Replacing Your RO Membrane: How Long Does a RO Membrane Last Usually?

So, I’ve been messing around with this RO system at home for a while now, and I thought I’d share my experience with the RO membrane – you know, that thing that does the heavy lifting in filtering your water. The big question on my mind was, “How long does this RO membrane actually last?” I mean, nobody wants to be replacing these things all the time, right?

When I first got my hands on this system, I was told that these membranes could last anywhere from 2 to 5 years. Sounds like a pretty wide range, doesn’t it? Well, it turns out it really depends on a few things. The quality of the water you’re feeding into the system plays a big role. My water isn’t too bad, but I know folks with really hard water, and I bet that takes a toll on the membrane.

Anyway, I started keeping track. I marked the date on the calendar when I installed the system. And then, life happened. I used the system daily, made sure to run it regularly, you know, the usual stuff. One thing I did religiously was to change out the pre-filters like clockwork. I figured, “Hey, if I keep the big chunks of gunk out, maybe the membrane will thank me for it.”

After about a year, I started noticing something. The water flow was slowing down. Not drastically, but it was definitely taking longer to fill up a glass. I remembered reading somewhere that this was a sign that the membrane might be getting clogged up. It makes sense, right? It’s like trying to breathe through a straw that’s slowly getting filled with sand.

• Year 1: Noticed a slight decrease in water flow.
• Year 2: Water flow was slower, decided to buy a TDS meter.

Then one of the other guys told me to get a TDS meter. So I got my hands on a TDS meter to check the water quality. The numbers were creeping up, which basically means more dissolved solids were getting through. That’s not what you want to see. I did this test maybe every other month or so to check in.

By the end of the second year, the water production was noticeably slower, and the TDS readings were higher than I liked. I was getting a bit worried that I’d have to replace it earlier than I thought. I kept up with the pre-filter changes, hoping it would magically fix things, but no luck. It was time to face the music.

• Year 2.5: Water production significantly reduced, TDS readings higher.
• Year 3: Yep, definitely time for a new membrane.

So, around the two-and-a-half-year mark, I decided to bite the bullet and replace the membrane. Honestly, I probably could have squeezed a few more months out of it, but I didn’t want to push my luck. After replacing the membrane, the water flow was back to normal, and the TDS readings dropped significantly. It was like a breath of fresh air for my RO system.

In the end, my RO membrane lasted about two and a half years. I’ve heard stories of people getting four or even five years out of theirs, but I guess my water conditions and usage just weren’t in line with that. It’s a bit of a bummer to replace it, but hey, clean water is worth it, right?

So, if you’re wondering how long your RO membrane will last, keep an eye on your water flow and maybe invest in a TDS meter. It’s a good way to keep tabs on your membrane’s health. And don’t forget to change those pre-filters – it might not be a magic bullet, but it definitely helps!