Wednesday, April 30, 2014

How to install a Reverse Osmosis system?

After going through the various water filtration/purification systems available in the market, you have finally decided that Reverse Osmosis is the best option for you. RO systems, once purchased, generaly allow a DIY (Do It Yourself) type of installation. Some people feel that installing such a high-tech system may not be an easy task, and refrain from installing it themselves and opt for a professional service. Through this article, I want to convince you that installing an RO system yourself is a fairly simple job, and you CAN do it yourself. Apart from saving money that would otherwise be spent on a professional service, there are couple of other advantages of installing your RO system, yourself. First, while installing the system, you will get a good understanding of how the system works – this will make you familiar with the operation of the system. Secondly, you will be better able to maintain the system yourself; thus, if at some point of time you think that the water output from the system has slowed down a bit, you do not have to call a plumber, but try to gain an understanding about which of the various filters is getting blocked, and simply buy that filter, and replace it yourself! Isn’t that cool!!!

Here are the steps towards installing your RO system. This article is focused on the installation of an “under the sink” RO system. The steps and the tools required will be broadly similar for other types of RO systems as well.

1. Tools required: the regular tools used for plumbing such as a screw driver, a wrench, a knife, a drilling machine with various sizes of drill bits, and Teflon tape are required for installing an RO system. Gather them all, and have them ready at one place before starting your work.

2. Carefully read the instruction manual that comes with the RO system. If required, do go through it twice to make sure that you’ve understood it entirely.

3. Remove all items from under the sink, and put them in an alternate place.

4. Remove the RO system from the packing; check that all items are there and no parts are missing. Generally, all the filters will be pre-assembled, except the RO membrane itself, which will be separately sealed. Do not remove the RO filter from its sealed package until you are ready to install the system.

5. Select a location for the RO faucet on your sink. Ensure that there is enough space under the sink before you drill the hole.


6. Drill a hole at the selected location, and install and tighten the faucet. Be sure that the faucet is thoroughly secured and tightened before going any further, because once you have installed the complete system, accessing the faucet from under the sink will become a difficult task. Once the faucet is firmly in place, connect the plastic water line to the faucet, and tighten it firmly.

7. Turn off the cold water supply valve that will be used by the system, and connect the saddle valve, per instructions given in the manual.

8. For waste water line: drill a hole in the drain pipe (be sure about the size of drill bit required for each type of drilling – always cross check from the instruction manual before beginning your drilling exercise). Install the valve provided with the system on top of the hole. Install the plastic drain line into the fitting on the valve, and tighten securely.

9. Assemble all tee and elbow fittings per instruction.

10. Choose the locations for placing the bank of filters and the water storage tank under the sink. Ensure that there is easy access, so that it is easy for you to replace the filters or clean the water storage tank whenever required.

11. Place the bank of filters and the storage tank, and connect the water lines, per instruction.

12. Check the system with the line diagram in the instruction manual, and slowly turn on the cold water supply to halfway position. Also turn on the RO faucet to allow for an open system. Look for leaks across the water lines. Leaks are very common at this stage, and be prepared with towels or sponge. Identify the exact locations where leakage is happening, close the water inlet supply, and tighten the water lines. Try again until all leakage is eliminated.

13. Close the RO faucet and let the storage tank fill.

14. Remember to flush out all the water after the first fill of the storage tank. This helps to get rid of any impurities in the storage tank, and also across the water line.

15. Your RO system is ready, and you have safe, pure drinking water readily available in your kitchen.

Sounds interesting and inspiring? Get an RO system for your home, and experience the benefits yourself.

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