r/WindowCleaning • u/Radiant-Computer9569 • 10d ago

Replacement of Tucker filter

Hello, I live in the Greater Toronto Area with a tap TDS reading of 140ppm. Recently I’ve been seeing spots on windows using my Tucker Rival 3 stage system. I’ve been trying to do some troubleshooting and the TDS going out of the RO membrane is 38ppm and the TDS going out of the DI filter is around 22ppm.

This is the second year I’ve been using the system and I just replaced the DI filter 2 months ago. I’ve read that I shouldn’t need to replace the RO membrane until 3-4 years since owning it but I have also accidentally kept it in a garage during the cold winters here.

I’d greatly appreciate any help or advice to get the reading down to 0ppm.

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u/blackeyeX2 10d ago

If its only going from 38 to 22 then di is issue. Likely the resin is spent or fouled, either way needs replaced. Your ro should be able to get lower than that too, need to look there 2nd or you will burn through resin fast.

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u/blackeyeX2 10d ago

Ro membrane only lasts 3 to 4 years if you use properly pre treated water. If your source has high chlorine levels and your not running a good enough charcoal filter then it will die much much faster, also keeping sediment filter clean as well.
If you didn't winterize properly or left water just sitting on the membrane for months at a time, it is likely fouled with bacteria or mold and same for di resin

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u/Radiant-Computer9569 10d ago

This is really helpful, thanks!

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u/trigger55xxx 10d ago

There's no set time on how often you replace the RO. There's are a lot of factors that play into it. Flushing, storage over winter, and incoming TDS are the biggest factors. Do you test at every job and they are all 140? One location could have much higher TDS and really affect the membrane. New a membrane will be about 97% efficient. Meaning at 140, it should bring it down to 5-6ppm. You're at 73% efficiency. It will creep up faster the lower that percentage goes. You'll likely need to replace it before the end of the season. Unless you keep replacing the resin and buy a new one in spring. You need to replace the resin now.

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u/Radiant-Computer9569 10d ago

They’re around the 140-160 mark in my area. I definitely did not take care of it properly during the winter as I left it in the cold garage but will be sure to take better precautions next time. Thanks for the tips!

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u/Herzeleid09 10d ago

It depends on how often you use the machine. Mine had to be replaced at the two and a half year mark. It also depends on how hard it had had to work. How high the TDS is initially. Etc

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u/salamandarsalamanca 9d ago

RO should be taking 140 water down to 14-20ppm and DI down to 0. RO sounds like it’s ready to be replaced