Is reverse osmosis system maintenance necessary?
Is reverse osmosis system maintenance necessary? Yes, and here is the reason in this article, which explains why care must be taken to carry out maintenance on its regular schedule.
In this article you will learn:
- Reverse osmosis system maintenance is essential for healthy water and the longevity of the system.
- Maintenance issues include low water pressure, bad tasting or smelling water, or the system running constantly.
- CareWater can help with regular maintenance and professional service.
If you have a reverse osmosis system, also called an RO system, you may be wondering if it needs maintenance. The answer is always yes! And we can help.
Without regular checks and cleaning procedures, a reverse osmosis system cannot do its job. It may also cause damage and additional expenses to your home.
Why is RO system maintenance necessary?
Staying on top of reverse osmosis system maintenance is essential to keeping it running. The various filters in the system go through regular wear as they filter out harmful and unwanted contaminants. Replacing filters regularly can help your RO system last a long time, even up to 10-15 years!
Replacing filters also keeps costs down. If they are not maintained, replacing filters and membranes can become expensive. Pre-filters in a reverse osmosis system protect sensitive membranes from sediment and chlorine. Any amount of chlorine that reaches your membrane will destroy it.
Typically, you should only replace the membrane if you change the pre-filters on schedule. If not, you will spend a lot of money replacing the membrane frequently. In addition, the system can also malfunction if the filters are not replaced. Replacing the entire system would be expensive.
Most importantly, repairing your reverse osmosis system will keep contaminants out of the water. Without regular care, contaminants will remain in your water that the system would normally filter out.
Why does well water need RO system maintenance
Well water is vulnerable to toxic contaminants and microorganisms because the water is not tested regularly. Unfortunately, well water does not receive any type of city or municipal water treatment.
Maintaining your RO system will ensure the water stays clean and healthy for your family. This is especially important for areas that use well water systems for their homes. By replacing filters annually, you can avoid health risks such as:
- Diarrhea
- Stomach cramps
- Nausea
- Vomiting
These symptoms are usually caused by minerals such as iron bacteria or coliform bacteria commonly found in well water systems.
Why City Water Needs RO System Maintenance
Unfortunately, your city cannot fully protect the water and keep it clean. Problems such as lead and chromium 6 contamination are widespread. Therefore, you should maintain your RO system to avoid contaminants and harmful chemicals.
Because contaminants in water may lead to the following health problems:
- Kidney damage
- Liver damage
- Heart defects
- Cancer
You don’t want any problems like this for your family. So, it’s important to stay on top of your RO system maintenance and watch out for any signs that it might have problems.
What are the signs that reverse osmosis needs maintenance?
There are three big signs that your reverse osmosis system is struggling and needs attention:
- Low water pressure
- Bad taste or smell of water
- Or your reverse osmosis system is always on.
These signs should be easy to spot. All you have to do is keep track of your RO system.
Low water pressure
Low water pressure is an annoying problem, especially when it takes a long time to get a glass of water to drink. When you get low water pressure, it may be because your reverse osmosis system is not producing enough water.
In this case, it usually means that your filters are not doing their job and are clogging up the system. You can also think of it like how your dryer works. If the lint filter is not changed, your clothes will not dry. In the same way, if your water pressure is low, it means it is time to change your reverse osmosis filters.
Bad taste or smell in the water
There are many different tastes and odors that you can find in your water, but all of them will tell you that your reverse osmosis system needs maintenance.
If you smell chlorine in your water, this is a sign that you need to change the filters and membrane in your reverse osmosis system. Any chlorine that reaches the membrane will damage it immediately.
Additionally, a metallic smell in the water, rotten eggs, or foul-smelling water may mean your system is not working properly. The metallic smell comes from minerals in the water, such as iron, copper, zinc, lead, or other metals. The bad odor comes from bacteria growing in your system. Unfortunately, both can make you sick.
The RO system is always running
Another common sign that your reverse osmosis system is not working properly is that it is always on. This usually means that your membrane is not in good condition and something needs to be replaced. If your membrane is not in good condition, it means your filters are not in good condition either.
This is a big sign that you need to perform maintenance on your RO system as soon as possible. With it running constantly, it can accelerate regular wear and damage the entire system.
How often should a reverse osmosis system be maintained?
There are many filters involved in a reverse osmosis system. Each one is designed to remove different impurities and improve the water quality in your home.
Most filters in your system need to be replaced at least every 3 to 12 months. Depending on the system, you can have 3 to 5 filters. Additionally, you should disinfect your RO system at least once a year.
Therefore, we recommend that you service your reverse osmosis system at least annually.
