How to Clean Your RO Membrane: Easy Flushing Guide

Okay, so, I had this thing with my water filter at home, you know, the one that’s supposed to make tap water all nice and clean? It’s called a reverse osmosis system, or RO for short. The heart of the whole operation is this special filter called a membrane, and it was time to give it a good flush. I figured, why not share my little adventure?

First off, I turned off the water supply to the system. Safety first, right? Then, I got down to business. I started by taking apart all the filter housings. These are just like little containers that hold the filters. And I took out all the filters – the pre-filters, post-filters, the whole bunch. This included things like sediment filters, carbon filters, and some other in-line filters. I even removed the main guy, the RO membrane itself.

With all the filters out, I gave the housings a good scrub. I used some warm, soapy water and a soft brush, just like you’d wash your dishes. Made sure to rinse them really well afterward, because nobody wants soapy water in their drinking water, am I right?

• Turn off the water supply.
• Disassemble all filter housings.
• Remove all filters, including the RO membrane.
• Wash housings with soap and water, then rinse.

Now, with the system all cleaned up, I did a little test. I temporarily turned the water back on without the RO membrane and let it flush out for a bit to make sure that everything is clean enough to put back the RO membrane.

After that, I reinstalled all the filters and the RO membrane back into their housings. Then, I slowly turned the water back on, always checking for any leaks or drips. Once I was sure everything was sealed up tight, I let the system run for a while. This is important because it flushes out any air or leftover soap and gets the water flowing smoothly through the membrane again.

And that’s pretty much it! The RO membrane was all flushed and ready to go. It’s not rocket science, but it’s one of those little maintenance things that keeps your water filter working its best. I hope my little walkthrough helps someone out there. It’s really satisfying to do these things yourself, you know? Plus, it saves you some bucks from calling a professional for every little thing.

Why bother flushing?

Well, over time, all sorts of gunk can build up in the membrane and the filter housings. By flushing, you’re basically giving your system a clean slate. It helps the membrane work more efficiently and can even extend its life. So, it’s a win-win!