I am still appalled at the way that some dealers in this business install equipment in customers homes and businesses. I have seen saddle valves installed behind angle stops so that when the saddle valve fails the pipe must be cut back to eliminate the pierced pipe. Some R/O systems were so hard to get out from under the sink the drain pipes had to be dismantled and the doors to the cabinetry removed to get the unit out. How is the customer to deal with the service of an R/O system if a service man has trouble just trying to install it ? I believe the installation is one of the most important things to consider when selecting R/O equipment, because the water is only as good as the persons ability to service the unit.

If it's to difficult to service than it wont get done that is the main reason why I invented RO/CONN. I have seen the R/O drain line run directly to the drain no air gap used and where the drain connection is made, the tube is just stuck through a hole in the pipe and siliconed in place. I have seen units hooked up to hot water and backwards so the customer is drinking the concentrate. I have even seen units hooked up without a flow control and water just pouring freely into the drain. These problems are not limited to R/O installations they also include water softener installs as well, but we will just stick to R/O's. I realize that some of these installs are done by the homeowner as well.

The water dealer has to be more aware of the kind of installations that are going on in this business. Poor installations affect the industry as a whole because if one customer receives a good installation and one customer receives a poor installation that must be corrected again and again, you can bet that the customer that received the poor installation is only going to have negative things to say about their R/O system, and this hurts everyone. Its just like going out to eat, if you find a poor restaurant you are more likely to tell people about the poor service or food than good service because good service is always expected.

Better Access
There are six main issues of the WQA plumbing code task force, one of which is " better access for installation, service and repair." A service disconnect manifold or junction assembly makes an R/O system more accessible. Located under the sink and mounted to the front this accessory would include clearly marked ball valves and be wall mounted. It would also include two connector unions- the spigot connector, which is a place to disconnect the product water line; and a drain connector, which is a place to disconnect the R/O drain-as well as a tee connector for the icemaker by-pass valve. This system would allow the home owner or the service person to easily remove the system from under the sink so that routine maintenance and sanitation of that system can be more effective. In the event of any water leak from under the sink the R/O system can be immediately removed so repairs to the customers plumbing can be better performed. If the service person makes it easy for the customer to address their own plumbing failures, then they are less likely to call you.

Ice-makers
My water business is in Arizona which means we are hooked up to many icemakers. When icemakers malfunction we also get calls about no ice. The first thing that I ask a customer is "if you turn the R/O spigot on, does water come out?" If the answer is yes the problem lies with the icemaker. Most likely a stuck valve that opens and closes as the icemaker demands water located at the back of the refrigerator. I tell the customer they need to call for appliance repair. The customer should turn off the water to the refrigerator in case the valve is partially open so a mass of ice does not form on the ice tray. If the original installer did not use a by-pass valve downstream from the tee to the icemaker then the customer will have to shut off the R/O and drain the storage tank. Of coarse this means they will have no purified water until the icemaker can be repaired.