Could RO filter be damaging Water Heater!?!?

[pjewett]

Hi All,

I live in a two-story home in the top half in an apartment. I've been using an RO filter in our bath tub a couple times a week for some time.

On two occasions (including this morning) we've lost hot water and I believe it's because the guy downstairs (who controls it) has turned it off. The first time I had been using the filter in our sink and after a few uses we lost hot water and the landlord got to work fixing it. He called me and asked if I had done anything with the plumbing like install some weird shower heads but I didn't mention the RO filter at first.

Somehow it all got fixed and life went on as I've been using the RO filter regularly for a few months now. Today's it's happened again and I swear I heard a lot of banging and rucus last night and I'm hoping that wasn't him getting angry that something went wrong again.

Could the RO filter be causing this due to back pressure or something else? I don't have a pressure gauge or anthing. I just have the filter hooked right up to the shower with ball valves that I turn on or off depending on whether I'm showering or making water.

Any thoughts?

 

[masterswimmer]

The only thing that comes to mind is the sound of water flowing. Since you say you live in the top half of a two story home, he might hear water flowing for (albeit a slow rate) hours on end. Whether he hears the flow or the drain or both it might be disconcerting to him. It could almost sound like a leak to someone who isn't aware of it.

JM $.02,
swimmer

 

[da5speed]

I was told i cant make water at night anymore cause it keeps people up.

 

[Bob 1000]

The only way it can disturb a hot water heater is if it isn't hooked up right... cold water should be the only water turned on when your making water if not then that could be a problem..

 

[ming]

The RO does not put any additional pressure then what is already there. If anything, turning off the faucet will put more pressure.

I also only use cold water for my RO, although it will make your water production slower, I'm not on any time limit

 

[pjewett]

The only way it can disturb a hot water heater is if it isn't hooked up right... cold water should be the only water turned on when your making water if not then that could be a problem..

I absolutely only use cold water when making my RO water. I've not heard a complaint yet about noise but I never thought of that. Typically I make my water during the day on Saturday's but sometimes I'll set it up in the tub during the week and let it run over night...like I did night before last so I'd have top off water for the week.

Like I said..after I hooked up night before last I heard some noise of him bustling around in the basement and voila....we have NO hot water in our apartment.....water comes out when you turn the hot knob..just not hot..ice cold.

I just don't want to find out that I'm somehow causing this issue with my RO filter...possibly angering my landlord.

I guess I'll know more tonight if I have to stop down there and inquire about the loss of hot water.

Thanks all for the input.