So, you’re thinking about installing a reverse osmosis system? Great choice! A reverse osmosis (RO) system is a fantastic way to ensure you and your family have clean, great-tasting water right at your fingertips.

Although it may seem like a daunting project, installing an RO system is actually something you can do on your own with a bit of patience and a few basic tools.

In this guide, I’ll take you through the entire process step-by-step. You’ll save money on installation costs, and best of all, you’ll be enjoying pure water in no time

Understanding How Reverse Osmosis Works

Before diving into the installation, it’s helpful to understand how a reverse osmosis system works. Essentially, an RO system removes impurities from water by using pressure to push water through a series of semipermeable membranes.

These membranes filter out contaminants like lead, chlorine, fluoride, and other impurities, leaving you with pure water that tastes great. Most systems also have a pre-filter and post-filter to further purify the water.

Reverse osmosis systems are typically installed under the kitchen sink, which makes them easy to access and conveniently placed to provide fresh drinking water. You’ll need a dedicated faucet for the purified water, and this is often included in the system.

Gather Your Tools and Materials

To install an RO system, you’ll need the following tools and supplies:

• An adjustable wrench
• A drill with a ¼-inch bit (for drilling into your sink or countertop for the faucet)
• A Phillips screwdriver
• Teflon tape
• A bucket or bowl to catch any water spills

You’ll also need your reverse osmosis system, of course! Some popular and highly rated options available on Amazon include:

• iSpring RCC7 5-Stage Reverse Osmosis System: This model is affordable, highly rated, and comes with all the components you need for installation, including a chrome faucet.
• APEC Water Systems ROES-50: Another reliable RO system with great reviews. It’s easy to install and provides consistent water quality.
• Waterdrop WD-G3-W Tankless RO System: If you’re short on space, this tankless option is popular due to its sleek design and efficiency.

Once you have everything ready, you can start the installation process.

Prepping the Area

First, clear out the cabinet under your kitchen sink. You’ll need enough space to work comfortably, and you’ll want to ensure that there’s no clutter in the way while you’re installing the system. It’s also a good idea to lay down a towel in case of any small leaks or spills during the process.

Take a look at the plumbing under your sink. You should see a cold-water line, which you’ll be tapping into. You’ll also need space to mount the RO system itself and a spot to place the tank. Make sure everything fits before starting.

Installing the RO Faucet

One of the most important parts of this project is installing the faucet for your purified water. Most systems come with a separate faucet that you’ll need to install in your sink or countertop.

Step-by-Step Faucet Installation

1. Choose the Location: The faucet needs to be close enough to your sink and the RO system. Most people choose to install it near the main kitchen faucet.
2. Drill the Hole: If you don’t have a pre-existing hole, use a ¼-inch drill bit to create a hole in your sink or countertop. Stainless steel sinks are easiest to drill through, but granite countertops may require a special diamond bit.
3. Secure the Faucet: Insert the faucet into the hole and secure it using the hardware provided with your RO system. Make sure it’s seated snugly.
4. Connect Tubing: Connect the appropriate tubing from your reverse osmosis system to the faucet. Most faucets use a push-to-connect system, which makes this step relatively easy.

Connect the Water Supply

Next, you’ll need to connect the water supply. This involves tapping into the cold-water line under your sink. Most RO systems come with a feed water adapter for this purpose.

Step-by-Step Water Supply Connection

1. Turn Off the Cold-Water Supply: Before doing anything else, turn off the cold-water supply. You’ll usually find a shutoff valve under the sink.
2. Install the Feed Water Adapter: Disconnect the cold-water line from the shutoff valve and install the feed water adapter. Once the adapter is in place, reconnect the cold-water line.
3. Connect the Tubing: Attach the tubing from the RO system to the feed water adapter. Use Teflon tape on any threaded fittings to ensure a watertight connection.

