A reverse osmosis (RO) system uses layers of very fine filters to remove contaminants from the water. These contaminants range from pesticides to sodium, bacteria, and poisonous elements such as arsenic. Like every other system in your home, the reverse osmosis filter system needs proper maintenance. Here are some common mistakes when it comes to serving your RO system.
Not Treating Hard Water
The water in your area may be considered hard, which means it is full of calcium and magnesium ions. Though an RO system takes many elements out of the water, it may struggle to remove the ions that make water hard. Eventually, the membranes of the RO system become damaged and won’t work as well as they should.
Because of this, you should also have a water softener installed along with the reverse osmosis system. A water softener pulls calcium and magnesium from the freshwater that enters the house and replaces them with sodium ions. This makes the water much easier for the RO system to handle.
Not Considering Other Elements in the Water
As with calcium and magnesium, an overabundance of other elements in the freshwater can strain your reverse osmosis system and cause it to fail. These elements include chlorine and iron. Chlorine is used to shock private wells and disinfect water from municipal water works.
If there’s too much chlorine in the water, your water will have an unpleasant acidic taste and a fizzy texture. The pipes that bring water into the house may be made of cast iron. Water with too much iron in it tastes like metal and may even be rust-colored. Your plumber may need to add other components to your RO system to handle excess chlorine and iron.
Not Reading the Owner’s Manual
As with any other home system, you should read and understand the owner’s manual. The manual will tell you how often to have the system’s filters changed, what to do if the tank bladder leaks, if the water starts having an unusual taste, and how and when to check the pressure tank.
Trying to Fix the Problems Yourself
There are some tasks with your reverse osmosis system that a layperson can fix. These include changing dirty filters. Other problems that might best be left to a professional include leaks, a damaged storage tank bladder, damaged tubing, and low pressure.
Learn More About Your Reverse Osmosis System
Your reverse osmosis system needs proper maintenance and care to ensure your household has clean, safe water. If you’re interested in the benefits of reverse osmosis filters, give our professionals a call at Andy’s Plumbing in Ormond Beach, FL.
