RO Filter System: The Ultimate Maintenance Guide
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Taking
proper care of your reverse osmosis system will mean the difference between a
long-lasting household aid and having to replace the filter more often than
your wallet would like. The entire process is not complicated, but in order to
maintain your filtering system and make it last for ten or fifteen years, you
will need to follow a few guidelines. Let’s take a look at what kind of care
will make your RO system last for a long time.
Filter replacement
Different types
of filters should be replaced at different intervals and you can easily stay on
track of your filter status by checking the manufacturer’s manual and replacing
it accordingly. The reverse osmosis membrane is meant to eliminate all contaminants from the water and it only needs replacement after
two or three years of use, although it will mostly depend on the amount of
water consumption and water quality.
Generally
speaking, you should replace your carbon filter every twelve months. It is
designed to eliminate contaminants as well as chlorine that can affect the
longevity of your reverse osmosis system. Additionally, it eliminates the
unpleasant taste and odour usually present in water treated with additives.
A sediment
filter also requires annual replacement and is designed to stop sediment, dirt
and other debris from contaminating delicate membranes of your reverse osmosis
system. Make sure to avoid damaging your RO system by changing the filter on
time and per the manufacturer’s instructions.
A polishing
filter in a four-stage reverse osmosis system serves as a final polishing stage
where the water will go through one final cleaning process that will remove bad taste and odour, delivering water that is
completely safe for consumption. If you don’t change the filter in time, you
will cause damage to the system and also cause decreased water production. Therefore,
pay attention to the water flow and if you notice that the flow is weaker than
usual, it means that your filters are due for replacement.
Cleaning and maintenance
You should thoroughly clean
your RO system when changing the filters. Top-of-the-line units, as the Clear Choice Water Filters reverse
osmosis system, should
be sanitized and recharged in order to ensure its peak performance in the years
to come.
First of
all, the main valve needs to be shut off and drained all of the water from the RO
system. Next, you want the carbon and the sediment filters remove from their
housing along with the RO membrane. The filters should remain out of the
housing but you should screw the housing back in its place and then pour one
cup of hydrogen-peroxide into the first stage housing.
Then, all connections should be re-attached and turned on the valve allowing the systems to
run for at least two cycles. You can then shut off the main valve again and
have new filters installed, after which you should let the tank fill back up and
then drain it one more time.
How to handle hard water
Note that
the reverse osmosis system cannot handle water hardened by minerals such as calcium and
magnesium, as they
can clog and damage it, so you need to use a water softener if you have hard
water in your home. The softener will address the problem by eliminating the
hardening elements from the water prior to it reaching the RO system. In turn,
the RO system will clean the water of any residual salt from the softening
process, providing you with completely clean and healthy water.
The reverse
osmosis system presents a premium solution for home and office water
filtration, delivering healthy, fresh and delicious water. If you want your RO
system to last for years on end, make sure to follow these guidelines that will
guarantee that you and your loved ones are drink the best water possible.
About the Writer:
If
one thing is true about Lillian Connors, her mind is utterly curious. That’s
why she can’t resist the urge to embark on a myriad of green living/home
improvement projects and spread the word about them. She cherishes the notion
that sustainable housing and gardening will not only make us far less dependent
on others regarding the dwellings we inhabit, but also contribute to our planet
being a better place to live on. You can check her out on LinkedIn.
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