Tag: information

Posted on by — Leave a comment

Winter-Proofing Your Reverse Osmosis System

Winter-proofing your Reverse Osmosis (RO) system is crucial to prevent freezing and maintain optimal performance during colder months. Here’s a quick step-by-step guide to help you winterize your RO system:

Locate and Insulate Pipes:

Identify all exposed pipes connected to your RO system.

Use pipe insulation sleeves to cover exposed pipes, especially those located in unheated areas like basements or garages.

Ensure a snug fit to provide adequate insulation against the cold.

Protect Outdoor Components:

If your RO system has outdoor components, such as pre-filters or membranes, consider installing a protective cover or enclosure to shield them from snow and freezing temperatures.

Make sure the cover is well-ventilated to prevent condensation and humidity buildup.

Install a Heated Wrap:

For additional protection in extremely cold climates, consider using a heated wrap or tape specifically designed for water pipes.

Follow the manufacturer’s instructions to install the heated wrap, and ensure it has a thermostat to regulate temperature.

Insulate the Entire System:

If your RO system is located in an unheated space, consider insulating the entire system. Use insulation blankets or foam boards to wrap around the unit.

Pay attention to sensitive components like the pressure pump and valves.

Install a Space Heater:

If the RO system is in an area without sufficient heating, consider using a space heater to maintain a moderate temperature.

Position the heater away from direct contact with the RO system components and follow safety guidelines.

Regular Maintenance:

Perform routine maintenance, such as changing filters and checking for leaks, before the onset of winter.

Address any issues promptly to prevent them from escalating during colder weather.

Monitor Weather Conditions:

Stay informed about upcoming weather conditions. If an extreme cold spell is forecasted, take additional precautions, such as increasing the water flow or applying extra insulation.

By following these steps, you can help ensure that your reverse osmosis system remains operational and efficient, even in the coldest winter conditions. If in doubt or if you’re unsure about certain aspects of winterizing your RO system, contact our team for further guidance.

Posted on by — Leave a comment

Water Pressure Explained

water pressure explained landscape

As we turn on the kitchen tap or run a bath, unless the water is dripping out or not coming out at all, most people will not consider the how the water is coming out. However, water pressure is something that we should all be familiar with.

Most households receive water from a mains water system. The water is usually extracted from various groundwater sources, treated to remove impurities and then pumped to a high point or water tower. Gravity then takes over to provide the pressure that forces the water through the pipes and eventually to our homes.

Typical residential water systems are designed to function between 40-70 psi of pressure. If the water pressure exceeds 80-90 psi, a pressure regulator may need to be installed to reduce the pressure to an acceptable range. This will stop any damage being caused by excess water force. The opposite can also occur. Where water pressure is below 40 psi, a pressure-booster can be installed to bring it up to acceptable levels.

It is also important to note that water flow is not the same as water pressure. Water flow is the effect of water pressure on the amount of water available. If water pressure is reading at an acceptable level but the pressure seems to be less than usual, this may be caused by a flow problem.

Posted on by — Leave a comment

What is TDS?

what is tds landscape

Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) is the total amount of charged ions dissolved in a given volume of water. This is expressed in units of mg per unit volume of water (mg/L) or as parts per million (ppm). These ions can include minerals, salts or metals and can affect everything that consumes, lives in or uses water. TDS will measure the quality and purity of water as well as the performance of water filtration systems.

The dissolved solids refer to any minerals, salts or metals dissolved in water. This includes anything present in water other than pure water molecules and suspended solids. Suspended solids are any particles or substances that are not dissolved or settled in the water, such as wood pulp.

In general, the total dissolved solids concentration is the sum of positively charged and negatively charged ions in the water.

A TDS meter is based on the electrical conductivity (EC) of water. Pure water has virtually zero conductivity. TDS is calculated by converting the EC by a factor of 0.5 to 1.0 times the EC, depending upon the levels. Typically, the higher the level of EC, the higher the conversion factor to determine the TDS.

Posted on by — Leave a comment

What is Reverse Osmosis?

how-reverse-osmosis-works-1

Reverse osmosis (RO) is one of the most convenient and effective filtration methods available. RO membranes can usually remove between 96 – 99% of most contaminants, including salts, minerals, dyes, particles, bacteria, and hazardous metals.

In reverse osmosis, contaminants are separated from water by forcing it through a semi-permeable membrane. This membrane acts as a physical barrier to almost all molecules with a molecular weight greater than 200 grams/mole. For example, the membrane may allow passage of water molecules but block molecules of dissolved salt. These unwanted molecules are retained by the membrane while the ultra-pure water continues on for use or further treatment. This is the same technology used to make bottled water and is the only technology capable of desalinating sea water to be made into drinking water.

Non-RO water filters are much less effective. They can filter out coarse particles, sediments and elements but anything finer including most dissolved substances cannot be filtered out. This will result in a lower quality of filtered water compared to RO filtration.