We all know that it is the reverse osmosis (RO) membrane which matters the most when it comes to the best water purifier, whether you are getting the quality water or not. These membranes, though have quite a good life of few couples of years, it’s not that you shouldn’t check them regularly and ensure the best out of them. This type of small appliance is generally preferred when the total dissolved solids (TDS) level is quite high and might not be lowered down by other types of purifiers.
However, you should be alert and look for signs of abnormal working of your water purifier, if you notice something isn’t working the way it should then you have to take a call. You must either replace or repair the membrane as it is the most important part which is responsible for purification of water.
Following are the signs / indications when the RO membrane needs to be fixed or replaced
1.The purifier stops working
This is a common thing we observe after about half the decade when your filters will stop working. While one reason can be choking in various parts, it is in most cases the membrane which in not not usable further. You need to change your RO membrane at this instant. RO purifiers are mostly dependent on how its membrane work under what type of water we feed to it. By purifier stops working, it is meant that the output we expect as a clearer, clearer and safer water is not what we get. It is sometimes the input water only. Generally occur after 5 to 6 years down the line.
2. Filter runs continuously
It can sometimes be misunderstood that the filter is actually at its peak. But no, the thing is different. When a filter runs unstoppably, it is often its membrane which is faulty. Membrane, because of its failure to purify water, can give you the output just as the input. No matter how hard you try, there will be times when this will happen and you should change your filter at this point.
3. Output water quality is bad
This is what you can always do. Checking the water quality. If you have a doubt about what you drink out of purifier is safe or not, just check a parameter called total dissolved solids (TDS). It is the basic mantra for confirmation. You always get a tester in the market for this purpose. Just put the initial input water and check the TDS level which is in mg/l or parts per million or ppm. Similarly, check the TDS level of output water and compare them. If you find that the outgoing water has less than 10% TDS than that of incoming water, it is safe. Otherwise, it’s not and you got to replace the membrane.
4. Installed pressure gauge shows improper results
This is the best way to judge if your pre filter is running fine or not. All you have to do is install a pressure gauge, easily available anywhere, at the first and last portion of your pre filter of the purifier system. Ideally, if the filter is fine and all the sections like sediment etc. are working just they should be, there is no scope for drop in pressure, though a small is fine for inbuilt errors. However, a large drop means your pre filter is not good now and needs to be changed. Practically, this method is to be repeated after several months and may be more frequently in areas with high TDS measure. So, just calculate the percentage and decide of you need a new pre filter or not.
There are some of the most easy and interesting ways to ensure quality and safe water at the end of the day. In most of the cases, you should check the above possibilities after the span of half a year or one. Afterall, all we want is a clean, drinkable and safe water. Practicing methods like installing pressure gauge, TDS meter should give you exact idea as to where you have problems to fix or not. Basically, every purifier demands and deserves attentions for the fact that they can always go down on function irrespective of the brand they are under. So of course it’s our responsibility to get assured of our membranes and their working conditions.