Reverse Osmosis system Troubleshooting: Fix 7 Common Problems

Reverse osmosis systems are crucial for treating wastewater and ensuring drinking water is clean and safe. However, being machines, they can experience some faults. Common reverse osmosis system problems arise because of a lack of scheduled maintenance, loose connections, unstable pressure in the RO tank, and glitches with the system’s valves. In this post, we’ll explain the causes and solutions of various common RO system problems.

How Does the RO System Work?

Osmosis is a process through which water flows from a less concentrated solution to a more concentrated solution. This creates an osmotic pressure. Reverse osmosis is the opposite of this process used to treat wastewater.

In a reverse osmosis system, a pressure higher than the osmotic pressure is given to a more concentrated solution. This solution is then made to flow via a semipermeable RO membrane. This membrane, which has tiny pores, allows the passage of water and eliminates all solids, no matter how small they are. Thus, the water that comes through the RO’s membrane is desalinated and free from impurities.

Causes and Fixes for RO System Problems

A reverse osmosis system consists of filters, membranes, valves, fittings, storage tanks, and feed pressure. Any issues with these components hinder the proper working of the RO system and lead to various problems.

1. Low Water Pressure or Flow

A slow water pressure and flow rate typically indicates an obstruction inside the RO system. Here are its causes and solutions.

Causes for Low Water Pressure

• Clogged and fouled RO membrane
• Ruptured air bladder in the storage tank
• Clogged carbon block, sediment, and GAC polishing filters
• Kinks and pinches in the water line
• Low pressure within the reverse osmosis system tank
• Temporary loss of RO water pressure

Troubleshooting for Low Water Pressure

1. Check if the membrane is clogged. Remove the drain flow restrictor and let the water flow for 10 minutes. It will flush the membrane.
2. If the membrane has not been replaced in a year, remove it and all other filters and sanitize the RO system. After that, replace the membrane and filters.
3. Check if the air bladder is ruptured. Try to fill the air using an air compressor. If you cannot charge and maintain six psi air, replace the storage tank.
4. Check if there are kinks in the water line. While doing so, keep the water supply line valve open.
5. Finally, ensure that the water pressure in your facility is between 40-60 psi. If not, use a booster pump to bring the pressure to the required level.

2. Bad Taste of Water

A high concentration of chemicals and organic matter in water makes it taste bad. The water can have sulfur, chlorine, or metallic taste.

Causes for Bad Tasting Water from RO

• Increased levels of carbon dioxide in the RO water make its taste bitter.
• High levels of hydrogen sulfide or methane in the water make it taste like rotten eggs.
• A high chlorine concentration makes the water taste acidic or ‘fuzzy.’
• If the life of the RO system’s filters has expired, water will taste tart. Another reason is the organic matter, like tannins, in large quantities.
• RO water with high TDS (total dissolved solids) tastes bitter.
• Other potential causes of bad tasting water include bacterial accumulation in the RO system, membranes damaged by impurities, dirty filters, and too high or low water pressure.

Troubleshooting for Bad Tasting Water

1. Check the membrane, and if it is clogged or dirty, replace it.
2. Sanitize the tank if you have not done so in the past six months.
3. Drain the RO system if you have not used it for over five days.
4. Chlorine bleach removes moderate to high levels of hydrogen sulfide in water. Also, clean the filters.
5. Carbon block filters remove 98% of chlorine and its byproducts from RO systems.
6. Use high-quality water filters to remove bad taste and odor from water. Ampac USA’s counter top water filter removes chlorine taste and organics from water and reduces metal and lead.
7. Schedule professional maintenance of the RO system.

3. RO System Leaking

A reverse osmosis system can develop various types of leaks. Some common sites for leaks are filter connections or housings, air gap faucets, pipe connections, feed water adapters, and storage tanks. RO system problems related to leakage has specific causes according to the site of the leak.

Causes for RO System Leaks

• Loose fittings, reused, worn-out O-rings, and damage to the housing cause leaks in filter housings. Common signs include low water pressure, dripping water from the faucet, and moisture build-up.
• Improper installation of the RO system or high levels of contaminants in feed water cause air gap leaks. It obstructs the water’s flow, and it pours from the air gap hole.
• Loose fittings or worn-out tubings and damaged fittings cause leakages in pipe connections. Common signs include spots of water on the floor and a hissing sound near the pipes.
• A change of membranes or faulty O-ring seal leads to membrane housing leaks.
• A leak in the feed water adapter, the part that connects the main water supply to the reverse osmosis system, is due to loose connections, damaged cross-threaded fittings, and O-rings.
• Damaged bladder or incorrect fittings connecting to the RO system lead to storage tank leaks.

Other common causes for RO system leaks include improper installation of the water filter, unstable water pressure, and poor water quality.

Troubleshoot RO System Leaks

1. Ensure that the O-rings are properly lubricated and placed where they need to be.
2. Inspect for damage or cracks in pre-filter or membrane housings. Replace the housings if you detect damage.
3. Inspect the different parts of the faucet, like washers and gaskets. If they are worn out, replace them.
4. Try to fill the air in the storage tank bladder. If you cannot maintain six psi air, replace the tank.
5. The tubing should be pushed entirely into the fitting for a proper seal. If it is scratched, it cannot be sealed, so you must replace it.
6. Schedule inspections for wear and tear on gaskets and O-rings for leak prevention.

