RODI fail #1

glb · Jun 29, 2015

So I'm really excited about my new RODI unit:

I have all the hoses hooked up. I wanted to use my kitchen faucet, which looks like this:

So I took off the decorative part and bought an adapter:

I rinsed out each section first and when I put the whole thing together and turned on the water, I had water spraying out the top of the adapter like the fountains of Bellagio. I tightened everything and tried again. More fountain. So...does this mean this faucet is out? I want to replace the decorative part when I'm not making water. Should the water connection be more of a permanent thing so I don't have to screw and unscrew it? I could try the washing machine cold water line but the sink would be so much easier. Is there any way to temporarily stop the leak (it's where the adapter meets the faucet) that's reversible and won't damage the finish on my faucet? I only want to see Bellagio in Las Vegas.

saltyphish · Jun 29, 2015

try Teflon tape on the threads. Maybe it is not sealing well there.

redfishbluefish · Jun 29, 2015

There are a couple different threadings on faucet ends. You need to buy the correct adapter.

EDIT TO ADD:

Going back and looking at your picture, it looks like your adapter is a female connector. A lot of faucets also have threads to connect via male connector. Check out THIS gizmo from Air Water and Ice and check if it will fit your setup.

saltyphish · Jun 29, 2015

redfishbluefish said:
There are a couple different threadings on faucet ends. You need to buy the correct adapter.

True, I ran into this at first myself. Some threads are coarse and some fine

glb · Jun 29, 2015

saltyphish said:
try Teflon tape on the threads. Maybe it is not sealing well there.

If I do this can I take it on and off? I don't want it on the kitchen faucet all the time.

glb · Jun 29, 2015

saltyphish said:
True, I ran into this at first myself. Some threads are coarse and some fine

I just bought an adapter with 1/2" on the faucet side and 3/4" on the other side. It's only leaking on the 1/2" side as far as I can tell. Since I can't take my faucet to the store with me, how will I know I'm getting the right one?

redfishbluefish · Jun 29, 2015

glb said:
I just bought an adapter with 1/2" on the faucet side and 3/4" on the other side. It's only leaking on the 1/2" side as far as I can tell. Since I can't take my faucet to the store with me, how will I know I'm getting the right one?

Check my edit above......threads also on the inside of the faucet.

saltyphish · Jun 29, 2015

Maybe take the piece you unscrewed from the faucet with you and see if someone there can help you match it up.

glb · Jun 29, 2015

saltyphish said:
Maybe take the piece you unscrewed from the faucet with you and see if someone there can help you match it up.

Perfect. Thanks!

glb · Jun 29, 2015

I forgot to mention that when I put the decorative end back on, it leaked too. I may have to seal it and find another faucet to use.

kschweer · Jun 29, 2015

You can try one of these, they have worked for me on just about any sink. It has both the inside and outside threads so should work for you. Many of the adapters need a gasket or o-ring and is probably why the one you picked up leaked.

Paulday · Jun 29, 2015

Y not just put under the sink and get water from supply line to faucet This way u don't have to keep disconnecting

rlman41299 · Jun 29, 2015

Correct me if I am wrong but why not use the cold water outlet under the sink? I could be wrong but you could run the system dry by disconnecting/connecting the ro unit and that would not be good for the membrane. Plus what if you introduced bacteria (biofilm) in the system by frequent disconnection.

redfishbluefish · Jun 29, 2015

Yes. If you wish to connect under your sink HERE is the adapter that can easily be installed on your cold water line.

AZDesertRat · Jun 30, 2015

Some faucets are not designed to be pressurized such as with a faucet adapter, I have run across several like that. I prefer using the washing machine cold water feed with a garden hose wye or the feed water adapter under the sink versus a faucet adapter. For one it ties your sink up for hours on end and for another you need to disconnect it each time while with the other two options it can remain hooked up.

glb · Jun 30, 2015

AZDesertRat said:
Some faucets are not designed to be pressurized such as with a faucet adapter, I have run across several like that. I prefer using the washing machine cold water feed with a garden hose wye or the feed water adapter under the sink versus a faucet adapter. For one it ties your sink up for hours on end and for another you need to disconnect it each time while with the other two options it can remain hooked up.

Those are both good options. I have easy access to the washing machine hookup. Is there a standard plumbing way to know which faucet is cold or hot (left or right) without taking it apart? Also, here's the hookup under my kitchen sink. Would I have to get a plumber to set it up?

redfishbluefish · Jun 30, 2015

glb said:
Also, here's the hookup under my kitchen sink. Would I have to get a plumber to set it up?

No plumber necessary, assuming you can use simple tools. Note the little gizmo I linked in post 14. On your cold water line under the sink (the one on the right), install this fitting. Attach the RO/DI line to this fitting and you're now good to go. Note that the waste line from the RO/DI unit will have to go into the sink, unless you also purchase the waste line adapter for the drain on the sink.

acolotto · Jun 30, 2015

glb said:
Those are both good options. I have easy access to the washing machine hookup. Is there a standard plumbing way to know which faucet is cold or hot (left or right) without taking it apart? Also, here's the hookup under my kitchen sink. Would I have to get a plumber to set it up?

Turn your water on all the way hot, grab both hoses and feel what one has hot water running through it. The one that does not is your cold water line. Nope just turn the water off with the knob, screw in a y-valve with knobs to control which side water is coming out of. I leave my cold washer line open and the RO/DI side closed and open whenever i need to make water.

glb · Jun 30, 2015

acolotto said:
Turn your water on all the way hot, grab both hoses and feel what one has hot water running through it. The one that does not is your cold water line. Nope just turn the water off with the knob, screw in a y-valve with knobs to control which side water is coming out of. I leave my cold washer line open and the RO/DI side closed and open whenever i need to make water.

Thanks. Do I need to use Teflon tape or anything else to seal the connection if I use the washer line? Also, if I turn the washer water on, will it simply drain into the washer? Sorry but I know nothing about plumbing!

AZDesertRat · Jun 30, 2015

Hot is on the left and cold is on the right per the Uniform Plumbing Code.

The garden hose Wye is straight hose threads and uses a rubber gasket or O ring as a seal just like a garden hose. The hose thread adapter the RO or RO/DI comes with should also have a gasket or O ring in it as the seal. Make sure to get the wye adapter that has individual ball valves so you can shut the RO off when you are not using it. You should not need to do anything on the washer side and it will remain on all the time.
http://www.amazon.com/Orbit-58248-Garden-Y-Connector-Shut-Off/dp/B000YDVRH8