How Often Do You Flush RO Membrane? Simple Guide to Keep Your Water Clean

Okay, so, I’ve been messing around with this RO system for a while now, and one thing that always bugged me was figuring out how often to flush the membrane. I mean, it’s not like they come with a big flashing sign saying, “Flush me now!” So, I did what any normal person would do – I dove headfirst into the wonderful world of online forums and articles.

Let me tell you, the information out there is all over the place. Some folks swear by flushing it every single day. Others say once a week is plenty. And then there are those who just let it ride until their water starts tasting funny. I even stumbled upon a guy who claimed he hadn’t flushed his in a year and everything was just peachy. I’m pretty sure that dude’s gonna have some serious mineral buildup, but hey, who am I to judge?

Anyway, after wading through all that, I started experimenting. First, I tried the “flush after every use” method. Honestly, it felt like a bit much. I’d finish filling up my water bottle, and there I was, flushing the system again. It’s not exactly hard, but it did feel kind of wasteful, you know?

Then I switched to once a day. I figured, at the end of the day, after the system had done its thing, I’d give it a good flush. This seemed to work okay, but I still wasn’t sure if it was necessary. It was still a bit of a hassle, honestly, having to remember to do it every night before bed.

So, I decided to go rogue. I started flushing it only when I felt like it needed it. Yeah, I know, super scientific. But hear me out. I’d keep an eye on the water flow. If it seemed a little slow, or if the water started tasting a little off, I’d give it a flush. I also started paying attention to how much water I was actually using. On days when I was filling up a ton of bottles or using the RO water for cooking a lot, I’d flush it more often.

I also started doing this thing where I’d drain the storage tank every couple of weeks. Apparently, that helps keep the pressure right and the water fresh. I don’t know about all that, but it seemed like a good idea, so I went with it. It’s not like it’s a huge deal. Just turn a valve, wait a bit, and you’re done.

My Little Experiment’s Results

Here’s what I found:

• Flushing after every use: Too much hassle, felt wasteful.
• Flushing daily: Still a bit of a pain, but probably a safe bet.
• Flushing on demand: Worked for me, but you gotta pay attention to your system.
• Draining the tank every two weeks: Easy enough, and seems like a good practice.

So, what’s the big takeaway? Honestly, there’s no magic answer. I ended up settling on a routine where I flush it every few days, or whenever I notice the flow slowing down, or after a day of heavy use. It seems to be a good balance between keeping things clean and not going overboard. Plus, draining the tank every couple weeks seems to keep things happy. But the best way is to keep an eye on your water flow and taste, and if either starts to go south, give that membrane a good flush. And hey, if you’re feeling lazy, just remember that flushing is way easier than dealing with a clogged-up, moldy membrane. Trust me on that one.

Keep it clean, folks!