How Often Should RO Membrane Be Replaced? Find Out the Answer!

Let me tell you about my little adventure with my reverse osmosis (RO) system. You know, it’s one of those things you don’t really think about until it starts acting up. So, the big question was, “how often should I be replacing that RO membrane?”

I started by checking the water production. It’s usually pretty consistent, but I noticed it was slowing down. Not dramatically, but enough that I was like, “Hmm, something’s not quite right.” That was my first clue.

Then I started to read some articles. I saw that someone said “Generally, RO membranes can last up to about 1 to 5 years.” But I don’t know why I felt that was too long. Then I started to do my test.

So, I grabbed my Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) meter – super handy little gadget. I tested the water before it went into the RO system and then after. The difference wasn’t as big as it used to be. It used to be a huge drop, but now it was just, meh, okay. That told me the membrane wasn’t doing its job as well as it should. It was not easy to find the answer, some said “the membrane is changed every 2 – 3 years”, and some said “The RO membrane should last 5+ years”. Which answer should I trust?

Then, I did some more digging around. Seems like everyone’s experience is a bit different, which makes sense. It’s not just about time; it’s about how much water you’re putting through the system and what’s actually in that water. I use mine pretty heavily, I’d say. Plus, we’ve got some hard water here, which probably doesn’t help.

I also checked the prefilters. They were looking pretty nasty, all clogged up with sediment and stuff. I try to change those every few months or so, maybe twice a year. That’s supposed to help protect the membrane, but I guess it can only do so much.

After all that, I figured it was time to just bite the bullet and replace the membrane. It had been about 1 and a half years since the last change, which is earlier than I expected, but I decided to replace it. And guess what? The water flow picked right back up, and the TDS reading dropped like a rock. Success!

So, my takeaway from all this? Don’t just go by the calendar. Keep an eye on your water production, use that TDS meter, and don’t be afraid to replace the membrane sooner rather than later. It’s better to be safe than sorry, especially when it comes to something as important as your drinking water.

• Monitor Water Production: I noticed a slowdown in water production.
• Use a TDS Meter: I used a TDS meter to check the water quality.
• Consider Usage and Water Quality: I use my system a lot, and we have hard water.
• Check Prefilters: I replace prefilters every 3-6 months to protect the membrane.
• Replace the Membrane: I replaced the membrane after 1 and a half years.
• Observe Results: After replacing, water flow and quality improved significantly.

Hope that helps anyone else out there wondering about their RO system!