How to Tell When Your Reverse Osmosis Water Filter needs to Be Replaced

  • 0.5-1
  • Beginner
  • 25-75
What You'll Need
Water filter
What You'll Need
Water filter

Knowing when to replace your reverse osmosis water filter involves recognizing a few situations that may indicate a problem. Here are a few tell-tale that it needs to be replaced. If you are having any of the problems listed below, it may be a sign that you need a new filter.

Step 1 - Check Water Pressure

Little water pressure is a sign that there is a problem with your reverse osmosis water filter. If the water pressure is below about 40 PSI, then check both the storage tank, RO membrane or the water filters to see if one of them needs to be replaced.

Step 2 - Check Taste and Smell

A weird taste or smell is also often a key sign that the water filter needs replacing. Many times this is due to a bad membrane or an expired filter and can be fixed easily with a replacement.

Step 3 - Check Flow

If you find that the system is always running and has low water pressure, low tank pressure, or a bad restrictor, then you will also need to replace the filter.

Overall, you will want to maintain the filter and check every 8 to 12 months to see if it needs to be replaced. Many times they can last longer, but if you see these problems beginning, a replacement may be in order.

If you find that the system is always running and has low water pressure, low tank pressure or a bad restrictor, you will also need to replace the filter.