How to Change Reverse Osmosis Cartridges

Reverse osmosis cartridges remove harmful contaminants from drinking water.

Reverse osmosis purification systems force water through a series of filter cartridges. A typical reverse osmosis system uses a pre-filter, a carbon filter, a reverse-osmosis membrane and a storage tank. The pre filter removes sediment and chlorine. The carbon filter removes organic materials and chemicals that escape the pre-filter. The reverse osmosis membrane removes viruses, bacteria and parasites, including Cryptosporidiosis. Tiny tears and defects in the cartridges of a reverse osmosis system greatly reduce the filtration ability of the system. Changing these cartridges allows the system to filter normally.

Things You'll Need

• Warm soapy water
• Clean water
• Bleach
• Reverse-osmosis filter replacement set

Send to Phone

Brought to you by

Send to Phone

Please enter your 10 digit phone number only.

Send

A link to this article has been sent to the phone number provided.

Close

Reply HELP for help, STOP to end. Message and data rates may apply.

Instructions

1. Turn the reverse osmosis system's water valve off. Follow the water pipe from the wall to the valve. Turn the valve handle clockwise to close it.

2. Close the storage tank's valve off. This valve, usually located on top of the storage tank, connects the tank to the reverse osmosis system.

3. Turn the reverse osmosis' faucet on. This relieves the water pressure in the cartridges.

4. Grab a cartridge near the top. Spin the cartridge counterclockwise. Pull the cartridge free of the housing.

5. Discard the old filter or membrane. Wash the cartridge in warm soapy water then rinse it in clean water. Pour 1 tbsp. of bleach into the cartridge and fill it with water. Wait five minutes before dumping the bleach water. Rinse the cartridge in clean water.

6. Check the cartridge's label. The cartridge label states which filter the cartridge contains. Choose the same type of filter cartridge from a filter replacement pack and insert it into the cartridge.

7. Place the open end of the cartridge against the reverse osmosis system's housing. Spin the cartridge clockwise to tighten.

8. Follow the waterline from the faucet back to the reverse osmosis system until reaching the carbon filter, sometimes called the post filter. Pull the waterlines from the carbon filter's ports, located on each end.

9. Grip the carbon filter with one hand and unscrew the caps with the other hand. Wash the carbon filter's caps with clean water. Screw the caps onto a new carbon filter.

10. Observe the arrow on the side of the carbon filter. Aim the arrow toward the faucet. Push the water lines onto the carbon filter's caps.

11. Turn the valves on and turn the faucet off. Check for leaks and tighten as needed.

Tips & Warnings

• If tightening the cartridges will not stop a leak, then remove the cartridge and replace the O-ring.

References

• Pure Water: How to Change RO Filters and Membranes
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: A Guide to Water Filters
• Advanced Water Filters: Understanding Home Reverse Osmosis Systems

Resources

• Ion Life: Introduction to Water Filters