How do you maintain a Reverse Osmosis system?

Change the filters every 12 months (sooner if your chlorine levels are higher than 1 ppm). The membrane will last up to 5 years if you change the filters regularly AND maintain soft water feeding the system. The membrane will not last as long if you feed the system with hard water. Use standard off the shelf hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) to sanitize the system when replacing the filters or membrane. Use a liberal amount of H2O2 in both the filter sumps and the membrane housing, adding it both before and after inserting the cartridge. Care should be taken to not directly handle the cartridges. For best results, use a clean spray bottle to apply the H2O2. Hydrogen Peroxide works much better than chlorine since it works faster, does not get adsorbed by a carbon filter and ends up turning into water (H2O) when it disintegrates (the second oxygen molecule comes off). After securely putting the filter sumps and/or membrane caps back on, turn on the inlet water supply and open the RO faucet. Make sure the RO tank valve is open. Deplete all of the water in the tank (the water will slow to a trickle or small stream) and then close the faucet. In two to three hours (longer is ok) open the faucet again and deplete the tank once again. Any water from the system after this process should be ready to use.

The RO storage tank requires between 5 and 7 psi in the tank with all water removed. Air needs to be added every two or so years as it diffuses through the rubber bladder inside the tank. If you are not getting much volume from your system AND the tank is heavy, then it is not being pushed out due to lack of air inside the tank bladder.

Question: Does a Reverse Osmosis system remove essential minerals from the water?

Answer: This is marketing misinformation that is not backed by science. The minerals that you require comes from the foods that you eat and vitamin supplements. Chlorine is a known carcinogen and has been linked to certain cancers. Chlorine can also cause birth defects, pregnancy complications, respiratory stress, eye irritation, skin damage, headaches and fatigue, according to experts. Chlorine can actually destroy some of the necessary bacteria in your stomach. Many doctors do not provide complete or accurate information regarding this subject.