Providing quality drinking water at home is becoming a priority for every family, and one of the most popular solutions on the market is a reverse osmosis system. Model Geyser Prestige has proven itself as a reliable and effective filter, capable of removing up to 98% of dissolved impurities, including hardness salts and chlorine. However, in order for the system to work correctly and provide you with clean water for many years, it is necessary to strictly follow the installation technology and the sequence of actions when starting up for the first time.
Many owners of apartments and private houses mistakenly believe that installing a filter is a task exclusively for professional plumbers and requires sophisticated equipment. In fact, the design Geyser Prestige designed for do-it-yourself installation, and the kit includes all the necessary fittings and tubes. The main thing is to carefully study the diagram, prepare the workplace and take your time when connecting the elements, since the tightness of the system is a critical parameter.
In this article, we will analyze in detail the entire connection process, from unpacking to the first flushing of the membrane, so that you can avoid common mistakes. You will learn how to properly insert a tee into a water supply, where to direct the drainage tail, and why it is important to flush the system before use. Correct installation guarantees a long service life of expensive cartridges and stable pressure in the storage tank.
Equipment and preparation of the workplace
Before starting installation work, you must unpack the box and lay out all the elements on a clean surface so as not to lose anything. Standard equipment Geyser Prestige includes three pre-cleaning flasks, a block with a membrane and a carbon post-filter, a storage tank, a clean water tap and a set of connecting tubes. Particular attention should be paid to the presence of a drainage coupling and a key for unscrewing the flasks, since without them further operation will be impossible.
To successfully connect, you will need a minimum set of tools that can be found in any home. You will need an adjustable wrench or a set of open-end wrenches, a screwdriver, scissors (special or regular with sharp blades) for cutting the pipes, and a bucket or bowl to drain the water when checking for leaks. It would be a good idea to have a flashlight ready, as the space under the sink is often poorly lit and you will have to monitor every connection.
☑️ Checking the contents
It is important to determine the installation location in advance, since the dimensions of the system reverse osmosis require free space. The filter unit is usually hung on the wall or placed at the bottom of a cabinet, and the tank is installed next to it. Make sure that the length of the tubes (usually 1.5-2 meters) is enough to connect all the nodes without tension, which can lead to depressurization under pressure.
Assembling filter modules and installing membrane
The first stage of assembly is the preparation of the filter units themselves, since they are supplied disassembled for ease of transportation. You need to screw the modules into the corresponding flasks, observing the order specified in the product data sheet. Typically, the first three flasks are designed for mechanical cleaning and chlorine removal, and the membrane block and post-charcoal filter have specific markings and thread sizes.
Particular attention should be paid to installation reverse osmosis membrane, which is the heart of the system. The membrane is inserted into the block body, after which an o-ring is put on the end and the lid is screwed on. It is critical not to damage the rubber seals or overtighten the lid, as this can lead to deformation of the plastic and leaks under high water pressure.
⚠️ Attention: Before screwing the lids onto the flasks, be sure to lubricate the rubber O-rings with silicone grease (often included) or simply moisten them with water. Dry rubber may spin or tear when screwed on, causing leakage.
After assembling the modules, they must be placed in their designated places on the bracket or simply installed vertically, if the design allows. There is no need to connect the tubes yet, the main thing is to securely fix the filter elements themselves. Proper assembly at this stage will ensure there are no pressure problems in the future.
Installation of a drinking water tap and connection to a water supply system
Installing a separate tap for clean water is a mandatory requirement for reverse osmosis systems, since purified water should not be mixed with tap water. The faucet is usually mounted on the kitchen sink or countertop next to the main faucet. If there is no additional hole on the sink, you can drill it yourself using a metal or ceramic drill with a diameter of 12 mm, or plug one of the holes for the detergent dispenser.
The process of tapping into the water supply network begins with shutting off the cold water and installing a shut-off valve-tee. This tee is mounted between the cold water pipe and the hose going to the mixer or flexible connection. Sealing tape must be wound around the threaded connections. FUM tape or thread is used Tangitto eliminate the possibility of leaks at metal joints.
If you are drilling a hole in an enamel sink, start drilling at low speed without applying too much pressure to avoid cracking the enamel. It is better to use a special diamond-coated drill for ceramics.
After installing the tee and tap, you need to check their reliability by briefly opening the water. At this stage, the filter system is not yet connected; only the tightness of the threaded connections in the water supply network is checked. Make sure that the faucet on the sink operates smoothly and that the tee does not leak even with full water pressure in the pipes.
Connecting pipes and drain valve
The most crucial point is to connect all the system components using polyethylene tubes. The tubes are cut strictly at right angles using a special cutter or very sharp scissors so that the cut is even and round. An oblique or flattened cut will not provide a tight connection to the fitting, and water will leak out even with low pressure.
