As winter approaches, it’s extremely important to prepare your RODI System and its components for the colder temperatures. One often-overlooked aspect of this preparation is winterizing your reverse osmosis filter. Proper winterization can help prevent damage and ensure that your RO system continues to provide purified clean water throughout the window cleaning seasons. In this blog, we will guide you through the steps to winterize your reverse osmosis filter and discuss how IPC’s RO Protect can help extend the life of your RO Filter during the winter months.
Reverse osmosis (RO) systems are sensitive to temperature fluctuations. When the temperature drops below freezing (32 degrees Fahrenheit/0 degrees Celsius), water within the filter, membranes, pipes and water lines can freeze, leading to potential damage or even system failure. Winterizing your RO filter is crucial to protect your investment and maintain its functionality.
Step 1: Drain the System
If you live in a part of the country where you shelve your RODI system for the winter months due to the extreme cold, you will want to open the waste water valve to dispel the remaining water out. If your system has a drain/flush valve located near the base of the RO vessel, we encourage you to fully open it to purge the remaining balance of water in the RO housing.
Step 2: Empty Prefilter Canisters
Whether your system has 1 or 2 prefilters (Carbon & Sediment) you will want to remove your carbon and sediment filters and empty the housings. Reinstall empty housings and store your prefilters in a watertight container in a dry cool place.
Step 3: Empty DI Vessel
You can now repeat the steps you performed with the prefilters with the DI Canister. It’s recommended to allow the DI cartridge to drain for 30-45 minutes once it’s been removed from its canister. Once the DI filter is mostly drained, you can now store the DI Filter in a watertight container in a dry cool place and reinstall the canister back onto your system.
Step 4: Prepare IPC’s RO Protect
The RO protect is a quick and easy solution to protect and store your Ultra-Pure System. All that is needed is 1 package of RO Protect and 1 gallon of pure water or distilled water per RO Filter. The RO Protect can be used with Propylene Glycol (RV Antifreeze) to add some freeze protection. It protects membranes from biological fouling and is meant to be used when your RO System(s) will be out of service for 30 days or more. Simply dissolve solution in water, mix thoroughly ensuring all powder has been dissolved.
Step 5: Create Closed Loop
Before pouring the RO Protect into the RO Membrane, use the waste water hose to connect the inlet and waste water outlet creating a closed loop.
Step 6: Remove Safety Lid from RO Vessel
Remove the RO safety lid giving you full access to the RO Membrane.
Step 7: Pouring IPC’s RO Protect into RO Vessel
Slowly pour solution into the top of the open RO pressure vessel. Close drain/flush valve when solution starts coming out, filling the pressure vessel to the top. Allow time for the solution to settle into the membrane, top off as needed, reinstall cover and store system in a dry cool place.
Winterizing your reverse osmosis filter is a simple yet crucial task that can save you from expensive repairs or replacement. By following these steps, you can protect your RO system from the harsh winter elements and ensure that it continues to provide you with clean, pure water when the warmer months return. Don’t neglect this essential aspect of maintenance, and enjoy worry-free winter seasons with your properly winterized reverse osmosis filter.
We hope you have found this blog to be informative. However, if you have any questions at all related to your RODI system, please give our office a call 1-800-535-6394 and speak with any one of our friendly knowledgeable team members. Feel free to navigate our user-friendly website with our wide variety of professional grade equipment at https://www.detroitsponge.com/.