Help, My RO Tank Won’t Fully Empty!
Written by: Alexandra Uta // Last Updated: Mar 8, 2023
This page may contain affiliate links. If you buy a product or service through such a link we earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Learn more.
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!
Contents
show
Key Takeaways
- It is perfectly normal for an RO tank to not fully empty.
- This is because, as water flows out of the tank, the air pressure inside decreases. At a certain point the internal tank pressure won’t suffice to push out any more water.
- If you want to completely empty your reverse osmosis tank, you will need to pump air inside.
Help, My RO Tank Won’t Fully Empty!
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.
How to Fully Empty a Reverse Osmosis Storage Tank
To completely empty your RO storage tank, you need to follow these steps:
What You’ll Need
- Bicycle tire pump or compressor
- Pressure gauge
Step by Step Instructions
1. Shut off the RO Water Supply
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.
2. Remove the RO Storage Tank
Disconnect the storage tank from the rest of the RO system, and take it to a place that can get wet. Usually, the garden.
3. Empty the RO Storage Tank
Open the tank valve and let the water flow out until it gets down to a trickle.
4. Pump Out the Remaining Water
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:
Further Reading:
5. Measure the Empty Tank Pressure
Measure the tank psi with your pressure gauge, and depressurize or repressurize if needed to a psi of between 6-8.
6. Reconnect the Tank to the RO Unit
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!
About the Author Alexandra Uta
Information provided on BOS is for educational purposes only. The products and services we review may not be right for your individual circumstances.
We adhere to strict editorial guidelines. Rest assured, the opinions expressed have not been provided, reviewed, or otherwise endorsed by our partners – they are unbiased, independent, and the author’s alone. Our licensed experts fact-check all content for accuracy. It is accurate as of the date posted and to the best of our knowledge.