What Is Done in RO Servicing? A 10-Step Checklist

By Sanchit Jain, RO technician and owner of Sanchit Enterprises, Roorkee (since 2014). Updated October 2026.

RO servicing means checking and cleaning every stage of your water purifier so it keeps giving safe, good-tasting water. A proper service tests the water before and after, inspects the pre-filter, carbon filters, RO membrane and UV lamp, cleans the storage tank, checks the pump and valves for leaks or wear, and replaces only the parts that are actually due.

Here is the checklist our technicians follow on every visit in Roorkee and Haridwar, so you know what to expect and what to ask for.

The 10 steps of a proper RO service

1. Test the input water. A TDS meter reading of your tap or borewell water tells us how hard the purifier has to work.
2. Test the purified water. The output TDS and taste show whether the membrane is still doing its job.
3. Check the flow. We time how fast the purifier fills. Slow filling points to a choked filter or worn membrane.
4. Open and clean the pre-filter housing. Sand and rust collect here first. The sediment cartridge is replaced if it is choked.
5. Check the carbon filters. These remove chlorine, smell and bad taste. An exhausted carbon filter shows up as a smell or odd taste.

Steps 6 to 10 cover the parts inside the purifier.

6. Check the RO membrane. Using the TDS and flow readings, we decide whether it needs flushing, cleaning or replacement.
7. Check the UV lamp or UF stage. A UV lamp can stop working while the purifier still runs, so we test it.
8. Drain, clean and sanitise the storage tank. Slime builds up in the tank even when the filters are fine.
9. Check the pump, solenoid valve, float and fittings. We look for leaks, noise and loose connections.
10. Set the TDS and test again. Finally we adjust the TDS controller or mineral setting for your water and record the readings.

How long RO servicing takes

A complete service usually takes 30 to 45 minutes. If filters or the membrane need replacing, add another 15 to 20 minutes. A technician who is in and out in ten minutes has almost certainly skipped steps.

For commercial plants and RO water coolers in shops, hotels and factories, servicing takes longer because there are more stages and a bigger tank to clean.

Signs your RO servicing was rushed

• No TDS reading was taken before or after.
• The storage tank was not opened or cleaned.
• Filters were replaced without showing you the old ones.
• You were told the membrane must be replaced without any flow or TDS test.
• No bill or service date was given.

Ask for the before and after readings. The Indian standard for drinking water, BIS IS 10500, sets 500 mg/L of total dissolved solids as the acceptable limit, and a good technician will explain where your water stands.

How often you need RO servicing

For most homes, every 3 to 6 months is right. Hard borewell water, a large family or heavy use means more frequent visits. In Roorkee we often see pre-filters choke within three months after the monsoon because the supply carries more silt.

The easy way to stay on schedule is a yearly RO AMC plan, which includes the visits and reminders. If only a filter is due, see our guide to RO filter and membrane change.

RO servicing: frequently asked questions

Does RO servicing always mean changing filters?

No. A service checks every stage, and filters are changed only when the readings show they are due.

Can I service my RO myself?

You can clean the outside and change an external pre-filter. Opening the purifier, testing the membrane and checking electrical parts is best left to a technician.

Is tank cleaning part of RO servicing?

It should be. The storage tank can grow slime even when the filters are fine, so ask for it on every visit.

Do you service all brands?

Yes. We service Kent, Aquaguard, Pureit, Livpure and every other brand in Roorkee and Haridwar.

Related: RO service in Roorkee · RO AMC plans · RO service in Haridwar

More RO guides: Is RO water good for health? · Best RO brand for home · Which RO service is best? · How often to change RO filter