Unfiltered water contains harmful contaminants, large molecules, toxic minerals, and solid substances, which can be detrimental to our digestive system and overall health. Therefore, it is advised to install a water filtration system, like a Reverse Osmosis (RO) system to improve water quality and make it better for cooking, drinking, and other household activities.
Under the Reverse Osmosis system, the water goes through a process that applies pressure on it through specialized membranes to remove the unwanted substances.
If you don’t have a RO system and wish to install it, you can go through our step-by-step installation guide and DIY.
Prerequisite Tools & Preparation
A complete Reverse Osmosis System kit is equipped with the following:
- Faucet installation and other parts installation kit
- RO storage tank
- RO system
Open the package that came to your place and ensure if everything mentioned is present.
Additionally, you might require the following tools during the installation process. Keep them handy before installing the system:
- Tubing cutter
- Electric drill
- Metal & concrete drill bits
- Screwdriver
- Hammer
- Teflon tape
- Adjustable wrench
Step-By-Step Installation Guide
Before getting into the installation process, you must decide the location of the system installation. Once you have decided, clean out the space entirely and ensure the area is enough to install a Reverse Osmosis system.
Let’s explore each step of the installation thoroughly and get familiar with the whole process:
#1 – Faucet Installation Process (Precautions & Procedure)
The faucet installation process is different for stainless steel sinks and others like porcelain, enamel, metal, and ceramic sinks. However, if your sink has a sprayer already installed, you need to disconnect it first. You can use a pipe cap or plug to seal the sprayer.
In order to create the faucet mounting hole on the sink, you can follow the following steps for stainless steel sinks:
- Use a center punch to mark the ¼” pilot hole on top of the sink
- Take an electric drill and make a pilot hole
- Enlarge the hole using a larger size drill bit until it is ½” in size
- Smooth the sharp edges of the hole
Otherwise, follow the below-mentioned steps:
- Use a center punch to mark the ¼” pilot hole on top of the sink
- Use light pressure and low speed to make a hole in porcelain with a masonry bit
- Below the porcelain surface, where the metal surface comes, switch the bit to a metal cutting one.
- Continue to drill the hole and make it larger until the hole becomes ½”
Make sure to position the faucet in a way that empties into the sink and spout swivels conveniently. However, if the sink at your place already has a hole for RO installation, then there is no need to drill. You can easily mount the faucet on it.
#2 – Mount The Faucet With Rubber Washers
Remove the bottom threaded shank of the faucet and attach the rubber washers up the shank towards the faucet body.
Then, orient the faucet by placing the threaded shank in the sinkhole.
Finally, tighten the washer from below the sink to avoid spill.
#3 – Install Angle Stop Valve & Riser Tubes
For the best feed supply connection, Angle Stop Valve installation is required. It has a built-in cold water shut-off feature, ensuring an easy and simple connection for the RO system. Follow the below-mentioned steps for quick installation:
- Using an angle stop valve stops the cold water supply
- After you shut the valve, open the faucet handle to relieve the pressure
- It would help if you disconnected the riser tube using an adjustable wrench
- Next, make room for the angle stop valve by moving the tubing away
- Hand-tight the connection after connecting the cold water shut-off threads to the angle stop valve.
- Connect the riser tube and ¼” tubing between the inlet RO system and stop valve
#4 – Next Instate Drain Saddle Valve
Further, you will need a wastewater connection to drain out all the unwanted containment. For this purpose, a drain saddle is installed.
Make sure you avoid installing it near garbage or waste bin areas to prevent clogging.
Installation process:
- Select the location and mark the size of the opening of the drain saddle valve
- Drill the hole ¼.”
- Place the sticking side of the clamp around the hole after removing gasket backing
- Make the opening aligned with the hole and position both halves of the drain saddle
- Tighten the valve with bolts and nuts provided in the installation kit
#5 – Setting-up Tubing Connections
If you are installing your RO system under the sink, it is recommended to complete the tubing connection there.
#6 – Mounting RO Components
In the RO unit, three components are installed: carbon block cartridge, sediment cartridge, RO membrane. Handle the cartridge wearing gloves and wash hands after installation.
The sediment cartridge is installed first, followed by carbon one and then the RO membrane with the O-ring end.
#7 – RO Unit Installation Comes After
On the sink cabinet sidewall, install the RO unit. Mount the unit at least 2” from the floor and mark the height for drilling holes.
Then drill holes for installing screws and hang the RO unit using the bracket slots behind it.
#8 – Place & Pre-fill the Water Storage Tank
To ensure there are no leaks in the system, pre-fill the tank until it stops automatically.
First, connect the feed into the RO unit directly. If you observe any leaks, secure all connections using a wrench and screwdriver.
#9 – Final Set-Up & Starting The System
When all the components are installed and trial checks are run, complete the final tubing process:
- Make sure the tubing is cut as per the length mentioned correctly
- The tubing must not have crimps
- For good water flow, the tubing between the RO unit to the faucet and tank should be as short as possible
- If you want to prevent the system from failure, do not move the drain flow restrictor
With this final step, your Reverse osmosis System is ready to use. There are different water filtration methods, so use the one that suits you better and ensure that you drink filtered water and stay healthy!