A Complete Guide to Installing and Maintaining a Household Reverse Osmosis Water Purifier Filter

With growing concern for drinking water safety, household reverse osmosis water purifier filters have become an essential option for improving water quality and protecting health. Reverse osmosis water purifiers effectively remove harmful substances from water, such as heavy metals, bacteria, viruses, and chlorine, providing cleaner, healthier drinking water. Despite their growing popularity, many people lack knowledge about their installation and routine maintenance.

How Reverse Osmosis Water Purifiers Work

Before delving into installation and maintenance, it's important to first understand how reverse osmosis water purifiers work. Reverse osmosis technology uses a semipermeable membrane to apply pressure to isolate dissolved salts, harmful substances, and microorganisms from tap water, filtering out most contaminants and producing clean water.

The pores of the reverse osmosis membrane are extremely fine, effectively blocking substances larger than water molecules. As water molecules pass through the membrane under pressure, contaminants are trapped, while purified water flows to the outlet. This process removes harmful substances such as bacteria, viruses, heavy metals, chlorides, pesticides, and ammonia nitrogen from the water, making it safer and purer.

Household Reverse Osmosis Water Purifier Filter Installation Steps

Reverse osmosis water purifier installation typically involves the following steps:

Choose a Suitable Location

When installing a reverse osmosis water purifier, you need to choose a suitable location. The ideal installation location should be near a water source (i.e., a faucet or water pipe) and well-ventilated for easy regular inspection and maintenance. RO water purifiers are typically installed under the kitchen sink or inside a cabinet.

When choosing a location, consider the following factors:

Access to the water source: Ensure that the water inlet line to the water purifier is unrestricted.

Power Supply: Some RO water purifiers require a power source, so make sure there is an outlet nearby.

Drainage: The reverse osmosis process generates wastewater, so consider wastewater drainage during installation.

Connecting to the Water Source and Wastewater Drain

During installation, you first need to connect the water supply piping. The RO water purifier's water inlet hose is typically connected to a faucet or the inlet end of a water pipe. Installation instructions may vary depending on the model of the RO water purifier; please refer to the product manual for specific instructions.

Connecting the wastewater pipe is another critical step during installation. Since reverse osmosis water purifiers generate a certain amount of wastewater, it is important to ensure that the wastewater pipe is properly connected to the sewer during installation to prevent water contamination or leaks.

Installing the Purified Water Tap

Most reverse osmosis water purifiers come with a separate purified water tap for dispensing purified water. This tap should be installed above the sink for easy access to purified water.

During installation, first drill a hole in the sink and connect the purified water tap to the RO water purifier's outlet.

Checking Connections and Equipment Condition

After completing all pipe connections, check that all connections on the equipment are securely installed to prevent leaks. Turn on the water supply and check the system's operating status to ensure that the inlet, outlet, and wastewater pipes are unobstructed. You can then start the system and run it for a few minutes to ensure that all functions are functioning properly.

Daily Maintenance of Household Reverse Osmosis Water Purifier Filters

Regular maintenance and care are essential to ensure the long-term and stable operation of your reverse osmosis water purifier. The following are some key maintenance steps and precautions:

Regularly Replace the Filter Cartridge

The core component of a reverse osmosis water purifier is the filter cartridge system. Depending on the water quality, the filter cartridge's lifespan generally ranges from six months to two years. Common filter cartridges include:

Pre-filter: Mainly removes large particles, sediment, chlorine, and other impurities from the water.

Reverse Osmosis Membrane: The core filtration component, removing heavy metals, bacteria, viruses, and other contaminants from the water.

Post-treatment filter: Improves water quality and removes residual odors.

Generally speaking, the pre-filter cartridge needs to be replaced every six months, while the reverse osmosis membrane and post-treatment filter cartridge have longer replacement intervals, typically one to two years. If the filter element reaches the end of its lifespan and is not replaced promptly, its filtration efficiency will be significantly reduced, and may even cause equipment failure.

Regularly Clean the Reverse Osmosis Membrane

Over time, the reverse osmosis membrane will gradually become clogged by impurities in the water, potentially reducing its filtration efficiency. Cleaning the reverse osmosis membrane can effectively extend its lifespan. Generally, it can be cleaned annually.

When cleaning, use a dedicated reverse osmosis membrane cleaning solution and follow the product instructions. Care must be taken during the cleaning process to avoid damaging the membrane surface.

Check Water Quality

Regularly checking the water quality of the water purifier is an important step in ensuring water safety. You can purchase a water quality tester to regularly test the TDS (total dissolved solids) level in the water. If the TDS value exceeds the standard, it may indicate a malfunction of the RO membrane or a failure of the filter element, requiring prompt replacement.

Check Pipe Connections and Wastewater Discharge

Check all pipe connections for loose connections or leaks. If you discover a leak, immediately shut off the water supply and inspect the leak. Additionally, clean the wastewater drain pipe regularly to prevent blockage and ensure smooth drainage.

Regular Exterior Cleaning

The exterior of the water purifier also requires regular cleaning to maintain its appearance and functionality. Use a damp cloth to wipe the surface to prevent dust and dirt from accumulating. Avoid using strong acidic or alkaline cleaning agents to prevent damage.

How to Extend the Lifespan of a Reverse Osmosis Water Purifier?

In addition to routine maintenance, the following points should be noted to extend the lifespan of a reverse osmosis water purifier:

Avoid prolonged periods of non-use: If the RO water purifier is not in use for an extended period, it is recommended to shut off the water supply and drain the water inside the unit to prevent changes in water quality that could damage the unit components.

Avoid excessive or low water pressure: Reverse osmosis water purifiers have strict water pressure requirements. Excessively high or low water pressure can affect normal operation and even damage the unit. Therefore, ensure that the water pressure meets the requirements during installation. Avoid dirty water sources: If the tap water quality at home is poor, you should choose a high-quality reverse osmosis water purifier and clean and replace the filter element regularly.