4. Noisy Drain or Faucet

One of the typical RO system problems is noise. Some people hear a humming noise, while others complain of a noisy gurgle. A hissing RO unit is another related problem. It’s perfectly normal to hear these sounds, but if they intensify, that’s when you should conduct RO troubleshooting.

Causes of Noisy Drain or Faucet

• The RO system makes noise when it is newly installed because of trapped air in the drain line or the check valve.
• A drain line that is too long or has an upward loop traps air and causes noise.
• Too low or high water pressure makes the RO system start repeatedly and make a noise.
• An issue with the contact of the high-voltage switch in the RO makes the water inlet valve start continuously, leading to continuous noise.
• Low water pressure in the supply line or disrupted water supply leads to noise because the RO purifier needs to be pressurized to push water through the membrane.
• Clogged filters and membranes obstruct water flow and lead to pressure build-up with the RO system, which causes noise.

Troubleshoot Noisy Drain or Faucet

1. Check the waterlines and ensure that it is free of damage.
2. Relieve the air bubbles from the check valve by allowing water to pour through from the RO spigot.
3. Replace worn-out filters and damaged parts like adapters, fittings, and valves.
4. Replace clogged filters ad membranes or schedule their maintenance.
5. Ensure that the placement of the RO purifier is stable.
6. Invest in high-quality reverse osmosis systems designed with advanced technology that operate efficiently and quietly.

5. RO Storage Tank Not Filling Up

It’s a serious problem when the Reverse Osmosis storage tank does not fill up. It happens because of various reasons, but with a few checks, you can correct the issue.

Causes of RO Tank Not Filling

• Low water pressure in your home (below 40 psi)
• Clogged water supply valve
• A too-high or low pressure inside the RO tank.
• A ruptured tank bladder prevents the tank from holding water pressure
• Clogged pre and post-filters and flow restrictor
• The GPD (gallons per day) rate of your RO system is below 50 GPD

Troubleshooting RO Storage Tank Not Filling Up

1. Check whether the water pressure is low in every faucet in your house. If yes, it’s a temporary problem that will resolve itself.
2. Ensure that the water supply valve is not clogged or partially open. It should be fully open.
3. Drain out all the water in the RO tank and inspect its pressure. Repressurize if the pressure is too low until it gets to 7 or 8 psi.
4. Replace the storage tank if the tank bladder has been ruptured.
5. Clean or change the carbon and sediment filters and the membrane
6. Use a reverse osmosis system with a high water production rate, ranging from 100GPD to 1200 GPD.

6. Continuous Draining of the RO System

Continuous or sporadic draining is one of the frequent reverse osmosis system problems that signals a glitch in the valves, clogging, or pressure issues in the tank. Sometimes, this problem persists even after you change the filters and membranes. Here’s what you should know about it.

Causes of RO System Continuously Draining

• A fault with the ASO or check valve makes the water continuously pass through the system.
• A missing or malfunctioning flow restrictor makes water constantly run to the drain.
• Clogged filers and membranes prevent the RO from working optimally.
• Unstable pressure in the tank

Troubleshooting Continuous Water Drainage

1. Check that the residential water pressure is not below 40 psi. This level of pressure is crucial for the check valve to shut off and prevent water from draining.
2. Ensure that the RO membrane and filters are in good condition.
3. Inspect the pressure in the storage tank. If it’s below 7 to 8 psi, add air. If the pressure is too high, release some air.
4. Draw two or three glasses of water from the faucet and then shut off the ball valve. It will simulate the tank being full.
5. Wait for five minutes to allow the water to shut off. If it shuts off, it means that the ASO and check valves are working correctly.
6. If the water does not shut off, it means that either the ASO or check valve is faulty.
7. Now, to inspect the fault in the valves, shut off the water flowing to the reverse osmosis system.
8. Check the black drain line for any water draining out from it. If yes, it is coming from the storage tank, indicating a broken check valve.
9. If water does not flow from the drain line, it indicates a defective ASO valve. Replace the ASO valve, and while doing so, ensure that you replace the hoses carefully.
10. Finally, tighten all the loose connections and replace damaged parts.

7. Milky and Cloudy Water

Milky or cloudy water is often considered one of the common RO system problems. However, it is not a grave issue because the water’s quality is not impacted. The issue only demands your attention when it’s because of a high TDS.

Causes of Milky and Cloudy RO Water

• Air trapped in the RO system.
• A filter replacement has introduced air into the water source.
• Insufficient filtration because of low water pressure makes the water cloudy.
• A high level of TDS prevents effective filtration and makes water milky with impurities.

Troubleshooting Cloudy RO Water

1. Remove air from the RO by tilting it to the right and letting water pour out of it. Do this at least three times to remove air and then check the water’s color.
2. Ensure that the water pressure in your facility or house is not less than 40 psi. This facilitates effective filtration.
3. Use a TDS meter to inspect the level of TDS in the RO-filtered water. If the TDS level is high, your RO’s filters are not working optimally to remove it.
4. Look for RO systems that use RO+UV/UF with a TDS Controller. The different technologies remove dissolved impurities and make water ideal for consumption.

Conclusion

Reverse osmosis system problems can be frustrating, especially when you are not sure of the source of the problem. But after reading this post, you’ll gain a basic knowledge of how to troubleshoot common issues effectively. If you want to ensure efficient operation, invest in a high-quality RO system equipped with advanced filtration technologies. Also, ensure to schedule regular maintenance. Sanitize the RO system annually and change its filters every 6 to 12 months. A well-maintained system will easily last you for 15 years without many problems.