Troubleshooting Reverse Osmosis | Water Never Stops Draining Out

Solving Reverse Osmosis Water Filter Issues

Issue: Water Never Stops Draining Out

Please note: Reverse osmosis works by rejecting some of the input water.

So its normal when water drains from the system.

But it should only drain as the tank is refilling

eg say you’ve filled the kettle. This water is taken from the storage tank which now needs to refill.

You will hear water draining down the waste pipe while the tank is refilling.

But if the trickle of water is constant then follow this guide:

First check the unit has been installed correctly see how here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=naPWgTt5b68

If you’re happy everything looks OK then…please see these simple checks below:

If the water never stops / is always draining this is most likely to be an issue with either:

1) The Membrane or 
2) The “4 way splitter valve” has broken.
3) Your local water pressure might be too low.

Details

1) The Membrane

Check the membrane has been fitted correctly.

Check the instructions.

Otherwise the problem is probably caused by the age of the membrane - they should last three years but this can be less if the pre filters aren’t changed regularly (every six months) or in extreme cases if the limescale level is very high.

The solution is to replace your membrane

2) The “4 way splitter valve” has broken.

If you have an old reverse osmosis unit it is also a good idea to also change your 4 way splitter valve at the same time to make sure it hasn't been damaged by scale etc

if necessary, order a new valve. Keep a careful note of exactly how the old valve is fitted eg take a video photos etc of which tubes go in where and swap in the new one in the exact same way.

3) Your local water pressure might be too low.

If the above issues have been checked then your water pressure might be too low. 

For a standard Reverse Osmosis systems ie without a pump you need to have a minimum incoming pressure of 2.7 bar.

To test your water pressure fill a 1 litre jug from a ground floor tap; if it takes longer than 7 seconds, your local pressure is too low for a non-pumped Reverse Osmosis

Note: You cannot simply retrofit / add a pump to a non-pumped RO unit. You will need to buy a pumped-fitted RO.

Please note; none of these simple checks / actions require any expertise.

If you cannot do them yourself, you could ask a local handyperson.

Our service does not include site based support.

Our support is online only. The quickest way to get a response is to EMAIL us.

Please use photos or videos where possible, to save time.

Thank you