Simple Tips to Maintain Your Reverse Osmosis Filter Systems
Reverse osmosis filter systems or (ROs) are a great way to have clean and delicious drinking water at your home. An RO filter system offers superior protection against harmful water contaminants and impurities. This can prevent you from having health-related problems and can also improve the taste and smell of your water. However, the RO filter system will need to be maintained in order to maintain its amazing filtration performance and prevent any potential problems.
Your RO system is like a vehicle. Metaphorically it needs oil changes, tire rotations, alignment, brake pads replacements, and other maintenance to keep it running smoothly. If the vehicle is not maintained on a regular basis, it could develop costly mechanical problems that can lead to catastrophic failure. If your RO system is not properly maintained, it will lose its effectiveness over time. If this happens, your drinking water could become a breeding ground for harmful contaminants such as bacteria, pesticides, and PFAS chemicals.
We have some tips for maintaining your RO system, whether you already have one or are looking to invest in one.
What Is A Reverse Osmosis Filter?
An RO filter system uses a multi-stage, robust filtration process to remove various pollutants and impurities.
Here's how it works:
- Pre-filtration (Sediment filter): Before the feed water enters the RO system it is subject to pre-filtration. This protects the RO membrane from any materials that could clog it or cause damage. The sediment filtration stage is the first. This involves the removal of suspended particulate matter (dust, dirt, clay, etc.) from the water.
- Carbon Filtration (Carbon Pre-filtration): The second stage of pre-filtration involves carbon filtration. Carbon filtration removes chlorine, chloramines, and other substances that can "burn" holes in RO membranes and cause severe damage.
- RO Filtration The water is then filtered through the RO membrane at a pressure sufficient to overcome the osmotic pressure. The semipermeable barrier allows water molecules to pass through, leaving behind almost all dissolved contaminants. The water that passes through the RO membrane is known as the product water, or permeate. It usually has 95% to 99 percent of solid contaminants removed. The system filters the water and either flush out the pollutants or returns it to the system.
- Storage: The water is filtered and then flows to the storage tank. It is kept there until it is needed. The RO system will continue to filter water until it is full. After that, the RO system shuts down.
- After-filtration: When you turn on your water faucet, water is drawn from the storage tank through another filter to "polish" it before it flows to your appliances.
Reverse osmosis systems can provide many benefits for your home. They remove harmful pathogens from your water and also remove PFAS chemicals that can cause cancer. You need to know a few things about your RO system in order to keep it running smoothly and produce great-tasting water.
Why Is It Important To Maintain Your Reverse Osmosis Filter Systems
It is a significant investment so it is important to keep up with its maintenance. It is a large, silent system that filters your water. You don't have to do much except keep it clean at the recommended intervals. This will allow your family to be healthier and happier. You might be wondering why maintaining your RO system is so important.
Here are some benefits of taking care of your RO system.
- Maintains your RO system at its peak performance: If you want your RO system to continue producing high-quality water for many years, you need to maintain it regularly.
- Increases system life expectancy: A well-maintained RO system can be expected to last between 10 and 15 years. If you want to see that long-lasting service, you need to know what to do. However, the system's life expectancy can be affected by many factors even with good maintenance. These factors could include system design, load, temperature, and inlet pressure.
- Maintains water output The RO membrane is an essential component of any RO system. It is difficult to clean and expensive to replace. It is important to inspect your RO system for membrane problems such as fouling that reduces water output. The membrane's cleaning capabilities diminish and the system is rendered useless.
- Prevents mechanical damages: Water contaminants like iron, chlorine, and hardness minerals can cause scaling and fouling to the RO membrane and other components of the system. These unwanted outcomes can be prevented by proper maintenance and inspection.
- It saves time and money. Regular maintenance of your RO system will prevent costly, more expensive problems from occurring. It's likely that you would rather spend a small amount now to maintain your RO system than pay more in the future because you have neglected to take care of it.
Maintaining Your Reverse Osmosis System
You should be aware that it is important to maintain your RO system. If maintained correctly, a high-quality RO system like Pure Blue H2O’s reverse osmosis system can filter your water for many years.
These are some tips to keep your RO system in good shape and produce fresh, clean drinking water for your family.
You Can Change Your Filters At Any Time
Many RO systems include multiple filters. These filters include a sediment prefilter and a carbon prefilter. An RO membrane is also included. Each filter has a unique purpose, but they all work together to make high-quality water. These filters are vital for filtering the water you drink, cooking with, and making ice. It is important to replace them on time. The system will eventually stop producing water if it is not changed regularly. A drop in water production is usually an indication that your membrane and filters have outlived their useful life. It's important to keep up with RO filter replacement for your filters and membrane to be reminded and changed on a regular basis.
Prefilter Replacement
The first stage of a reverse osmosis water system process typically contains a sediment filter while the second stage uses the carbon block filter. The sediment filter prevents particulate matter from entering the membrane and clogging it. The RO membrane is protected by the carbon pre-filter. It reduces chlorine in the water source to prevent it from coming into contact. The RO membrane can be exposed to chlorine as we have mentioned. You will need to replace it quickly. Although we recommend replacing pre-filters every six months, you might need to replace them more frequently if your water consumption, chlorine levels, or sediment levels increase.
You won't have to replace the RO membrane as often if you take the time and change the pre-filters regularly. It's easy to replace them. You just need to twist them off and install new ones. The system will continue to provide exceptional service.
- Bring the cartridge's bottom to 45 degrees.
- To remove the filter, turn the cartridge counterclockwise with one hand.
- The used cartridge can be recycled or thrown out. To lock the cartridge, align the tabs (bayonets) of your new cartridge in the slots. Twist 1/4 turn clockwise to insert the cartridge. The cartridge should be placed vertically.
- Continue the previous steps with the next filter.
- Check for leaks by turning on the water supply.
- Before using, flush the system with 1 liter of water after you have replaced all cartridge filter stage cartridges.
- To maintain the system's longevity and ensure quality drinking water, it is important to replace the filter cartridge every so often.
The Pure Blue H2O’s Reverse Osmosis Replacement Filter, and Carbon Block Replacement Filter are excellent options for pre-filter replacement to keep your RO system running at its best.
RO Membrane Cleaning And Replacement
Semipermeable membranes are perhaps the most important component of reverse osmosis filter systems. The membrane has tiny holes that trap contaminants and allow water molecules to pass through. The membrane will need to be cleaned periodically, between one and four times per year depending on the water source.
If you notice a drop of around 15% in water pressure, it is time to clean your RO membrane. The membrane can be cleaned in place or removed from the system by a specialist in this type of service. Offsite membrane cleaning is more effective than onsite cleaning skids. To remove contaminants from membranes, the RO membrane cleaning process uses low and high pH cleaners. Low pH cleaners and organics can be used to treat scale. High pH cleaners can be used to treat biofouling and colloidal particles.
The Reverse osmosis filter systems membrane has a finite life span and will need replacement at some point. The schedule for replacing your RO membrane will vary depending on how hard your water is. Higher pH can cause pinhole leaks, and reduce the membrane's life expectancy. If you have city water pH 7.0-7.5, the membrane should be replaced every 6 to 12 months.