A water purifier rarely fails without warning. In most homes we visit, the signs were there for weeks before the unit stopped working altogether. Here's what to watch for.
1. Water Flow Has Slowed Down
A choked pre-filter or a membrane nearing the end of its life both show up first as reduced flow. If filling a glass takes noticeably longer than it used to, it's worth a filter check before it stops entirely.
2. The Taste or Smell Has Changed
Water that suddenly tastes flat, slightly plasticky, or has any odour usually points to an overdue activated carbon filter, which is responsible for removing chlorine and organic taste/odour compounds.
3. Continuous Dripping From the Waste Outlet
RO systems are designed to reject some water as waste, but continuous, excessive dripping — especially after the storage tank is full — usually means a faulty solenoid valve or a worn-out check valve, both fixable in a routine visit.
4. The Purifier Has Crossed 6 Months Since Last Service
Even without obvious symptoms, most manufacturers recommend a filter/candle check every 3–6 months and a full service (including membrane inspection for RO units) roughly once a year. Waiting for a visible problem usually means the membrane or filters have already been working overtime.
5. TDS Reading Looks Off
If you've ever checked your purified water's TDS and it's higher than expected for an RO system, that's a fairly direct sign the membrane needs attention — this is one of the clearest, most objective signals available, and takes seconds to check.
None of these need to turn into an emergency. A routine service catches all five before they become a "no water at all" situation on a Sunday evening.
