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5 Common Water Purifier Problems And Solutions Featured 

5 Common Water Purifier Problems And Solutions

If maintained properly, a water purifier can work for a good 4 to 5 years without any trouble. Post that, you may begin to face some common problems that often arise in water purifiers. Water leakage is not the only issue faced by people.


Here are 5 commonly-faced problems in a water purifier and their solutions…


Unusual Water Taste Or Smell

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This is because a biofilm (a number of organic and inorganic material collected on the surface) has accumulated in one or more of the filtration stages. Due to this the levels of contaminants in the water rise. The quickest solution for this is to replace any clogged filters or membrane. You can then check if there is an improvement in the taste or odour. Ensure that the filters are changed every 12 months.

RO purifiers use copper tubing in its mechanism. If you find that the water has a metallic taste, it means the water may have dissolved a high amount of sulfate, chloride and bicarbonates which has left that taste in the water. Similarly, if you find the water to be slightly salty, it means the salt and other solids have dissolved in the water. The RO needs to be fully functional for it to eliminate these particles from the water. Call a professional for a maintenance check and get the purifier cleaned once every 6 months.

Slow Water Flow

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Earlier, your purifier would release enough water to fill the glass but now it only fills half a glass and the water flow from the faucet stops. This is because you either have low volume or low pressure of water. An RO needs a minimum pressure of 40 to 60 psi (pounds per square inch) to operate properly. There could also be a malfunction in the water storage tank. There is an air bladder in the water tank which works faster, depending on how much water is stored in the tank. The more water, the more the pressure.

If there is leakage in the bladder, it doesn’t release enough pressure and this leads to slow water flow from the faucet. Clogged water filter cartridges due to high sediment content in the water is also a possible reason for this problem. If the filters are clogged, get them replaced.

Noisy Faucet

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You may hear a strange noise from the water purifier faucet, especially after getting the filter cartridges changed. In this case, the water purifier doesn’t need to be replaced. This happens when there is air being pushed out of the system or due to change in the water pressure within the system. Soon after replacing the filter, if the noise doesn’t subside, call a professional to check if the tubing was properly set. The noise could also occur if the tanks valve is not properly closed.

Leaking Faucet Or Filter/Membrane

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If there is constant leakage from the water purifier faucet, a part of the purifier is probably ill fitted. To fix the issue, the part will have to be tightly fitted. If the same issue is found in a filter/membrane, it could be due to a worn out O-ring. Call a professional to check if the valve is properly closed. Also, check the O-rings and replace it if it is cracked or not in a good condition and tightly place them back.

RO Water Tank Does Not Fill Up

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This is a common problem which is caused due to extremely low water pressure. Like we mentioned, an RO needs a minimum pressure of 40 to 60 psi (pounds per square inch) to operate properly. If the water pressure is less than 40 psi you will need to increase the pressure. This can be done with the help of a water pump commonly used for RO water purifiers.

A damaged RO membrane could also be a possible reason. The semipermeable membrane (A barrier that only allows some molecules to pass through while blocking the passage of other molecules) removes the smallest particles and microbes from water. When the membrane is clogged, the water filtration process slows down and the water quality degrades. If the membrane is clogged or damaged it should be replaced to avoid any health issues. Also, note that an RO membrane needs to be replaced once a year or once every 2 years, depending on the usage. This ensures clean and healthy drinking water.

RO Vs UV Water Purifiers

RO Purifiers

With the help of a membrane, RO purifiers purify water using the RO technology. This helps remove impurities like dissolved solids and invisible particles like bacteria in the water. Regular maintenance is a must for RO purifiers for it to function properly for longer. These purifiers are best suited for big families and are expensive as compared to UV purifiers due to its RO technology. They are mostly recommended for places with high levels of TDS (total dissolved solids) in water, commonly known as hard water.

A good thing about the RO purifiers is, it creates a lot of pressure to separate out heavy minerals from the water. They decrease high levels of TDS in the water by forcing the water, under pressure, through a synthetic membrane. These purifiers are the best to use during monsoon, since the water quality is not very great during this season. In fact, water between 45 to 70 TDS is considered healthy drinking water. However, RO purifiers filter out excessive minerals from the water and cut down the water to 40 TDS, which is the only minus point. A good RO costs anywhere between Rs 15,000 to Rs 25,000, depending on the brand and model.

Ultra Violet (UV) Purifiers

UV purifiers work with UV rays to kill the germs and microbes. As far as maintenance is concerned, they require annual replacement for better performance. However, after a year there is no assurance that the UV light will continue disinfecting the water thoroughly. UV purifiers are more commonly used in Indian homes, as they are economical and still do the job of producing healthy drinking water. UV purifiers cost anywhere between Rs 6,500 to Rs 15,000.

To keep your water purifier running in good condition for longer, we recommend buying the Onsitego Annual Maintenance Contract for your water purifier. The plan covers 2 scheduled maintenance services a year, annual replacement of filters and RO membrane and complete breakdown support. Click here for more information.

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