How to extend the life of your Katadyn Hiker and Hiker Pro Filter

It's important to understand how your filter works. It is a 3-stage filtration system. Water enters through the bottom of the plastic cartridge housing and first filters through the micro-filter screen. Next, water filters through the Fiber Mesh and then finally through the Charcoal in the inner chamber, and then exits through the top.

1) Start by disassembling your water filter. Remove the C-Clip from the pump handle (just below the palm rest).

2) pull the pump handle out of the plastic housing

3) It would be a good time to lubricate the o-ring at the bottom of the pump plunger. Use the lubricant that comes with your pump, or you can use Vaseline or some other food-safe petroleum jelly.

4) Unscrew the filter cartridge counter-clockwise from the main housing and remove.

1) Remove the outer netting that surrounds the filtration part of the cartridge.

2) Remove the Micro-screen filter that surrounds the Fiber-mesh filter.

3) You disassembled pump should look like this.

1) using compressed air using an air compressor set at approximately 30 psi, blow thru the Micro-screen until all coloration and debris is removed.

If you do not have an air compressor, a tire pump or a compressed air canister can work.

3) Optionally, you can rinse the screen with water. Once you do, lay it onto a dry paper towel and let dry completely.

4) Hold the screen up to a bright light source. When the screen is clean, there should be no discoloration, dirt, particles, etc. As long as you can clean it this way, you should never have to replace this item.

Now comes the fun part of the process. We are going to "back-flush" the cartridge filter by blowing compressed air into the outlet of the cartridge and thereby expelling contaminants out through the Charcoal and the Fiber-Mesh.

1) Obtain a 1 gallon pitcher and fill it three-quarters of the way full with clean water.

2) Attach the piece of vinyl hose to the tip of the air compressor. If you are not using an industrial air compressor with this type of tip, then you will have to improvise with whatever you are using, whether it be a bicycle pump, compressed air canister, etc.

3) Attach the other end of the vinyl hose piece to the outlet of your filter cartridge

1) Lower the cartridge into the pitcher of water and press the lever on your air hose to release air into the cartridge while submerged. Release air for approximately 1 minute (You might have to hold the vinyl hose in place with one hand against the compressor outlet while squeezing the lever).

2) Depending on the past use of your filter, you'll notice that the water in the pitcher now is dirty with contaminants from the filter. Empty the water and fill the pitcher with clean water. Repeat step no. 4. Do this along with this step as many times until the water is clean after you have blown air through your cartridge.

1) fill a large glass full of clean water.

2) Add 2 tablespoons of household beach and stir.

3) drop filter cartridge into the glass so that it is completely submerged.

4) let sit for 24 hours.

5) Remove the filter from the glass and wring the Fiber-Mesh by wrapping your hand around it and squeezing to remove as much of the excess water.

6) set out to dry for 24 to 48 hours in a warm, dry environment.