Tube connection diagram Geyser Prestige usually looks like this: from the water supply tee, the tube goes to the inlet of the first flask (P1), then the water passes through the pre-filters and enters the membrane inlet. From the membrane, clean water goes into the tank, and the concentrate (dirty water) is drained into the sewer through the drain valve. It is important not to confuse the inputs and outputs, which are indicated on the filter housings and on the diagram in the instructions.
| Port No. | Purpose | Where to connect | Tube diameter |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Water inlet | From the water pipe tee | 1/4 inch |
| 2 | Drainage | To the sewer (via a coupling) | 1/4 inch |
| 3 | Clean water | To the storage tank | 1/4 inch |
| 4 | To post filter | At the inlet of the carbon filter | 1/4 inch |
The drain valve (concentrate pump or just a tail) fits into the sink siphon or a separate outlet of the sewer pipe. For this, a special coupling with a rubber seal is used, which is placed over the hole in the sewer pipe. The tube from the filter is inserted into the coupling until it stops, ensuring the outflow of contaminated water directly into the drain, preventing the backflow of sewer gases.
Setting up the storage tank and turning it on for the first time
The storage tank is a buffer tank where a supply of clean water is stored under pressure. Before connecting, it is necessary to check the air pressure in the hydrophore, which should be approximately 0.4–0.6 atmospheres (bar). To check, a regular car pressure gauge is used, connected to a nipple on the tank, similar to a bicycle one.
After checking the pressure, the tank is connected to the system through a special tap, which is included in the kit. This tap has two positions: closed and open. At the initial stage, during flushing, the tap must be closed so that water does not enter the tank, but goes directly to the spill through the drainage. This allows you to quickly rinse the membrane of the preservative.
⚠️ Attention: The pressure in the water supply must be at least 3 atmospheres for stable operation of the membrane. If the pressure is lower, purified water may not flow into the tank, or the filling process may take several hours. In such cases, installation of a booster pump is required.
When all the tubes are connected, you can smoothly open the water supply valve on the tee. In the first minutes, the system will fill with water and flow will flow from the drainage tube. Don't be alarmed if the water comes with air bubbles - this is normal. It is also possible that a black tint may appear in the water due to coal dust from the new post-filter, which is also acceptable.
Flushing the system and putting it into operation
First launch Geyser Prestige requires mandatory washing of all cartridges, especially the membrane and carbon blocks. The water that passes through the system in the first 30–60 minutes is not potable and must be disposed of down the drain. To do this, open the tap on the tank (if it was closed) and the drinking water tap on the sink, allowing the system to operate in filtration mode.
The initial flushing process takes on average about an hour, during which it is necessary to fill and empty the storage tank several times. This is necessary to wash out the preservative with which the membrane is impregnated and coal dust. Only after 3-4 cycles of completely filling the tank can water be considered conditionally suitable for consumption, although it is better to wait for a full cycle.
Why can water foam?
During the first days of use, white bubbles may appear in a glass of purified water. This is not chemicals or soap, but ordinary air that has dissolved in water under high pressure in the tank and is released when the tap is opened. After a few days this phenomenon will disappear.
Once flushing is complete, turn off the valve on the tank, wait until it refills, and turn off the water supply overnight to check the system for pressure leaks. If by morning it is dry under the sink and the connections are dry, it means the installation was successful and the system is ready for daily use. Change filters regularly according to regulations to ensure water quality remains at a high level.
The quality of water directly depends on the timely replacement of cartridges: the mechanics are changed once every six months, the membrane - once every 1.5-2 years, and the carbon post-filter - once a year.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
How often do you need to change cartridges in Geyser Prestige?
The cartridge life depends on the quality of the source water and the volume of consumption. Mechanical filters (1st and 3rd stage) are recommended to be changed every 3–6 months, carbon prefilter - once every 6 months. The membrane lasts from 1.5 to 2.5 years, and the carbon post-filter lasts 1 year. If the performance of the tank decreases or the taste of the water changes, it is worth replacing earlier.
Why does the tank take so long to fill or not fill at all?
The most common reason is low pressure in the water supply (less than 2.5–3 atmospheres). The problem may also be a clogged membrane or low air pressure in the tank itself (check the nipple). If the network pressure is normal, the membrane may need to be replaced.
Do I need to boil water after a reverse osmosis filter?
Water after high-quality reverse osmosis, such as Geyser Prestige, has already been mechanically cleared of bacteria and viruses, so boiling is not required. However, if the filter has not been used for more than a week, it is better to drain or boil the first portion of water to be on the safe side.
You hear a hum or gurgle when the filter operates, is this normal?
The sound of flowing water and periodic gurgling in the drain tube is the normal operating condition of the system. The hum may occur due to vibration of the tubes against the cabinet walls; in this case, they should be secured or vibration-proof material should be laid.
Is it possible to install the filter in an unheated room?
Absolutely not. At temperatures below +5°C, the water inside the flasks and membrane may freeze, causing rupture of the housings and irreversible damage to the membrane. The system should be kept in a warm room all year round.