Plumbing tips · November 3, 2026
Cleaner water from one faucet
A reverse osmosis system makes drinking and cooking water at one faucet. It is not a whole-house fix, and it needs looking after.
What it removes
Water is pushed through a very fine membrane that holds back most dissolved minerals and salts, along with things like lead, nitrates and many other contaminants. Carbon filters before and after it take out chlorine and improve the taste.
What it is not
It only treats the water at the faucet it is hooked to, usually at the kitchen sink and sometimes the refrigerator. It does not soften the water for the rest of the house. A softener protects pipes and appliances; reverse osmosis is for what you drink.
What it needs
It sends some water to the drain while it works, so it needs a drain connection under the sink. It has a small storage tank, its own faucet on the sink, and filters and a membrane that have to be changed on schedule or it stops doing its job.
Soft water helps it last
Hard water scales the membrane and shortens its life. In a house with very hard water, a softener ahead of the reverse osmosis system keeps it working longer.
Questions we get asked
How often do the filters need changing?
The pre and post filters usually every six to twelve months, and the membrane every few years. The manufacturer's schedule and your water decide the exact timing.Why does the water come out slowly?
Reverse osmosis makes water slowly and stores it in a small tank. Slow flow from the faucet can mean the tank is empty, the tank has lost its air charge, or the filters are clogged.Can it supply the refrigerator ice maker?
Yes, a line can be run from the system to the refrigerator. The fittings and tubing have to be right so the line does not leak behind the fridge.Plumbing questions we answer
Where we go
Parker, Wise and Tarrant County, out of the shop in Springtown. Springtown, Weatherford, Azle, Boyd, Decatur, Newark, Millsap, Fort Worth and the country in between.
Call 817-487-8866