Install the Drain Saddle

The next step involves installing the drain saddle. The drain saddle is a clamp that attaches to your sink drain line to allow wastewater from the RO system to be removed. This is an essential part of the process because reverse osmosis creates a certain amount of wastewater that needs to go somewhere.

Step-by-Step Drain Saddle Installation

1. Choose a Location: The drain saddle should be installed above the P-trap on the drain line. This prevents any odors from coming back up the tubing.
2. Drill a Hole: Drill a small hole into the drainpipe where you plan to attach the saddle.
3. Attach the Saddle: Position the drain saddle over the hole and secure it tightly with the screws provided. Attach the wastewater line from the RO system to the drain saddle. Make sure the tubing is secure.

Mount the Filter System and Tank

Now, it’s time to mount the RO filter system itself. Most systems have a series of brackets that allow you to hang them on the wall of your cabinet under the sink.

Step-by-Step System Mounting

1. Choose a Spot: Find a good spot under your sink to mount the system where it won’t be in the way but can be easily accessed for maintenance.
2. Mount the System: Use the screws provided to mount the system onto the inside wall of the cabinet. Make sure it’s mounted securely.
3. Position the Tank: Place the storage tank in a location that’s convenient but doesn’t obstruct access to other items under your sink. The tank should have a small ball valve on top, which will connect to your RO system.

Connecting the Tubing

The final step is connecting all the tubing between the components. There will usually be multiple color-coded tubes, making it easier to understand which tube goes where.

• Feed Water Line: This line connects the cold-water supply to the RO system.
• Filtered Water Line: Connect this line to the RO faucet.
• Wastewater Line: This line connects the RO system to the drain saddle.
• Tank Line: This line connects the storage tank to the RO system, allowing it to fill up with filtered water.

Push all the tubing firmly into their respective connectors. Make sure everything is secure to prevent any leaks.

Testing the System

Once everything is connected, it’s time to turn the water back on and test the system.

• Turn On the Water Supply: Slowly turn on the cold-water supply and check for leaks. If you see any leaks, tighten the connections until they stop.
• Open the RO Faucet: Open the RO faucet and allow the water to run for a few minutes. The system will need to fill, and you’ll likely hear water flowing to the drain.
• Check for Leaks: While the system is running, check all the connections again to make sure there are no leaks.
• Flush the System: Most manufacturers recommend flushing the RO system for several hours before using the water. This helps to clean out the filters and any impurities from the manufacturing process.

Enjoy Your Clean Water!

After flushing, your reverse osmosis system is ready to go! You can now enjoy fresh, clean water directly from your new RO faucet. Be sure to check the system regularly for leaks and replace the filters as recommended by the manufacturer (usually every 6 to 12 months).

Maintenance Tips

• Replace Filters Regularly: To ensure your water stays pure, replace the pre-filters every 6 to 12 months. The RO membrane typically needs to be replaced every 2 to 3 years, depending on your water quality.
• Sanitize Annually: Once a year, it’s a good idea to sanitize your RO system. This can usually be done by adding a small amount of bleach to the pre-filter housing before flushing the system thoroughly.
• Check for Leaks: Even after installation, it’s good practice to check for leaks periodically, especially after replacing filters.

Conclusion

Installing a reverse osmosis system may seem complicated, but by following these steps, you’ll find that it’s completely doable. Not only will you save money by doing it yourself, but you’ll also gain the satisfaction of having taken on a DIY project that directly benefits your family’s health.

Remember to choose a system that suits your needs. The iSpring RCC7 and APEC Water Systems ROES-50 are both excellent choices that are reliable and have great reviews on Amazon. If you’re tight on space, the Waterdrop WD-G3-W is an excellent tankless option that won’t take up as much room under your sink.

Take your time, follow each step carefully, and soon you’ll be enjoying pure, great-tasting water right from your tap. Cheers to clean water and a job well done!

If you prefer something portable like counter top filter, check out this filter below; https://amzn.to/3DdUshR

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