How to Replace a Reverse Osmosis Faucet Step by Step
Written by: Gene Fitzgerald // Last Updated: Feb 14, 2023
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Looking to replace your reverse osmosis faucet?
It’s not as complicated as it might seem at first. In fact, you may have already done something similar in the past if you purchased and installed your reverse osmosis system yourself in the first place.
This short guide should hopefully help you get through the process with minimal hassle.
Contents
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Key Takeaways
Replacing a reverse osmosis faucet is as simple as dismantling the old one and assembling the new one in its place:
- Close the water supply to the faucet.
- Drain any remaining water by opening the faucet.
- Disconnect the tubing connecting the faucet to your RO system (might require a wrench). Be careful, there might still be a considerable amount of water in said tubing.
- Remove the faucet’s mounting nut from underneath the sink.
- Lift the faucet out of its hole.
- Clean the hole
- Install the new RO faucet in reverse order.
- Turn the water back on and check for leaks.
- Finally, open the faucet to release any trapped air.
How to Replace a Reverse Osmosis Faucet Step by Step
So, how to replace a reverse osmosis faucet step by step?
As with many replacement jobs, the process can be split into two parts: removing the old RO faucet and assembling the new one. Take your time and approach this with some patience, especially if you haven’t done any similar work on your plumbing in a while.
Disassembling the Old RO Faucet
- Start by shutting off your cold water at the kitchen sink.
- Close the RO storage tank valve.
- Open the old RO faucet to dispense as much water as possible.
- Disconnect the tubing connected to the faucet by using a wrench to loosen the fittings.
- Drain any remaining water from the tubing and soak up any leaks with a towel or two.
- Locate the mounting nut that holds the faucet in place, and use a wrench to loosen it.
- Gently lift the faucet from the sink and set it aside.
- Clean the sink surface where the old RO faucet was installed to ensure a proper fit for the new faucet.
Reassembling the New RO Faucet
Now you’re ready to start assembling the new reverse osmosis faucet. Simply follow these steps:
- Put the mounting gasket onto the new faucet and place it into the free sink hole.
- Secure the faucet using a mounting nut from underneath the sink. Tighten the nut with a wrench.
- Connect the tubing to the new faucet. Make sure the connection is tight to prevent any leaks.
- Turn on the water supply and storage tank valve, and check for leaks.
- If there are no leaks, your reverse osmosis faucet replacement is almost complete. Just one final step: Open your new RO faucet for 30 seconds or so to remove any trapped air from within the system.
Further Reading:
Can I Replace an Air Gap RO Faucet with a Non-Air Gap Faucet?
If you’re using an air gap reverse osmosis faucet, it’s possible to replace it with a non-air gap version, and vice versa. The most important consideration to keep in mind here is that air gaps might be required by your local plumbing code, so swapping to a non-air gap faucet could lead to violations.
You must also keep in mind the difference between the tubing used by the two faucet types. Air gap reverse osmosis faucets use 3/8” drain line tubing, compared to the ¼” tubing used in non-air gap RO systems. Adapters are available if you need to convert your 3/8” drain saddle to ¼”.
If you have any questions about how to replace a reverse osmosis faucet please don’t hesitate to leave a comment below!
About the Author Gene Fitzgerald
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