rodi install-terrible idea?

TriggerFinger · Feb 21, 2019

I want my rodi installed in the basement but I need a hose spigot added down there first. My plumber is booked and can’t make it over for a few weeks yet. I have a way to run a garden hose from the outside spigot, through a hole in the exterior wall and down into the basement. I would like to start making water now. It would only be temporary until the plumber can squeeze me in.

The only problem I foresee is the outside temperature dropping below freezing overnight and busting a hose or more likely making the source water too cold for the rodi unit to function properly. I plan on feeding as much garden hose as possible into the basement so the only length of hose exposed to the outside would be roughly 4 feet.

I don’t want to temp install the unit with the laundry or under any sinks on the main level because there is nowhere to put a container for the di water or anywhere to drain the waste line. I don’t want the waste line fed into any of my home plumbing because I’m on a septic system.

My plumber is actually the one who suggested I do this temporarily until he can make it over but I’m getting a lot of eye rolls from family about this idea.

Terrible idea??

RMS18 · Feb 21, 2019

Maybe not so bad as long as you can insulate the 4 feet that are outside well enough? I know the feeling of when you want something you want it now, that's me all day lol. So if i was in your shoes i'd be doing this.

TriggerFinger · Feb 21, 2019

I thought about the insulation too. I’m sure I can come up with something. It would be right up against the house but it’s a shaded area so it might be tricky.

The plumber is doing me a favor and not charging for the spigot adding so I don’t want to bug him. I’ve been trying to figure out a way to make water for like 2 months lolol. I have a 2 year old daughter so that severely limits the place I can put the unit and then the septic tank issue limits me too. The basement is really the only place the baby can’t get to it.

Personally, I thought the plumber had a genius idea;Happy

Thanks for feeling my pain

5altkreep · Feb 21, 2019

I dont think garden hose is a good idea.
I bought a Y adaptor and put it on the cold water line by my wash machine. Or maybe you could remove your shower head and hook up there?

dwest · Feb 21, 2019

5altkreep said:
I dont think garden hose is a good idea.
I bought a Y adaptor and put it on the cold water line by my wash machine. Or maybe you could remove your shower head and hook up there?

However, as long as the water is moving, it’s very unlikely to freeze.

TriggerFinger · Feb 21, 2019

5altkreep said:
I dont think garden hose is a good idea.
I bought a Y adaptor and put it on the cold water line by my wash machine. Or maybe you could remove your shower head and hook up there?

My showers are on the 2nd level and my tank is in the basement. That’s 36 stairs I would have to carry 5 gallon buckets down...enough buckets to make 120 gallons of water. Also, nowhere to drain the waste line since it can’t go through my home plumbing. Good idea but won’t work for me.

Sod Buster · Feb 21, 2019

Get a y hose splitter & put it on the washing machine cold pipe. Put the waste water into the washing machine if it's a top loader. Do your laundry when 1/2 full.

saintsreturn · Feb 21, 2019

I would avoid the hose in colder climates. It could and most likely will work fine, but just not what i would do. That said, where is your water heater? Do you have a booster pump? You could tap the water heater in line (i did) and just run the tubing to where you want your RODI to be permanently. I did this in my garage. Only issue i ran into was reducing my pressure by about 20lbs, so i added a boosted pump and away she went.

saintsreturn · Feb 21, 2019

Forgot to add, if you have no water downstairs and with tubing being so cheap, you could always hook it to something with a y or t and then run the tubing along the baseboards to its location.

Slim64684 · Feb 21, 2019

TriggerFinger said:
I thought about the insulation too. I’m sure I can come up with something. It would be right up against the house but it’s a shaded area so it might be tricky.

The plumber is doing me a favor and not charging for the spigot adding so I don’t want to bug him. I’ve been trying to figure out a way to make water for like 2 months lolol. I have a 2 year old daughter so that severely limits the place I can put the unit and then the septic tank issue limits me too. The basement is really the only place the baby can’t get to it.

Personally, I thought the plumber had a genius idea;Happy

Thanks for feeling my pain

Where do you live? Running a hose under or even better through a straw bale will insulate it while making water, then just unhook the hose and bring inside when done.

TriggerFinger · Feb 21, 2019

Slim64684 said:
Where do you live? Running a hose under or even better through a straw bale will insulate it while making water, then just unhook the hose and bring inside when done.

Hay bale is a great idea!! St Louis Missouri here. Warmer days are coming, just not today. And I want to make water 2 months ago.

Gonebad395 · Feb 21, 2019

I would wait why risk it? And watch a Y fixture don’t go cheap on this route I had one on my RODI unit and it split in the middle of the night and flooded my hallway and I had to rip up the floor. If you go the Y route don’t go cheap. If it was me I would wait if you just got the unit you waited this long why not wait a little longer to be done right.

TriggerFinger · Feb 21, 2019

Gonebad395 said:
I would wait why risk it? And watch a Y fixture don’t go cheap on this route I had one on my RODI unit and it split in the middle of the night and flooded my hallway and I had to rip up the floor. If you go the Y route don’t go cheap. If it was me I would wait if you just got the unit you waited this long why not wait a little longer to be done right.

Would you recommend a brass Y then? Do I NEED a y? I only need this hook up long ehough for my 75gpd unit to make roughly 120 gallons of water.

Gonebad395 · Feb 21, 2019

That’s what I used and it split so just don’t skimp lol

TriggerFinger · Feb 21, 2019

Soo...what do you guys do with your ro units when you’re not making water?
Do you shut off the water running to the ro unit & just keep the filters wet?

Sod Buster · Feb 21, 2019

I have the marriage saver. It has a shutoff solenoid that is inline before the RO membrane. The sediment, & 2 carbon block chambers hold water pressure. The rest has no pressure. I use it every couple days, so no creep or pressure on the membrane unless in use. I flush the membrane every 2 weeks, my tds to the di cartridges is always 3 or less.

cloggins · Feb 21, 2019

Am I the only one who thought, "Heat tape?"

https://smile.amazon.com/Frost-King-HC6A-Automatic-Electric/dp/B000IKOU9O

Blackice615 · Feb 21, 2019

I unhook my unit but I only make water once a month for my 125. I then transport it to and from the basement. As anxious as I am, I wouldn't rush things in your case. I'll be in STL next week and the temps wont be that bad.

Sod Buster · Feb 21, 2019

Heat tape requires an outlet close enough to the spigot. Still needs to pay 20 bucks and insulate the hose. The water will be 50 degrees regardless out of it with nothing. Don't let that water freeze though, that will be thousands.