How to Flush an RO Membrane? (A Simple Guide to Clean Your Filter)

So, the other day, I had to deal with my RO system at home. It’s been acting up, and the water flow was getting slower and slower. I figured it was time to give that membrane a good flush. Here’s how I did it, step by step.

First off, I turned off the water supply to the RO system. You don’t want water gushing everywhere while you’re working on it. Then, I located the pressure vessels where the RO membrane is housed. I needed to get those ready for cleaning.

Next, I prepared a cleaning solution. I just used some regular bleach from under the sink – about a quarter cup. I poured that into the Stage-1 housing. Then, I screwed the housing back on, making sure it was tight.

• Turn off the water: This was the first thing I did. Safety first, right?
• Find the membrane: I had to locate the pressure vessels that hold the membrane. A bit of looking around, but I found them.
• Mix the cleaner: I mixed up a simple cleaning solution. Nothing fancy, just some bleach and water.
• Add cleaner to housing: I carefully added the cleaning solution into the Stage-1 housing.

With the cleaning solution in place, I turned the water supply back on, just for a bit. This let the bleach solution flow through the system, reaching the membrane. After that, I turned the water off again and let the whole thing sit for about an hour. I figured that would give the bleach enough time to do its thing and clean out any gunk in the membrane.

The Waiting Game

Waiting is always the hardest part, isn’t it? I used that hour to catch up on some emails and do some other chores around the house. Once the hour was up, it was time to flush the system. I turned the water back on and let it run for a good while, making sure all the bleach solution was flushed out. It’s important to get all that cleaner out of there before you start using the water again.

After the flush, I checked the water flow, and it was like night and day. The flow was strong and steady again. I also kept an eye on the water quality for the next few days, just to make sure everything was back to normal. Turns out that a good flush was all it needed. Who knew it could be that simple?

So, yeah, that’s how I flushed my RO membrane. It wasn’t too hard, and it definitely made a big difference. If you’re having similar issues with your RO system, maybe give this a try. It might just save you a call to the plumber!