How to Replace a Reverse Osmosis Tank Step by Step
Written by: Gene Fitzgerald // Last Updated: Mar 6, 2023
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Does your reverse osmosis tank lose pressure regularly and release water slowly?
That’s a huge sign that it’s time to replace the tank!
If you’re wondering how to go about it, we’re here to help! This post will guide you through how to replace an RO storage tank, one step after another.
Contents
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Key Takeaways
Here’s how to replace a reverse osmosis tank:
- Turn off your RO system water supply and open the faucet to drain out the present water.
- Place a towel under the tank.
- You’ll find a hose connected to the valve on your current RO tank; pull out that hose. Then, take out the old RO tank.
- Wrap 3 or 4 layers of Teflon tape on the outlet tube on top of the new RO tank.
- Fix a shut-off valve on the wrapped outlet. Ensure the valve is tightly secured, but don’t overtighten.
- Move the new RO tank to your desired location and connect the tubing to the new shut-off valve. Make sure it’s tight enough too.
- Turn on the water supply, and check for leaks as the new RO tank fills up with water.
- When the tank is full, open the RO dispenser to drain all the water.
- Then, close the faucet and let the tank fill up again.
How to Replace a Reverse Osmosis Tank
So, how do you replace an RO tank?
We promised one step at a time, so let’s start with this: get the needed tools and supplies ready!
What You’ll Need
- Towel
- Teflon tape
- Wrench
- New RO tank
Removing The Old Tank
Now that you’re all set with tools it’s time to remove your current RO tank. To achieve that, follow these steps.
Step 1: Turn Off Your Water
Under your kitchen sink, you’ll find the valve that controls the water supply to your reverse osmosis system. Turn that valve 90 degrees to switch off your water.
Step 2: Open the RO Faucet
Now, you want to drain all the water in your old storage tank. Open your RO tap and let it run until the water flow reduces to a trickle. Even then, some water will still be left in the tank, so you should place a towel under the sink before moving on to the next step.
Step 3: Detach the Old Tank
Pull out the hose that enters the valve on your RO tank. Depending on the type of connection, you may need to push the collar on the valve to remove the tubing successfully. Once the hose is out, the tank stands as a separate system, and you can take it out of your kitchen.
Installing the New Tank
The next thing is to fix your new reverse osmosis tank. But where do you place it?
Where to Install an RO Pressure Tank
It’s natural to want to place your new RO storage tank in the same spot as the old one. While that’s fine, it’s not a die-hard rule. You can change the location of your tank; probably switch from under-the-sink to somewhere around your kitchen sink. What’s important is that the tank stays within 10 ft from the RO faucet.
Besides, you can place the tank upright or lay it sideways (it’s advisable to place it upright).
Once you’ve picked a spot, follow these steps to install the new tank.
Step 1: RO Tank Preparation
First, unbox and confirm that all the elements are intact and in the correct position.
Next, wrap 3 or 4 layers of Teflon tape on the threaded port on top of the tank. Then, take the shut-off valve and fix it on the outlet. Screw in the valve so it’s well-tightened, but don’t over-tighten it, so it doesn’t break.
Step 2: Placing the Tank
Now move the new RO tank to your chosen location.
Step 3: Making the Tubing Connections
Insert the tubing that you pulled off the old pressure tank into the valve of the new one. Ensure to secure the tubing tightly – pull the hose and see if it sticks.
After fixing the tubing, open the tank valve and switch the water supply back on. As the RO tank fills up, check for water leakages. If you find any leaks, you need to tighten the connections further.
If there are no leaks, leave the tank to fill up with water. It’s easy to end things here, but it’s best to be thorough. You should drain out the first water batch to avoid drinking impurities from the new tank. So when your tank is full, open the faucet and let all that water flow out. Then, you can leave the tank to fill up once again.
Further Reading:
When Should You Replace Your Reverse Osmosis Water Storage Tank?
You should replace your reverse osmosis water storage tank if it loses pressure fast. That means it starts to release water slowly or does not dispense a whole lot of water.
If you repressurize the tank and it loses pressure again in a couple of hours or days, then the bladder inside the tank is damaged. The only solution is to replace the entire tank. Usually, RO tanks only need replacement every five to ten years.
DIY vs. Hiring a Contractor
Replacing an RO storage tank is relatively easy — you can pull it off with a reliable guide, basic technical know-how, and a few tools and supplies. The whole process will take you one or two hours max.
However, you may need to hire a contractor if you’re a plumbing rookie or you don’t want to go through the hassle. In that case, you’ll spend between $150 to $400.
If you’re hiring someone, make it worth it. Choose a reputable contractor who’ll do a smooth job. It’s crucial to check online reviews or ask around before hiring.
If you have any questions about replacing a reverse osmosis tank please don’t hesitate to leave a comment below!
About the Author Gene Fitzgerald
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