ServicesUnder-sink reverse osmosis
Reverse Osmosis Under the Sink in Bedford
We put in reverse osmosis systems under the sink that send filtered water for drinking and cooking to a dedicated faucet in your kitchen. Your water gets tested first, the system is sized for how your household uses it, and the faucet and drain are hooked up the way plumbing code requires.
What an RO system does, and when it makes sense
A reverse osmosis system sits in the cabinet under your sink. Water runs through a sediment prefilter, then a carbon filter, then a tight membrane that holds back dissolved minerals, lead and many trace contaminants. The clean water fills a small storage tank and comes out of a separate faucet.
It is a good fit if you want better drinking water, live in an older house with plumbing that could add lead, or just want extra assurance on what you and your kids drink. It is not a whole-house fix. If chlorine smell in the shower is the problem, whole-house carbon filtration is the better tool, and we will say so.
Most of what goes wrong with RO is the install, not the system. A drain line with no air gap or a feed tapped off the wrong pipe can cause problems for years. We do those parts to code from the start.
What the install includes
A water test before the quote
We check total dissolved solids, hardness and chlorine at your tap. If the numbers say you do not need RO, we tell you.
Air gap or approved drain connection
An RO system sends reject water down the drain. Plumbing code requires a way to keep drain water from backing up into your drinking water. We use an air gap faucet or a listed backflow device, and tie the drain line in above the trap.
Dedicated cold water shutoff
We add a shutoff valve on the cold line just for the system. You can service it later without turning off water to the whole kitchen.
Optional fridge or ice maker line
If you want RO water at the refrigerator, we can run a line to it. We will tell you if the run is too long to keep good pressure.
Flush, leak check and walkthrough
We flush the new filters, check every fitting under pressure and show you where the shutoff is. You get a simple filter change schedule written down.
Signs an under-sink RO system is worth a look
- You buy cases of bottled water
- If the tap is only for washing dishes, an RO faucet usually replaces the bottles and the trips to the store.
- Your plumbing is older
- Houses plumbed before the late 1980s may have lead solder on copper joints. RO is one of the better ways to cut lead at the glass you drink from. A test tells you if it is there.
- Coffee and ice taste off
- A flat or chemical taste in coffee, tea or ice cubes often comes from what is dissolved in the water. RO takes most of that out.
- White film on the kettle
- Spots on glasses and crust in the kettle point to high dissolved minerals. RO handles that at the drinking tap. For the whole house, look at water softeners after a hardness test.
- A test flagged something
- If a lab report or your own test showed a number you want lower, bring it to us. We will tell you plainly whether RO addresses it.
How the job goes
- 1
Phone call and water test
We talk through what bothers you about your water and test it. Then you get a written estimate with each part listed.
- 2
Permit and code check
Small under-sink installs often need no permit, but rules vary from city to city. We check what your city requires before the job and pull a permit if one is needed. Either way, the drain, backflow protection and fittings are done to the plumbing code.
- 3
Install day
We clear the cabinet, lay down drop cloths and mount the filters and tank. The faucet goes in an existing sprayer hole or a new hole we drill in the countertop. Most installs take a few hours.
- 4
Test and clean up
We flush the system, check for leaks, taste the water with you and haul off the packaging. The cabinet goes back the way we found it.
What moves the price
You get a written, line-item estimate before any work starts. The price comes from the system you choose and the setup under your sink. Nothing gets added on the day without you agreeing to it first.
- System type
- Tank or tankless, the number of filter stages and an optional remineralization stage all change the cost.
- Your countertop
- Using an existing sprayer hole costs less. Drilling granite or quartz takes a special bit and more time.
- Cabinet and drain layout
- A garbage disposal, a cramped cabinet or an odd drain setup can add parts and labor.
- Extra lines
- Running water to a refrigerator, ice maker or second faucet adds tubing, fittings and time.
- Permit, if required
- When the city calls for a permit, its fee is part of the job. We list it on the estimate.
Under-sink RO questions
- Does reverse osmosis waste a lot of water?
- Every RO system sends some water to the drain to flush the membrane. Newer designs waste much less than older ones. We go over the ratio for each option so you can weigh it.
- Do I need a permit for an under-sink RO system?
- Often not, but it depends on your city. We check before we start. If one is required, we pull it and handle the inspection.
- Will it lower the water pressure at my sink?
- Your main kitchen faucet works the same as before. The RO faucet flows slower than a regular tap, which is normal. A glass fills in a few seconds.
- How often do the filters need changing?
- Prefilters usually every six to twelve months, and the membrane every few years, depending on your water and how much you use. Our filter replacement and maintenance service can keep track of that for you.
- Does RO strip out the good minerals?
- It removes most dissolved minerals, good and bad. Most people get their minerals from food, not water. If you prefer the taste with them, we can add a remineralization stage.
- Can it go somewhere other than the kitchen?
- Yes. A wet bar or bathroom sink works if there is cabinet space, a cold line and a drain. We look at it during the visit.
Find out if RO fits your water
Tell us about your sink and what bothers you about your water. We will explain the options, the code steps and what a test would show.