RO Membrane Housing Leaking? Here Is What to Do!

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Are you finding water is leaking from your under sink reverse osmosis system?

Have you figured out that it is coming from your RO membrane housing? Not sure what to do next?

Don’t worry. We have you covered. Read on to learn what may be causing your RO membrane housing to leak and what you can do to fix it and prevent leaks in the future.

Key Takeaways

These are the common reasons for a leaking RO membrane housing and how to fix them:

  • Cracked housing – replace.
  • Leaky O-ring – clean, lubricate, reposition, or replace.
  • Cracked membrane housing cap – replace.
  • Loose housing cap – Push RO membrane all the way in and tighten cap (using wrench if needed).
  • Leaking tubing connection – Make sure tubing end is cut straight and push tubing all the way in. If quick-connect fitting is damaged, replace.

Reasons for RO Membrane Housing Leaking

There are several reasons your membrane housing could be leaking, and it is important to identify which it is, so you know where to focus on fixing it.

Body of Housing Leaks

Check the body/housing of your membrane. There may be cracks due to general wear and tear or spikes in the water pressure. If you identify any, then the housing will need to be replaced.

Leaking from the Membrane Housing Cap

If the leaking is centralized near the membrane housing cap, then it will likely be due to one of the following.

A Leaky O-Ring

The O-ring in the membrane housing cap may be causing the leak. Check to see if it is brittle, worn-out, misplaced, or dirty.

Replace the O-ring if needed, and lubricate it with food-grade silicone. If the O-ring is still in good shape, make sure it is clean and properly seated.

Cracked Membrane Housing Cap

Check the housing cap for any cracks. These can occur due to water pressure spikes. If there are cracks, the housing cap will need replacement.

Loose Housing Cap

It could be as simple as your housing cap is not screwed on tightly enough, or the RO membrane has not been pushed in far enough, and the cap, therefore, cannot close properly. Check that the membrane is pushed in correctly, and tighten the cap using a wrench if need be.

Leaking from the Tubing Connection

  • Firstly check that your tubing is secure. If it is loose, you need to push it in all the way.
  • Also, make sure the end of the tubing has been cut straight. If not, it will need to be re-cut.
  • If both of these things are fine, check the quick-connect fitting for any damage and replace it if you find any.

plumber installing reverse osmosis system under sink

How to Fix RO Membrane Leaking

Once you have identified the issue causing your membrane housing to leak, you will need to follow this procedure to fix it without causing a mess:

  1. Close the feed water valve.
  2. Close the storage tank valve.
  3. Drain your reverse osmosis system by opening the RO faucet. Once drained, you can replace or fix the leaking membrane filter housing.
  4. Unscrew the housing cap and Inspect the O-rings and replace them if needed.
  5. Make sure the RO membrane is properly seated.
  6. Screw the membrane housing cap back on, and tighten an additional quarter turn with a housing wrench.
  7. Open the valves to the feed water and the tank, and check to see if it is still leaking.
  8. If it is still leaking, the housing may be damaged and need replacement.

How to Prevent RO Membrane Leaking in Future

Here is how to prevent your RO membrane housing from leaking in future:

  • Always ensure that the RO membrane and housing have been installed correctly, in the proper position, and have been screwed in and tightened properly.
  • Keep your O-rings well-maintained and lubricated.
  • If you are prone to spikes in your water pressure, consider purchasing a pressure regulator.

If you have any questions about RO membrane leaking 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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