Written by: Alexandra Uta // Last Updated: Mar 8, 2023
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Whether it be disassembling your reverse osmosis system for transport or checking the psi of your empty RO tank, there may be occasions where you want the tank completely empty.
To do this, you need to do a little more than just open the valve and let the water flow out.
Follow these steps to empty your RO water tank completely!
Key Takeaways
First things first, don’t freak out! It is perfectly normal for an RO tank not to empty completely. The amount of water that is pushed out depends on the air pressure inside the tank. As water leaves the storage tank, the air pressure decreases, reducing the water flow until, eventually, no more water will come out.
This is why, when emptying an RO tank to measure the psi, you need to use a bicycle pump or compressor to get that last bit of water out.
To completely empty your RO storage tank, you need to follow these steps:
Turn off the water supply to the RO system, and close the storage tank water valve. Open the RO faucet to drain the remaining water.
Disconnect the storage tank from the rest of the RO system, and take it to a place that can get wet. Usually, the garden.
Open the tank valve and let the water flow out until it gets down to a trickle.
Get your bicycle pump or compressor, and use it to pump the last bit of water out of the tank.
If you are emptying the tank for the purpose of checking the air pressure in it, then you need to follow these additional steps:
Measure the tank psi with your pressure gauge, and depressurize or repressurize if needed to a psi of between 6-8.
Once the tank is at optimal pressure, reconnect it to the RO system.
If you have any questions about what to do when your RO tank won’t fully empty please don’t hesitate to leave a comment below!
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