Do you need to check the storage tank pressure on an Reverse Osmosis system? The storage tank pressure should be between 5-7 psi when it's empty. If the pressure isn't within that range, the unit may not be working optimally. Read on below to check the tank pressure and adjust it if needed.
Tools Needed:
Hand/bike pump
Low-pressure gauge
How It Works
The product water in the tank rests on a bladder (shown below). The water relies on air pressure below the bladder to push it up and out to the faucet. A thumping noise from the system is often an indicator of very low pressure in the tank.
Click here to expand step-by-step instructions.
1. You'll need to stop water flow through the unit. You can do this by turning off the cold-water supply or removing the Prefilter. Check the Owner's manual if you need help identifying it.
2. Now, turn on (open) the Osmosis faucet on the sink to allow water flow during the next few steps.
3. Locate the Schrader valve on the side of the tank, under a blue plastic cap (pictured below).
4. Here you need to connect a bicycle/hand pump to the Schrader Valve and add pressure into the tank slowly. As you add air pressure, the water in the tank will flow out through the faucet. Continue this until the tank is empty.
A few things to note at this step:
- You can't test the pressure of the tank when it's full. This is because the pressure it reaches when it's full depends on multiple factors such as incoming water pressure, water chemistry, and temperature. This is why it's important to fully empty the storage tank before adjusting the air pressure to 5-7 psi.
- If water leaks from the Shrader Valve while performing the steps in this process, the bladder in the tank has ruptured, and the Storage Tank needs to be replaced.
5. Check the air pressure in the tank with a low-pressure gauge and adjust if necessary. The tank needs to be 5-7 psi when empty. You can increase the pressure by pumping more air in, or release pressure by pushing the stem in the center of the Shrader valve with a pen or similar object to let air out.
6. Replace the blue cap on the valve.
7. Turn on the cold-water supply (or reattach the Prefilter) to the unit, whichever you did previously.
8. Turn off (close) the Osmosis faucet handle and wait 3-4 hours for the tank to refill. Once it has refilled, the system should be working optimally again with the right amount of water flow and pressure.
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