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If a water purifier is maintained properly, it can work for 4 to 5 years without any trouble. After that, you may begin to face some common water purifier problems. Water leakage is not the only common water purifier problem that is faced by people. There are various other issues that can arise after a few years of water purifier usage, including unusual taste, unusual smell, noisy faucet, and slow water output. In this article, we have listed the 5 most common water purifier problems and their solutions so that you can easily identify the problem and get it fixed.
5 Most Common Water Purifier Problems and Their Solutions
RO and UV water purifiers are the most commonly found water purifiers in most homes, and each of them can have several issues. However, we have created a list of the 5 most common water purifier problems and tried to list their typical solutions.
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1. Unusual Water Taste Or Smell From The Water Purifier
If your RO or UV water purifier is offering water with an unusual smell or taste, it could be because a biofilm has accumulated in one or more parts of the water purifier. A biofilm is a layer of organic and inorganic material collected on the surface of a water purifier. Due to this, the levels of contaminants in the water rise. The quickest solution for this is to replace any clogged filters or the membrane. Once the filters and the membrane are changed, you can check if there is an improvement in the taste or odour of the water. Ensure that the filters are changed every 12 months.
RO purifiers use copper tubing in their mechanism. If you notice that the water has a metallic taste, it means the water may have dissolved a high amount of sulfate, chloride, and bicarbonates from the copper tubing, leaving a metallic taste in the water. Similarly, if you find the water from the purifier to be slightly salty, it means the salt and other solids have dissolved in the water. The RO water purifier needs to be fully functional to eliminate these particles from the water. If the water from your purifier tastes saltier than usual, you should call a professional for a maintenance check and get the purifier cleaned. You should carry out this procedure once every 6 months.
2. Slow Water Flow From The Water Purifier
If your water purifier is releasing purified water very slowly and fills just half the glass during the same time, it is because you either have low volume or low water pressure. An RO typically 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 of the purifier, leading to this issue. The purifier’s water storage tank contains an air bladder so that it releases water quickly. The more the water, the higher the pressure.
If there is leakage in the bladder, it may not offer enough release pressure and that leads to slow water flow from the water purifier’s faucet. It is also possible that the water filter’s cartridges have been clogged due to high sediment content, which could lead to slow water output. If the filters are clogged, get them replaced by a water purifier service professional.
3. Water Purifier’s Faucet Is Making Unusual Noises
If you hear a strange noise from your water purifier’s faucet, especially after replacing the filters and the membrane, it is due to the air being pushed out of the system. It could also be due to a 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 installed. The noise could also occur if the water tank’s valve is not closed properly.
4. Water Is Leaking From The Purifier’s Faucet Or Filter/Membrane
If there is constant water leakage from the purifier’s faucet, a part of the purifier is probably not fitted correctly. To fix the issue, the ill-fitted part needs to be identified and replaced or fitted tightly. If the same issue is found in the water purifier’s filter or membrane, it could be due to a worn-out O-ring. An O-ring is a soft rubber ring that stops water from leaking out of the parts.
If the water purifier is leaking water from the faucet, filter, or membrane, call a service engineer to check if the valve is properly closed and if the O-rings are in good condition. If the O-ring is cracked or not in a good condition, they need to be fitted tightly to replaced.
5. RO Water Tank Does Not Fill Up
Another common problem that is found in many RO and UV water purifier is that the water storage tank doesn’t get filled up completely. This is caused due to extremely low water pressure in the purifier. As we mentioned earlier, an RO water purifier 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, which can be done with the help of a water pump.
A damaged RO membrane could also be a possible reason for the water tank not getting filled completely. The semipermeable RO membrane is a barrier that allows only water molecules to pass through to the other side while blocking the passage of water contaminants like dust, dirt, viruses, and bacteria, thus offering clean and safe drinking water. When the membrane gets clogged after a few months of usage, 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.
An RO membrane inside a water purifier typically needs to be replaced once a year, depending on the usage. This ensures clean and healthy drinking water.
RO vs UV Water Purifier: Which is Better?
A lot of people ask this question before buying a water purifier. Is an RO water purifier better for their needs or a UV water purifier. We have answered that question in detail in our dedicated and in-depth water purifier buying guide.
