How to Install a Reverse Osmosis System?

How to Install a Reverse Osmosis System

Installing a reverse osmosis system is a significant step towards ensuring that your household has access to clean and purified drinking water. In a world where water quality is increasingly becoming a concern, having an efficient reverse osmosis system can make a substantial difference.

This comprehensive guide will walk you through the installation process, offering step-by-step instructions on how to install a reverse osmosis system and expert tips to ensure a hassle-free setup. This guide will equip you with the knowledge and confidence needed to install a reverse osmosis system in your home. From checking the available space under your kitchen sink to connecting the intricate tubing configurations, we’ve got you covered. To know more, keep on reading to the end. 

How to install a reverse osmosis system? Step by Step Guide

Gathering Your Tools and Materials

Before you start the installation process, it’s essential to gather all the necessary tools and materials. You’ll need:

• Reverse Osmosis System Kit
• Adjustable Wrench
• Pipe Cutter
• Teflon Tape
• Drill
• Screws and Wall Anchors
• Measuring Tape
• Pencil

Finding the Perfect Location

Choosing the right location for your reverse osmosis system is crucial. Look for a spot near your kitchen sink, as this is where you’ll be drawing water from. Ensure that the location has adequate space for the system and easy access for maintenance.

Preparing for Installation

Turn Off Water Supply: Begin by turning off the water supply to your sink. You can usually find the shut-off valve under the sink.

Prepare the Sink Area: Clear out the area under the sink to make room for the filtration system. Remove any items stored there temporarily.

Read the Instructions: Before proceeding, carefully read the installation instructions provided with your reverse osmosis system kit. Different models may have specific requirements.

Installation Plan

Before investing in a reverse osmosis (RO) system, it’s essential to check if there’s sufficient space beneath your kitchen sink to accommodate both the tank and filters. Measure the available space carefully because if your sink area is cluttered with items like a garbage disposer, fitting an RO unit with its tank and multiple filters might be challenging.

Additionally, ensure you have a clear understanding of where you can source cold water. Most RO units include a tee connection designed to tap into the 1/2-inch cold water supply line leading to your faucet. Some RO units, on the other hand, utilize a 3/8-inch flex line that descends from the faucet. In this scenario, you can use an adapter tee located above the shut-off valve to provide a water source for the filtration system.

Prepare the system

Unpack the storage tank and filter components and perform a thorough check to ensure they will fit in the intended spaces beneath your kitchen sink. By test-fitting all these components, you can determine whether any adjustments to the drain or water supply pipes are necessary. If adjustments are needed, it’s advisable to seek the assistance of a professional plumber to ensure the installation is done correctly.

While most reverse osmosis systems are typically installed under the kitchen sink, they can also be set up in a separate location, such as a garage or utility room, and then connected to the sink area. If your home has a water softener, it’s important to note that the filter system should be installed on the cold water line beyond the water softener. Opting for a remote installation eliminates the need for space under the sink, but it does entail more extensive installation work. Additionally, you may need to purchase extra tubing to facilitate the connection of various system components.

Install the Sink Spigot

To begin the installation process, start by attaching the sink-top spigot for the filter. This step should be done first to ensure that you can route the lines beneath the countertop before the space beneath the sink becomes too crowded. Mount the reverse osmosis (RO) spigot onto the kitchen sink deck or countertop using the provided hardware. Many sinks come with a pre-existing knock-out opening that can serve as the location for the spigot.

Sometimes, the knockout originally intended for a sink sprayer can be repurposed for the filter’s spigot. In the event that there is no suitable existing opening, you can drill a new hole in the sink deck or countertop to accommodate the filter’s spigot.

Next, carefully thread the water line down through the designated opening and connect the air gap (red tube) to the faucet before securing the spigot onto the housing. This ensures a proper connection and effective functioning of the system.

Plan the location

Before placing the RO tank beneath the sink, you should first install the tank connector. Apply the plumber’s pipe seal tape onto the threads of the tank nipple, and then gently screw the spigot connector onto the tank, being careful to avoid cross-threading. It’s important to note that the connector only needs to be hand-tightened and should thread on smoothly.

Once the tank connector is securely in place, you can position the tank beneath the sink. Whenever possible, try to position it directly beneath the sink-top spigot for optimal placement.

Mount the System

Begin by taking off the cover of the filter assembly. Then, use a level to accurately mark the positions of the hanger washers on the wall beneath the sink. Ensure that the unit is perfectly straight during this process. The assembly should be positioned no lower than 15 1/2 inches from the floor to provide sufficient clearance for filter maintenance.

After marking the locations, securely fasten the hanger washers onto the wall at the designated spots. Finally, place the assembly onto the washers to complete this step of the installation.

Connect to Water Supply

To connect the green 1/4-inch water line from the filter assembly to the water supply line, start by turning off the water supply.

The method for making this initial tubing connection may vary depending on your specific situation. In most cases, filters come equipped with a 1/2-inch adapter, which is suitable if your sink faucet utilizes a 1/2-inch flex line. However, if your sink faucet uses flex tubes of a different size, you’ll need to employ an adapter tee to facilitate the transition to the water supply tube leading to the filter unit. The green supply tube is then connected to the adapter tee using a nut, ferrule, and insert for a secure and watertight connection.

Connect the Tubing

The configuration of tubing in your reverse osmosis system may differ depending on the manufacturer, but it typically comprises several key components. This includes a tube that runs from the water supply to the first canister on the filter unit (known as the prefilter), another tube connecting the last canister filter (the RO canister) to the sink drain, and a separate tube leading to the storage tank.

Additionally, there’s a tube that connects the storage tank to the spigot on the countertop. In more complex 5-stage systems, the storage tank water may also pass through a “polishing” filter before reaching the sink-top spigot.

It’s important to note that tubing configurations can vary considerably, so it’s always advisable to consult the manufacturer’s instructions for the specific tubing connections.

When you’re connecting the tubing, take advantage of any extra length provided and route it neatly to the back of the cabinets or wherever necessary to ensure a clean and well-organized installation. If possible, consider leaving some extra tubing in case you need to reposition the system in the future. Alternatively, you can trim the tubing to the required size for a tidier and less cluttered appearance.

For this particular reverse osmosis system, the yellow tubing is used for the storage tank, the blue tubing inserts into the RO assembly, and the black tube connects to the drain adapter. Prior to connecting the yellow tubing, be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions regarding system sanitization for optimal performance.

Connect to the Drain

When installing a Whirlpool reverse osmosis system, you’ll find a drain tee included in the package. To set it up, follow these steps:

• Position the filter’s tee fitting against the existing drain pipe, then mark the pipe for cutting using a hacksaw. Ensure that the tee fitting will fit snugly.
• Using the hacksaw, carefully cut the drain pipe at the marked location. Make precise cuts to ensure a secure fit for the tee.
• Attach the filter’s drain tee fitting to the cut drain pipe using the provided slip washers and nuts. These connections should be made in a manner similar to assembling a drain trap, ensuring a watertight seal.
• Lastly, insert the filter’s black drain tube into the adapter tee to complete the installation of the drain system.

Flushing and Testing

Before using the water for consumption, flush the system as per the manufacturer’s recommendations. This helps remove any residual contaminants.

Test the water quality using a TDS (Total Dissolved Solids) meter. Your reverse osmosis system should significantly reduce the TDS levels, indicating cleaner water.