Failures in Whole-House Water Filters

Whole-house water filters, typically installed in basements or utility areas, are larger units designed to filter water for an entire property. These systems generally consist of a plastic canister and a head assembly with a replaceable cartridge.

Over time, these filters can develop longitudinal fractures along their reinforcement ribs, causing leaks. Destructive product failure testing may also reveal interior fractures and signs of material degradation. Collectively, these factors may point to a failure commonly caused by voids within the filter’s material, or small holes that weaken its structural integrity. These voids—caused by poor manufacturing practices such as trapped gas during molding or improper cooling processes—can act as sharp corners or reduce material thickness.

Material voids in whole-house water filters can lead to longitudinal fractures, such as this one, and may be the result of a manufacturing defect.

Under-Sink and Point-of-Use Water Filter Failures

Under-sink and point-of-use water filters are available in various designs and are meant to deliver targeted filtration for drinking water. However, they are not without structural vulnerabilities.

The injection gate in a water filter, located at the bottom of the filter housing, is a small opening that regulates the flow of molten plastic into the injection mold to form inner filter components. However, fractures can sometimes form at the injection gate. These fractures are typically associated with slow crack growth, and destructive product failure testing may reveal signs of material degradation caused by prolonged exposure to chlorides in the domestic water supply. Such failures can point to manufacturers’ defects, particularly molding deficiencies.

This point-of-use water filter shows a fracture near its injection gate. Expert product failure testing is needed to determine if the leak is due to a manufacturer’s defect.

Reverse osmosis (RO) systems are a particular type of point-of-use filter with a semi-permeable membrane to remove contaminants from drinking water. These systems can fail due to freezing, sharp corners, pipe thread compounds, overtightening, voids, impact damage, or material degradation. Professional Engineers use advanced tools and testing methods to pinpoint the cause of RO failures.

However, RO systems are especially vulnerable to damage and are often harmed during transit. Using specialized evidence shipping services with secure packaging is crucial to preserving the integrity of these products and ensuring accurate testing results. Without proper handling, determining the cause of failure can become more challenging, potentially jeopardizing a subrogation opportunity.

Refrigerator Water Filter Failures

Refrigerator water filters, housed within the appliance, can fail for a variety of reasons. In some cases, leaks occur due to failures in the refrigerator rather than the filter.

One common issue is overpressurization, often caused by freezing conditions resulting from a refrigerator control malfunction. When the refrigerator fails to regulate temperature properly, the internal space can drop below freezing for extended periods, leading to bifurcating fractures in the water filter. This type of failure may indicate a manufacturer’s defect in the refrigerator.

Bifurcating fractures in refrigerator water filters often indicate freeze damage, which may result from a refrigerator failure.

Refrigerators can also damage water filters when their cabinet walls drop below the dew point, causing condensation to accumulate at cold spots. A defective foaming process during the refrigerator’s manufacturing could cause poor insulation and the resulting condensation.

Inline refrigerator filters are also prone to fractures at the spin weld, where cracks can form due to sharp corners. These failures are often attributable to manufacturers’ defects.

Determining the Root Cause: The Role of Professional Engineers

Fully investigating water losses involving water filters or refrigerators is critical to ensure subrogation potential isn’t overlooked.

Professional Engineers at Component Testing Laboratories (CTL), part of Alpine Intel’s suite of services, use proven destructive and non-destructive product failure testing to evaluate water filter leaks and determine if they are linked to a manufacturer’s defect. During investigations, these experts may:

• Recreate overpressurization failures
• Subject exemplar filters to freezing temperatures
• Use Scanning Electron Microscopes and Energy Dispersive Spectrometry to compare material composition against industry standards

Gain the product failure insights you need for confident subrogation decisions. Submit an assignment to CTL today.

Alpine Intel’s content is meant to inform and educate readers using general terms and descriptions. They do not replace expert evaluations that determine facts and details related to each unique claim.