How To Replace Reverse Osmosis Filters?

If you want to take advantage of reverse osmosis systems in the coming years, you need to know how to change the filters. In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know about how to do this, including how often you need to adjust your filter.

In our series of reverse osmosis systems, we recommend changing the reverse osmosis filters once a year and replacing the reverse osmosis membrane every three years. This will verify that your entire reverse osmosis system is operating with maximum efficiency.

If you don’t, pollutants are still present in your drinking water. If you want drinking water that tastes fantastic, clean, and healthy, you need to regularly change the filters and membrane of your reverse osmosis system.

Why do We need To Replace Reverse Osmosis Filters?

For starters, filters collect deposits that can lead to blockages. As a result, filters can become ineffective or completely unusable. Another reason is that over time, several types of filters (especially carbon-based filters) lose their additive properties.

Therefore, it is important to replace filters and cartridges regularly. Depending on usage and “duty cycle”, time and frequency may vary. However, replacing the filters every 12 months is a good idea to be safe and secure.

If your filter has been in use for more than a year, it’s time for maintenance and replacement. This ensures that the performance of your home water treatment system is maximum.

The filters in your reverse osmosis system intend to trap silt and other impurities. While the majority of these particles are carried away, some are inevitably caught in the filter.

The filter will eventually become less effective than it should be. When this happens, the system becomes inefficient and fails to properly clean your water.

When You Should Replace Reverse Osmosis Filters?

In Phoenix, our reverse osmosis plants have four or five filtration stages. This is one of the reasons why they are so superior to other filtration methods such as distillation.

In the following, I have discussed all of the five different stages and how often we should replace RO system filters:

Carbon Pre-Filters:

You need to replace the Carbon pre-filters after every 6 to 12 months. This will help extend the life and quality of the membrane. Chlorine (which poses certain health risks), some particles, and volatile chemicals are all removed by carbon filters.

They also remove particles that could give your water an intimidating taste and smell. To ensure that the above dangerous particles are removed, you should change your carbon filter at least once a year.

Sediment Filters:

The sediment filters should be replaced every 6 to 12 months, or more often in places where the water is extremely turbid. These filters trap large particles such as soil and even pieces of calcification.

If you have a good water softener to trap most of the largest mineral deposits, you can change your sediment filter once a year.

If you don’t have a plasticizer, your sediment filter is likely to work harder than necessary because these filters aren’t designed to remove large amounts of minerals. As a result, you need to inspect it at least twice a year.

Carbon post-filters:

To ensure high water quality, replace this filter every 12 months. Do not wait until a problem with the taste appears.

Water shiner:

Water varnish doesn’t make your water shinier. Rather, it is about removing tiny particles and pollutants that you can find in very small quantities. Think of it as the necessary “finishing touch” that ensures your water is completely clean and drinkable.

Preparations Before Replacing Filter

Here I have some preparations and tools that you need for replacing the Reverse osmosis filter:

  1. Make sure you’re replacing the right filter cartridges. Find the perfect osmosis water filter for your home.
  2. The filter cartridges should keep in their original packing until the reverse osmosis system is ready to use.
  3. Before completing any of the service work, the person performing the replacement service should wash their hands with soap and water to avoid introducing bacteria into the system.
  4. An RO System Service Kit can make filter replacement easier and maintain your system running at its best.

Reverse Osmosis Filter Replacement

While each model is a little different, here are some general guidelines that apply to most RO devices:

  1. Wash your hands first as you don’t want to infect your new filters.
  2. Turn off the water at home.
  3. Close the valve on the storage tank.
  4. To pressurize the system and drain residual water, open the reverse osmosis valve. Turn off the faucet once the drop has stopped.
  5. Place a bowl on the system.
  6. Rotate the case of the pre-filters you want to replace clockwise to remove it. This may require the use of a filter wrench or a belt wrench. It’s also a good idea to have a towel on hand in case of spillage. To remove old filters, a bucket is useful.
  7. If necessary, clean the inside of the housing(s) with warm rinsing water. Use unscented household bleach or another acceptable disinfectant to disinfect your system. Then rinse thoroughly.
  8. Replace the pre-filter with the new one(s). Before putting the housings back on, check that all black rubber O-rings are in position and in good condition to avoid leaks – replace and/or lubricate them with silicone grease if necessary. Tighten the cases with a wrench if necessary, but be careful not to tighten too much!
  9. To replace the filter, insert the collet into the quick-connect fitting and pull out the hose. A rep at the opposite end. Remove the old cartridge and replace it with a new one (check the arrow for flow direction). Simply insert the hose into the fittings on each side to reconnect the filter. To establish a secure connection, retract the pipe.
  10. Reconnect the water supply.
  11. Open the valve on the RO tank.
  12. Rinse the system by opening the filtered water dispenser and running it for a few minutes.
  13. Check for leaks.
  14. Turn off the water and let the tank fill up.
  15. Discard 1 or 2 full water tanks before use if the secondary filter has been replaced. For starters, the faucet can produce discoloured water. There is no need to worry. Only carbon particles are removed, and after the first or second rinse, they should disappear.

Conclusion

Before you begin, be sure to read the product manual. It will most certainly include detailed instructions on how to replace the membrane of your particular device. The reverse osmosis membranes of the current generation usually last 3 to 5 years, if the profilers are replaced regularly. 

If you use well water and the contamination is particularly severe, you may need to replace the membrane every year or two.

Leave a Comment