How to Maintain Your Reverse Osmosis System

Reverse osmosis systems ensure your drinking water is clean and free of any harmful chemicals. Like any other appliance, it’s essential to maintain a reverse osmosis system to keep it operational. These systems are easy to maintain, and with Kinetico, they’re easy to install and energy-efficient.

What Is A Reverse Osmosis System?

A reverse osmosis system is a series of filters that removes chemicals and solids from your drinking water, turning it into soft water. Soft water is water that is free of metals and salts. With an RO system, your water will be free of:

• Pesticides
• Chemicals
• Sediments
• Pathogens
• Dissolved Solids

After the water has been filtered, it is contained in a storage tank. This is where you get the water that comes out of your faucet. It takes about one minute for the water to be filtered and emptied into the tank, producing around two to three ounces of soft water.

Different systems have different numbers of pre-filters and post-filters. Every system is the same in that it ensures your water is clean and safe to drink. 

Why Is It Important To Maintain?

It is important to maintain your RO system in order to keep it operating efficiently. An unmaintained system may experience internal damage or bacteria growth, and the system’s lifespan could be greatly reduced. There’s a possibility it could even reduce the amount of water filtered. A properly maintained system can last upwards of 10-20 years. 

Maintaining your system not only prolongs its lifespan but keeps it functioning and clean. This will save you time and money on replacement or repair costs. It will also give you peace of mind to know that your water is free of pathogens and chemicals. 

How Do I Maintain It?

Maintaining your RO system is easy, and can be done without needing to contact professionals. It all comes down to following your owner’s manual and knowing how your system operates. 

Change Filters on Schedule

Not all systems utilize the same number of filters, so it’s important to refer to your owner’s manual to know how many your system has. Despite their different purposes, each works in tandem to produce clean drinking water. If even one filter is dirty or damaged, the whole process could fail to work. 

Filters have different replacement timeframes. Common reverse osmosis system filters and their recommended replacement windows are as follows:

• Carbon Pre-filters—6-12 months
• Sediment Pre-filters—12 months
• RO Membranes—2-3 years
• Post-filters—6-12 months

Failure to change filters on time could result in decreased water output. It’s best to set a reminder to change your filters so that you don’t forget. 

Empty Storage Tank

The storage tank collects purified water so you can have immediate access to soft water whenever you wish. However, the water may not be as fresh when left for too long. As such, storage tanks should be completely drained every two weeks. This ensures the water in the tank is fresh and free of any lingering stale water that may have sat for too long. 

This water doesn’t have to be flushed down the drain. While it won’t be ideal for drinking, this excess purified water can be used to water gardens or houseplants. Whatever you decide to do with it, keep in mind that the tank may need time to refill after draining, so it’s best to empty it before heading out for the day. 

Clean Storage Tank

Sanitizing your storage tank is a proven way to remove any lingering bacteria that may have slipped in through the system. It should be cleaned every 12 months using unscented bleach or a sanitizer approved by the National Sanitation Foundation. 

The process of cleaning the storage tank is simple. After turning off the water supply, remove the RO membranes and filters. Then, depressurize the system and either use an NSF-approved sanitizer or two to three tablespoons of bleach. Let the water fill back up, and then flush it out two to three times. Finally, either reinstall or replace the membranes and filters. 

Contact The Experts

Installing a reverse osmosis system is a guaranteed way to produce clean drinking water. At Kinetico, we install environmentally friendly RO systems that will ensure as few chemicals as possible are in your water. Our systems are unmatched in clean water production and bacteria removal. Contact us today!