Table of Contents
In Indian homes, a water purifier works harder than almost any other appliance. It runs non-stop in 40 °C summers, tackles TDS levels that swing from 300 to 5000 ppm, and fights mud, iron, fluoride, and bacteria day after day. Yet most families replace their RO system within 5–6 years, spending ₹15,000–₹25,000 again and again.
At SKF Elixer, we have domestic and commercial plants running perfectly in rural, industrial, and apartment settings. The secret is not luck — it is five simple habits that cost almost nothing but add years to the machine’s life.
Follow these and your next purifier can easily outlast your refrigerator.
1. Never Delay Filter Replacement — Treat It Like Engine Oil in Your Car
Filters are the lungs of your RO system. When they choke, the entire machine suffers.
Why timely change matters
- A clogged sediment filter forces the booster pump to work 40–50 % harder, burning it out in 2–3 years instead of 8–10.
- Saturated carbon filters release trapped chlorine and organic impurities back into the water (reverse contamination).
- In high-TDS areas (Punjab, Haryana, coastal Gujarat), delaying filter change by even 3–4 months can reduce membrane life from 3 years to just 10–12 months.
Real-life cost comparison
A family delayed filter change for 14 months. Result: ₹9,800 spent on new pump + membrane.
Another family followed the 6–8 month schedule. Their original pump and membrane are still running perfectly in year 7.
Replacement schedule for typical Indian water
- Sediment filter: ₹300–₹450 every 6–8 months
- Pre-carbon + post-carbon: ₹800–₹1,200 every 9–12 months
- RO membrane: ₹2,200–₹3,800 every 24–36 months
Total annual maintenance cost: ₹2,500–₹4,500 — less than one family dinner outside.
Pro tip: Set a reminder on your phone. Many customers now use annual care pack that includes timely filter delivery and free fitting.
2. Clean the RO Membrane Regularly — Don’t Wait for It to Choke Completely
Most brands tell you the membrane lasts 2–3 years and cannot be cleaned. That is only half-true. In Indian conditions, the membrane surface gets coated with calcium, magnesium, silica, and iron scaling within 12–18 months. A simple 30-minute cleaning can restore 80–90 % of original flow.
How to do it at home (costs ₹250–₹400)
- Buy RO membrane cleaning chemical powder (citric acid-based, ₹180 packet).
- Switch off inlet, remove membrane, soak it in the solution for 2–4 hours.
- Rinse thoroughly and reinstall.
Service teams clean membranes during every annual service — customers report 40–50 % better flow immediately and membrane life stretching to 4–5 years.
3. Maintain Correct Water Pressure — Too Low or Too High Both Kill the Machine
RO systems are designed for 0.8–2.2 kg/cm² pressure. Anything outside this range damages components silently.
Problems when pressure is wrong
- Below 0.6 kg/cm² → pump runs continuously, overheats, and fails in 18–24 months.
- Above 3 kg/cm² → membrane tears, solenoid valve bursts, fittings start leaking.
Solutions used by thousands of users
- Install a ₹350 pressure gauge at the inlet point. Check it once a month.
- If pressure is low (common in top-floor flats), add a ₹3,500–₹5,000 booster pump with auto cut-off.
- If pressure is too high (ground-floor homes with direct overhead tank), fit a ₹450 pressure-reducing valve.
One apartment in Thane saved ₹42,000 in five years just by installing these two small devices.
4. Get Annual Deep Servicing Done — The ₹1,500 That Saves ₹20,000
Think of it as the 40,000 km service for your car. Most people skip it and regret later.
What happens in a proper deep service (₹1,200–₹1,800 across India)
- Complete dismantling and ultrasonic cleaning of all parts
- Storage tank sanitisation (removes 3–7 years of biofilm)
- Pump oiling and pressure calibration
- Flow restrictor and solenoid valve cleaning/replacement
- UV lamp intensity check and free minor spares
Data from 2024 records: Machines that get annual deep servicing have 78 % fewer breakdown calls and last 2.8 times longer than neglected ones.
5. Prevent Overuse and Dry Running — The Silent Killers No One Talks About
Two habits destroy more RO systems in India than all other reasons combined.
- Overuse
Leaving the purifier switched on 24×7 even when the storage tank is full and no one is drawing water. The pump keeps trying to push water against closed valves → overheating → winding failure.
Fix: Always switch off the purifier when going out of station for more than 2–3 days. Modern purifier models have auto shut-off when tank is full — ask for this feature while buying.
- Dry running
Forgetting to open the inlet valve after filter change or running the motor when the overhead tank is empty.
Fix: Install a ₹650 low-pressure switch (LPS) that automatically stops the pump if water is not coming in.
Final Thoughts
A water purifier is not a one-time purchase — it is a long-term health investment for your family. Treat it with the same care you give your car or air-conditioner and it will reward you with 12–15 years of trouble-free service instead of repeated ₹20,000 replacements every 4–5 years.
At SKF Elixer, we build domestic purifiers and plants that are designed for Indian realities — high TDS, voltage fluctuations, dusty environments, and hard water. When customers follow these five simple rules, we regularly see our 2015–2017 installations still delivering 3–5 litres per minute flow with original pumps and membranes.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
-
1. How do I know when filters actually need replacement?
Check purified water TDS every month with a ₹249 digital meter. If it rises above 90–100 ppm or flow drops below 50 %, change filters immediately.
-
2. Can I clean the membrane myself or should I call a technician?
You can clean it yourself twice. After the second cleaning, let a technician inspect — sometimes scaling is too deep and needs special chemicals.
-
3. My society has hard water (900 ppm TDS). How often should I change filters?
Sediment + carbon every 5–6 months, membrane cleaning every 10–12 months. Hard water areas need 30–40 % more frequent care.
-
4. Is it safe to keep the purifier switched on 24×7?
Only if your model has tank-full auto cut-off and low-pressure protection. Otherwise switch off at night or when leaving home.
-
5. What is the average lifespan of a well-maintained domestic RO plant?
12–15 years with proper care. With proper service, the purifiers can still look and perform like new.
Good reads are meant to be shared
Related Products
Fill out the form to receive a no-obligation price quote
Related Products
