Reverse Osmosis Storage Tank Maintenance

Notice a drop in performance of your RO system? Find out how to check if your storage tank has a problem. We’ve got the solution too!

A reverse osmosis system can lose performance over time. If you notice a drop in water pressure then this usually indicates that it’s time to change the filters or reverse osmosis membrane. However, if the water delivery is still low then this would indicate a problem with the storage tank. The storage tanks use a tire valve stem similar to those used in the tires on your car. Over time this can cause the air cushion to lose air which means the system can’t push as much water out as it wants to. Therefore, if the air pressure is too low, the system cannot produce as much water as it should.

Luckily, this isn’t a huge problem. If you think you might have a problem with the pressure of your storage tank, all you need is a low pressure tire gauge to fix it. These can be bought on Amazon at little cost. You can find one here. Note that it must be a low pressure gauge and not a regular one.

Instructions

1. First you must turn off the water supply to the system. Then turn off the valve at the top of the storage tank.
2. Next, disconnect the tubing from the valve of the tank.
3. Empty the tank of all water.
4. Check the pressure of the tank using the tire gauge.
5. Change the air pressure to the manufacturer’s recommended level. You can even use a bicycle pump to do this.

When the system is put back together and the tank filled with water again you should measure the air pressure once more. After a day or two check the pressure again. If the pressure remains constant then your work has been successful. If the tank loses pressure again then there is either a problem with the valve core (which can be replaced), or the tank itself must be replaced.

If you’re still having problems then get in contact and we’ll do our best to help.

If you would like to know more about reverse osmosis water filters, we offer a variety of helpful resources:

RO Buyer’s Guide

RO History

RO Anatomy

We’d really appreciate it if you’d ‘like’ our social media pages. We regularly post articles about water pollution, and the environment, and of course all that’s new in the water filter world. There are links to our Facebook, Twitter, Google+, and Pinterest pages right at the top of the page.

Image Source: Pacific Water