If your water contains hardness minerals, iron, or manganese, the quartz sleeve may require periodic cleaning. Mineral buildup on the sleeve can reduce how effectively UV light passes through the chamber.
Follow the steps below to clean or replace the quartz sleeve safely.
Before You Begin
Before servicing the quartz sleeve, make sure the system is fully powered down and isolated from water flow.
To prepare the system:
- Disconnect power to the UV system
- Shut off the incoming water supply
- Drain the UV chamber using the drain port
- Place a bucket under the unit to catch water during service
Proper shutdown helps reduce electrical risk and prevent water spills during maintenance.
Removing the Quartz Sleeve
The UV lamp must be removed before accessing the quartz sleeve. Handle the lamp and sleeve carefully, as both are fragile glass components.
Follow these steps to remove the sleeve:
- Remove the chamber nuts.
- Check for the free-floating spring inside the sleeve at the opposite end of the lamp connection.
- Carefully slide out the quartz sleeve. Do not allow it to fall.
- Remove the O-rings from both ends of the sleeve.
O-rings may stick to the sleeve during removal. Inspect them carefully and replace them annually if needed.
Cleaning the Quartz Sleeve
If the quartz sleeve is not damaged, it can be cleaned and reused.
To clean the sleeve:
- Wipe the outside of the sleeve with a cloth soaked in CLR, vinegar, or another mild acid.
- Rinse the outside of the sleeve.
- Avoid allowing water inside the sleeve.
- Make sure the sleeve is clean and dry before reinstalling it.
Do not reinstall a cracked or damaged quartz sleeve.
Reinstalling the Quartz Sleeve
Once cleaned or replaced, the sleeve must be properly reinstalled to ensure correct operation.
To reassemble:
- Insert the sleeve with the spring back into the UV chamber
- Allow the sleeve to protrude an equal distance from both ends
- Wet the O-rings and slide them onto each end of the sleeve
- Reinstall the gland nuts (hand tight only)
After reassembly, restore water flow slowly and check for leaks before reconnecting power.
After Service
Once the quartz sleeve and UV lamp are reinstalled, restore the system carefully before returning it to normal operation.
Follow these steps:
- Slowly restore water flow.
- Check all connections for leaks.
- Reconnect the system to power.
- Confirm the system is operating normally.
If the system was bypassed, temporarily removed, or contaminated after the UV chamber, additional treatment is required before normal water use resumes.
In these cases:
- Shock the system with household bleach
- Allow the bleach to remain in the system for a full 20 minutes
- Flush the system thoroughly before returning it to normal operation
This helps ensure the water lines are properly treated before the UV system is placed back into service.