15 Reasons: Why Is My Reverse Osmosis Constantly Draining?

Last updated on January 2nd, 2023

Are you having trouble with your reverse osmosis water purification system properly treating your water? Are you experiencing a problem that involves the continuance of your system to drain water? You should know that these issues are not uncommon. If you having trouble with this I will share 17 of the most common reasons Why Is My Reverse Osmosis Constantly Draining water filter but first let me tell you about my reverse osmosis success story.

We have all been there. The dishwasher, clothes washer, and more are running great, but the water heater is leaking, the air conditioning is not blowing out any air, and worst of all: the reverse osmosis constantly draining. I have learned from personal experience to find the best reasons why my RO is constantly draining.

If you have high air pressure in the pipes it will push water out of the membranes and cause the system to constantly drain. So let’s examine some things we can do to help prevent this from happening, shall we?

Top 12 Reasons Why Is My Reverse Osmosis Constantly Draining

If you have a reverse osmosis system, you will know that it can be a bit of a pain when it comes to maintenance. You need to change filters regularly and keep an eye on things in order for everything to work as it should. Here are 12 reasons why your RO is constantly draining:

1. There is a leak present

If there is a leak in your plumbing, it could mean that there are leaks in the pipes leading from your faucet or shower head. If this is the case, then you need to contact a plumber immediately so that they can fix the problem. This will save water and money!

2. The system is losing pressure

This can happen for several reasons, including:

The filter may be clogged up with sediment and debris. This means that your RO membrane has become damaged due to overuse and needs replacing (which can be expensive). The membrane may have been damaged during installation by punctures or cuts in the membrane during installation or removal of parts (when installing new filters). If this happens during installation, it may be too late to save your membrane; however, if it happens after installation then there may still be hope for saving it.

3. The membrane has been damaged

If your membrane becomes damaged or worn out, then it will not be able to filter out impurities from water effectively anymore. You will notice this by looking at the quality of your purified water which may start having white particles floating in it after running through the system for some time. You can replace your membrane(s) once they have become damaged or worn out and start producing lower quality purified water again.

4. There is a broken component

This is one of the most common problems with your reverse osmosis system, so it is important to check this first. The most common components that can break down include:

Pressure relief valve – This valve releases any pressure buildup in the unit and prevents damage to other parts of the system, but if it fails to function properly then this can cause leaks or even damage your drinking water supply. In such cases, you may need to replace the pressure relief valve with a new one.

Drain valve – This valve should open automatically when there is too much pressure in your system and discharge excess water through a drain line from your unit. 

If this valve does not function properly then you may experience leaks or even damage your drinking water supply by allowing too much pressure into your home’s plumbing system. It is important that you check that this device works properly before using your RO again after fixing any other problems.

5. The drain is clogged

The drain line is the most common cause of RO units not working properly. Clogs can occur at any point along the length of the drain line, including at the tank and faucet ends. If you suspect a clog, use a pipe cleaner to clear debris from the tank’s drain line. 

If this doesn’t solve the problem, turn off your water supply to your RO unit and remove it from your sink or faucet. Inspect all parts of the drain line for any obstructions. If you find one, remove it with pliers or a pair of tweezers before reconnecting your RO unit.

If you have a whole house filtration system installed, there may be an air gap installed between your main water supply line and the filtration system’s inlet valve that could be causing problems with draining or back-pressure on your reverse osmosis unit. 

6. The filter has been damaged

A reverse osmosis system is dependent on its filter to work properly. If your system is constantly draining, it might be a sign that the filter needs to be replaced. The filter is responsible for cleaning the water before it flows into your home.

If you notice that the filter is damaged or broken, then a replacement should be purchased immediately. When you replace your filter, make sure that you also replace any other parts that may have been damaged by leakage in your system. This can include valves and tubing.

7. The float valve system has a problem

A reverse osmosis system typically uses a float valve system to control how much water flows through the unit. If this valve malfunctions or stops working properly, then there will be an issue with how much water drains from the unit when you open it up for maintenance purposes. 

One way to tell if this is happening is by checking the amount of water that comes out when you open up the faucet after shutting off your reverse osmosis machine for maintenance purposes.

If there is less than half of an inch of water coming out of your faucet after shutting off your reverse osmosis unit, then there could be issues with how much water drains from your machine.

8. There is damage to the circulation pump or motor

If there is damage to your circulation pump or motor, it can cause your reverse osmosis unit to constantly drain. The circulation pump circulates water through various parts of your RO system, including the filter housing and membranes. Without a working circulation pump, these components will not be able to function properly and they may end up leaking or breaking down altogether.

9. The tank reservoir is full

If there isn’t enough room in your tank reservoir for all of the filtered water, it could cause constant drainage through the faucet spout on top of your unit. It’s important that you check how much water is left in your tank every time before using this feature. If you don’t do this regularly, then you’re likely going to end up wasting a lot of perfectly good water because there isn’t enough room for it all!

10. Air in the System

If there is air in your system, this can cause problems with back-flushing and water flow. Adding air pressure to the system will help remove any air bubbles that have collected inside of it. The easiest way to do this is by using a pressure gauge on top of your faucet (or another location) where there is no water flow or use an air compressor. Once the pressure is equalized throughout the entire system, you should be able to see better flow from all of your faucets.

11. Flow Restrictor Regulator

If there is a restriction in your filter housing or regulator that restricts flow, then this could be causing your constant drainage problem. You can check this by removing these parts from the filter housing and seeing if there are any obstructions present inside of them (such as clogged lines). 

12. Drain Saddle Valve Malfunctioning

The drain saddle valve is a device that allows the water to flow out of the tank, but doesn’t allow it back into the tank. Sometimes this valve malfunctions and allows water to leak out constantly. This is a problem that can be fixed by replacing or adjusting the drain saddle valve.

Conclusion: Why Is My Reverse Osmosis Constantly Draining 

There are many reasons why your reverse osmosis system might be constantly draining. Some of them are completely harmless and will have no effect on your home’s plumbing, while others could create serious problems if they aren’t addressed immediately. 

So if you’re having trouble figuring out why this is happening, use the information below. It can help you cut down on the number of phone calls you make to find the solution for your problem water system.

For most people realizing they have reverse osmosis, the problem is easy, but there are some warning signs that you can watch out for to avoid an expensive and time-consuming repair. Be smart with your investment and make the proper decisions to prolong the life of your RO system. 

Read Also: 10 Best Reverse Osmosis Systems (RO water purifier)