Reverse Osmosis Maintenance

If properly maintained, a high-quality reverse osmosis drinking water system can last for many years. We’ve been in the water business for 20 plus years and have seen many under-sink reverse osmosis driking water systems last 10 to 15 years.

You can hire a local water treatment professional to clean and sanitize your RO system once a year or do the job yourself.

DIY Reverse Osmosis System Sanitizing Tips

• • If sanitizing system when new filters will be installed, all new filters should remain in original packaging until it is time for replacement.
  • Ensure the service area is free of excess dirt or dust.
  • Wash hands with soap and water, and/or wear sanitary gloves.

If sanitizing yourself, you’ll want to consult your RO system owner’s manual for specific details on how to sanitize your system. Below, we provide general instructions for the RO sanitizing process. More thorough RO sanitizing information is available HERE.

Regular filter changes are the most important aspect of maintaining your RO water filter system. Refer to the filter replacement schedule in your RO system’s owner’s manual. Regular maintenance will help keep your system working for many years and ensure your household has clean, healthy water to drink.

Generally, Reverse Osmosis filters should be replaced every 6-12 months, depending on local water conditions and household usage.

Not sure what filters you need for your RO drinking water system? Simply search by your system brand and model, and we'll recommend a filter kit.

Failure to change out filters per their replacement schedule can not only cause damage to the system but will also cause a decrease in water production. Thus, if you notice a decrease in water flow from your RO faucet, that may be an indication that your filters have reached the end of their life span.

Your sediment filter should be changed out every 6-12 months. This pre-filter stage is designed to strain out sediment, silt and dirt. This is especially important as the sediment filter protects dirt from getting to the delicate  RO membranes. If you fail to change this filter on schedule, dirt and silt can reach the RO membranes which can then easily become clogged and foul. The RO membrane is the most expensive filter in the RO system, so it's important to protect it.

Learn more about sediment filters in an RO system.

The carbon filter is designed to filter lead, pesticides, chlorine and many other contaminants that affect the performance and life of the RO membrane as well as the taste and odor of your water.

An RO system usually includes both a granular activated carbon (GAC) filter as well as a carbon block filter. Both types of carbon have excellent adsorption capabilities. Both the carbon block filter and the polishing filter (GAC filter) should be replaced every 6-12 months. The lifespan of a carbon filter will vary depending on water conditions. Carbon quality, humidity and usage can also factor into how long a carbon filter can last. Review a list of what contaminants carbon filters can remove.

Learn more about carbon filters in an RO water filter system.

If you take care to replace the previous sediment and carbon filters on schedule, the RO membrane should only need to be replaced every two years. Of course, the schedule will vary based on the quality of your water and household water usage.

The RO membrane is a semipermeable filter in your RO system that is designed to allow water through, but filter out almost all additional contaminants.

In a four-stage RO System, a final post filter will “polish” off the water to remove any remaining taste and odor in the water. This final filter is a GAC (granular activated carbon) filter mentioned above. The GAC filter ensures you’ll have outstanding drinking water.