Nowadays buying a water purifier isn’t enough, you have to maintain the same properly and make sure that detrimental contaminants don’t pollute the drinking water. One of the most crucial aspects of maintaining water purification system is to change the filter on a constant basis. I am sure you must be thinking about changing the filter but how soon you must change the same is the where the query lies for most of the users. We understand your concern and here’s why we’ve come up with this topic so that all your queries get addressed and you get all the right information you always wanted.

As we know, a Water purifier is the best defense system, filtering out the detrimental harmful containments from polluting your drinking water. Here’s why it’s crucial to maintain and change the smart RO filter on time.  

However, it is recommended to change your carbon, sediment and DI cartridges every 6 to 8 months and RO membrane every two years.  It could be a good recommendation and deceptive at the same time. The cartridges get depleted depending upon the level of impurities present in the water supply. And, it also depends on the quantity of water used by RO purifier.

If you tend to use cartridges more it’s likely to get used up in less than three months. And, if you don’t change the same the filter gets saturated by contaminants and they will pass on dirt into the water if not changed on time. Eventually, it causes a lot of health problems.

Let’s talk a bit about the technology before delving deep into the details. To begin with, Reverse osmosis (RO) is one of the most current technologies to decontaminate water which has high TDS levels of more than 500 ppm. It is a separation technology where liquefied impurities in water are unglued by way of a semi-permeable membrane (RO membrane) which works under high pressure. Per se, the RO water purification system can be used for both – home as well as for commercial purposes. Constituents of melted solids and impurities (TDS) are calcium and magnesium salts, nitrates, iron, lead, fluorides, arsenic etc. Such melted scums are typically found in groundwater, i.e water that is drawn from underneath the surface of the earth. In metropolises, groundwater is dispersed by water tankers to areas where municipal tubes are lacking or where demand surpasses supply. Though minerals with calcium and magnesium are good for the body in allowable limits, other scums may cause harm in the long run.

The RO membrane is a tinny film made up of infinitesimal pores. In usual operation, the membrane in reverse osmosis rudiments can become contaminated (contaminated) by mineral accumulation, organic matter, colloidal particles and inexplicable organic constituents. Also entangling, membranes can get blocked to the degree that they source a drop in the output of purified water; or become futile in eliminating the salts efficiently, or both. As of this fouling problem, most RO purifiers – home along with commercial RO water purifiers have UV purification post membrane to remove the chances of pollution.

To guard the subtle RO membranes, and to prolong the life and prevent frequent fouling, water should first flow over a pre-filter.  The pre-filter cartridge will filter out grime, buildup, sand and other suspended sediments.  This pre-filter should be changed every 6 – 9 months; this, however, depends greatly on water quality and practice. If not correctly back flushed and upheld, this pre-filter can foul or get stopped, and thus decrease the life of the RO membrane.

RO membrane

When it comes to water purifier its Reverse Osmosis (RO) membrane which matters to get the most quality water you consume. These membranes do come with a good decent life cycle. It is considered when the total dissolved solids (TDS) level is way too high and might not be lowered down by other types of purifiers.

Nevertheless, you must be attentive and look for signs of the irregular working of your water purifier, if you notice somewhat isn’t working the way it must then you have to take a call. You must whichever substitute or repair the membrane as it is the most significant part which is accountable for the cleansing of water.

Following are the signs/symptoms when the RO membrane needs to be fixed or replaced

The purifier stops working

This is one of the most common things we perceive after about half the period when your filters will stop functioning. Though one reason can be clogging in various parts, it is in most cases the membrane which is not working additional. You need to change your RO membrane at this prompt. RO purifiers are typically reliant on how it's membrane work under what type of water we fodder for it. By purifier halts working, it is doomed that the output we expect as richer, purer and safer water is not what we get. It is from time to time the input water only. Usually, occur after 5 to 6 years down the line.

Filter runs continuously

It can at times be misjudged that the filter is truly at its peak. But no, the thing is dissimilar. When a filter runs unstoppably, it is often its membrane which is not working. Membrane, because of its letdown to purify water, can give you the output just as the input. Despite the fact how hard you try, there will be times when this will ensue and you should change your filter at this point.

Output water quality is bad

Now, this can be done you can always check the water quality. If you somehow have a doubt whether water you consume on a daily basis is safe to drink or not. All you need is to check the TDS as mentioned above in the list. It is one of foolproof mantra for confirmation. Else a tester is easily available in the market.

Just put the preliminary input water and check the TDS level which is in mg/l or parts per million or ppm. Likewise, check the TDS level of output water and relate them. If you find that the withdrawing water has less than 10% TDS than that of inward water, it is safe. Then, it’s not and you got to substitute the membrane.

Installed pressure gauge shows improper results 

Installing a pressure gauge is the best way to figure out the if filter is running fine or not. Just by installing a pressure gauge you can simplify the whole thing. Preferably, if the filter is working fine and all the sections like deposit etc. are working just they must be, there is no scope for fall in pressure, however a small is fine for inherent errors. Though, a large drop means your pre filter is not good now and wishes to be altered. Almost, this method is to be recurrent after several months and may be more often in areas with high TDS measure. Consequently, just determine the percentage and choose of you need a new pre filter or not.

However, there are some of the most tranquil and stimulating ways to make sure quality and safe water at the end of the day. In most of the cases, you should check the above likelihoods after the span of half a year or one. After all, all we want is clean, filtered and safe water. Working methods like connecting pressure gauge, TDS meter must give you the careful idea as to where you have glitches to fix or not. Essentially, every purifier stresses and deserves cares for the fact that they can continuously go down on function regardless of the brand they are under. So of course it’s our restraint to get certain of our membranes and their operational circumstances.