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If you have bad quality in your residential area and in your water supply, there is a high chance that you are using some kind of water purification or filtration system to cater to the negative effects of the contaminated or impure water.
One of the ways you can filter your water and obtain clean drinking water is to use a reverse osmosis water purification system where pressure is applied to the unfiltered water, and it is forced to pass through a semipermeable layer which gets rid of most contaminants and impurities present in the water.
A reverse osmosis system is an overall great water purification system that is most affordable, and great for the health of the environment as well as humans. It is because there is no ion exchange or no chemical usage involved in the reverse osmosis system which is why water is cleaner and purer.
The RO purification system mostly comes with a water tank where the purified water can be stored but sometimes the tank can face issues such as low water pressure, slow performance of the water tank, reduced levels of water, etc.
This article provides a simple step guide so that you can easily pressurize your RO tank without any problems or difficulties.
Here’s an instructional video on how to pressurize a reverse osmosis water tank:
Here are some steps to follow in order to successfully pressurize a RO tank:
Perform a diagnosis
It is almost natural to detect low levels of water flow from the pressure tank as you turn your faucets on, and it takes more than 5 minutes to fill a small container or bucket. If you have doubts that your pressure tank has faced some defects, try reducing a bit of pressure from the air valve, that is how you will notice that if water splurges out, there is a possibility of a puncture in the pressure tank. Though if you notice no defects or changes and there is just air coming out then it’s just a matter of pressurising the tank again.
Steps to pressurize a RO tank
- First you need to disconnect the RO system and stop any connections of water flowing through it.
- Next step is to make sure there is no water left inside the RO tank so turn the valve and empty it up. Also, to avoid wastage of water, save it on the side for later use or just water the plants with it.
- The next crucial step is to locate the valve stem and remove any coverings from it to expose it. Locate the correct one, the other one is used to operate the air valve, do not engage with it. (It is connected to the RO membrane and is easy to identify as marked in the picture above)
- If you have a four-gallon water tank, the ideal pressure for it is around six to eight PSI, so use your pressure gauge to determine the correct pressure capacity of your tank. Make sure the pressure gauge is working correctly so that it gives you accurate results.
- In the case of the pressure tank having a PSI lower than six, you need to pump air back into the tank. You can use an air compressor or a bicycle air pump to fill up the tank until it reaches the ideal pressure (6-8 PSI)
- Just make sure to not over pump the tank with a lot of air and if you see the residue water coming out after re pressurizing, do not be scared, it is quite normal, just continue pumping the tank until the ideal PSI is achieved.
Purpose of a Reverse Osmosis Tank
The water tank that comes with a reverse osmosis system is basically a water reservoir that holds the purified water until it is supposed to be used. When the water pressure reaches the desired line, it automatically signals the RO system to produce another batch of purified water because that need has been fulfilled.
As shown in the picture above, the storage tank has 2 parts; a water reservoir and an air bladder pocket, the air bladder acts as a pressure pushing component that works when the household water faucets are turned on for use.
Usually, a reverse osmosis tank can run up to six to seven years which is why it is highly possible that the tank or the bladder can get defected in the process of over-using it. If you feel like your pressure tank is still new, check it for maintenance and air pressure. The ideal pressure in an empty storage tank should be around seven to ten PSI while in a full tank with water, it should be at least 40 PSI.
FAQS
What should I do to maintain my reverse osmosis system?
You should always make sure that the reverse osmosis filters are changed every year, check and regulate the RO membrane for any defects, and make sure to clean the water storage tank and always maintain the pressure once in a while.
How is the water obtained through RO better than any other source?
Because the reverse osmosis system does not use any additional water filters such as chemical cleaning or ion exchange, it makes it more effective and less costly. In addition, it is a great system for the whole environment. It eliminates most contaminants and even the taste and smell of chlorine from water which is a concern for most people.
Final Thoughts
Hopefully, this article solved all the mystery behind the pressurizing of a RO storage tank which as you can see is not that difficult. You just need to be more careful and attentive to the maintenance of your reverse osmosis system because you definitely use it for the long run. Make sure that your tank performs well because that will determine the flow of water supply in your house.