Reverse Osmosis Storage Tank Pressure Problems? Find Help Here!

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Reverse osmosis systems rely on a fine balance of pressure to operate efficiently.

For one, when reverse osmosis tank pressure gets too low or too high, it can take longer to filter water, waste a lot more water, or cause low flow from the RO faucet.

Let’s elaborate!

Key Takeaways

  • If the pressure in your RO tank is lower than 6 psi or higher than 8 psi, this could indicate a problem. Pressure deviations can cause problems in both directions – positive or negative.
  • Low reverse osmosis tank pressure can lead to low or no flow from the RO faucet and a reverse osmosis system that never shuts off – think water wastage.
  • Pressure that’s too high will stop enough water from entering the tank and also result in added wastewater.
  • The solution is to pressurize your RO storage tank properly.

Reasons for Reverse Osmosis Storage Tank Pressure Problems

What are the reasons for reverse osmosis storage tank pressure problems?

Air Pressure Inside the RO Tank Is Too Low

If the air pressure inside the RO tank is too low, this can lead to issues with water flowing out of the faucet, because there’s not enough pressure to dispense it properly.

You may also hear water flowing down the drain line constantly without the faucet being open. That’s because the tank doesn’t create enough backpressure to close the ASO valve of your reverse osmosis system. Essentially, the RO tank is full but there is still water entering the system. The only way it can go is down the drain, wasted.

Air Pressure Inside the RO Tank Is Too High

If the pressure inside the RO tank is too high on the other hand, this can prevent the tank from filling up properly. As a result, you’ll see more water going down the drain than necessary, and your tank’s storage capacity will be diminished.

Ruptured Tank Bladder

A ruptured tank bladder will cause major issues with the pressure of your RO system. Once your tank’s bladder has ruptured, there’s nothing you can do to fix it. The only option is to replace the tank entirely. And this is something you should do as early as possible, because otherwise you’re going to waste a lot of water while the system is not running properly.

water pressure gauge

How to Check and Adjust Reverse Osmosis Tank Pressure

Checking the pressure of your reverse osmosis tank can be done with a regular pressure gauge. The only important consideration to keep in mind here is that the tank should be empty when you’re measuring the pressure. Make sure to disconnect it and drain it completely before running the test. Here’s how:

  1. Close the water supply to your reverse osmosis system.
  2. Open the RO water dispenser.
  3. Once no more water is coming out, close the storage tank valve.
  4. Disconnect the tank and take it somewhere where you can drain it.
  5. Open the tank valve and pump air into the tank for it to completely empty.
  6. Read tank pressure.
  7. Adjust the pressure so that it sits between 6 and 8 psi (check tank label or product manual to confirm).
  8. Reconnect the tank and allow it to fill.

The Importance of the Right Pressure in RO System Tanks

Balanced pressure is one of the most important factors for the proper operation of a reverse osmosis system.

  • If there’s too little pressure in the tank, it will hold more water than usual, but it will be unable to dispense all stored water properly.
  • In addition, low pressure can lead to problems with the operation of your automatic shut-off valve. It’s possible that the valve will not trigger at the right time, causing the system to continue working and wasting water.
  • On the other hand, too much tank pressure is also not a good thing. It will diminish the storage capacity of the tank, as it will push back on water trying to get in.
  • Too high or too low pressure can also wear out the tank bladder much faster.

For these reasons, you should always aim to maintain a pressure level of 6-8 psi in your RO system storage tank.

How Does an RO Tank Work?

The storage tank of an RO system acts like a buffer that provides you with a constant supply of fresh, filtered water without having to wait for the system to run. The basic idea is simple: The tank is separated into two chambers, one for holding water and one for air. Those chambers are separated by a “bladder” which maintains the pressure between them.

Filling the tank with water causes the water compartment to expand, pushing against the bladder and compressing the air chamber. As a result, the system is under constant pressure and is always ready to dispense water once the faucet is turned on.

If you have any questions about reverse osmosis tank pressure problems please don’t hesitate to leave a comment below!

About the Author Alexandra Uta

Alex is a content writer with an affinity for research and a methodical attention to detail. Since 2020, she has fully immersed herself into the home water treatment industry only to become an expert herself. Alex has been using water filters and similar products for years which has gained her lots of hands-on experience.
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