Maintaining your Reverse Osmosis System

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Reverse osmosis system maintenance consists of nothing more than filter and membrane replacement on a routine schedule.  We recommend the following replacement intervals
       
  Sediment Filter 6 months  
  Charcoal Prefilter 12 months  
  RO Membranes 24 months  
  Polishing Filter 24 Months  
 
The procedure is as follows (this assumes you're replacing all of the components at once):
 
  1. Turn off the water supply to the system (usually a saddle valve on the cold water pipe).
  2. Open the spigot or valve to relieve the pressure in the tank.
  3. Using the filter wrench, unscrew the sediment filter housing (turn the case right-to-left, as you face it from the front).
  4. Remove the filter and throw it away.
  5. Remove the O-ring and clean it with a paper towel.
  6. Rinse the filter housing thoroughly to removed any solids that may be stuck to the walls.
  7. Lubricate the O-ring with a water-soluble lubricant (K-Y Jelly works!), and place it back in the groove in the housing.
  8. Place the new filter in the housing, and holding it vertically, screw it into place, and tighten with the wrench.
  9. Remove the charcoal filter, and follow the same procedure, but with one addition:
  10. Before installing the new charcoal prefilter, rinse it thoroughly with cold water to remove the fine dust that forms during manufacturing and transportation
  11. Pull the membrane holder from the clips that hold it in place.
  12. Disconnect the inlet water line.
  13. Unscrew that end of the case, remove and dispose the old membrane.  You may need to grab the membrane with pliers to do that; they fit pretty snug in the case.
  14. Remove the new membrane from its bag, lubricate the O-rings and outer seal with water-soluble lubricant, and insert it into the case.
  15. Replace the cap and reconnect the water line.
  16. Remove the old inline charcoal "polishing" filter and dispose.
  17. Replace with a new one that has been rinsed in the sink to get rid of the charcoal dust.
  18. Turn on the water supply to the system and check for leaks, tightening as needed.
  19. DO NOT close the spigot or outlet valve, and do not use the first several gallons of water produced, as it may contain biocide and preservatives used to keep the membrane fresh in storage.
  20. After approximately 3- to 5 gallons of permeate flow (not the flush water) has passed through the system, close the valve or spigot and let the system pressurize, and check for leaks.

Maintaining your "Bare Bones" Reverse Osmosis System
The concept is the same as for the full, four-stage units - simply component replacement..
       
  Inline Sediment Filter 6 months  
  RO Membrane 18 months  
       
The procedure below assumes you're at the 24-month point, and are replacing both components:
 
  1. Unit must be disconnected from hose bib (or at least the water turned off).
  2. Remove the tubing from the quick-connects on the inline sediment filter by depressing the quick-connect collet uniformly flat against its housing.
  3. Pull the filter from the clip that hold it to the RO membrane housing and dispose.
  4. Unscrew the inlet end of the RO membrane case, remove and dispose the old membrane.  You may need to grab the membrane with pliers to do that; they fit pretty snug in the case.
  5. Remove the new membrane from its bag, lubricate the O-rings and outer seal with water-soluble lubricant, and insert it into the case.
  6. Replace the cap.
  7. Snap a new inline sediment filter into the clips, being sure the flow direction is as indicated on the case.
  8. Reconnect the hoses, pushing them fully into the quick-connects.
  9. Reconnect to- and/or turn on the water supply, and allow 3- to 5 gallons of permeate flow (not just flush water) to purge the system before use.

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