How Clean Is Your Drinking Water?
Few things are as critical to our health and comfort as clean water. And if you’re like most homeowners, you simply assume that your tap water is as clean and healthful as it should be. But that’s not always the case.
Tap water can contain a variety of impurities, even it if looks, smells, and tastes fine. While some impurities are harmless, others can cause health concerns and wreak havoc on your pipes, fixtures, and water using appliances.
A whole house water filter is an effective way to ensure that the water in your home is clean and safe. But how do you know if your home can benefit from one? Start by reviewing the scenarios below.
HARD WATER
Hard water is water that contains high amounts of magnesium and calcium ions, which can build up in pipes, appliances, and fixtures. Telltale signs of hard water include mineral deposits on faucets and fixtures, soap that won’t lather, dull, limp hair after washing, and dry, itchy skin.
MURKY OR CLOUDY WATER
Most tap water contains trace amounts of contaminants that can’t be seen by the naked eye. These amounts are deemed safe by the Environmental Protection Agency. However, if your water is murky, cloudy, or tinged with color, it may have dangerous levels of contaminants that need to be removed.
BAD TASTE
Clean water should not have a strong taste. If yours tastes “off”, we recommend having it tested for contaminants and pollutants. A chlorine taste is usually the result of chemical disinfectants that are added to public water supplies. Metallic tasting water is likely due to a high concentration of metal like zinc, iron, and manganese. And if your water tastes moldy, earthy, or fishy, it could be due to algae bloom in the water source.
FUNNY SMELL
An unexpected odor from your tap water is a sure sign something is amiss. For instance, a rotten egg smell may mean the water has a higher-than-normal level of hydrogen sulfide gas, which is often caused by the metabolism of a non-harmful bacteria that reduces sulfates. While the presence of hydrogen sulfide gas is not inherently dangerous, it makes for an unpleasant water drinking experience.
ILLNESS
Fresh and clean water should relieve your thirst, not give you a stomach-ache. However, long-term exposure to certain contaminants can make you and your family sick. Since many of the hazardous contaminants have no taste or smell, it is especially important you have your water tested. Symptoms of gastrointestinal illness from contaminated water include diarrhea, abdominal cramps, nausea, and vomiting. If your household has at least one person who is elderly or immuno-compromised, more precautions are advised.
FREQUENT PLUMBING PROBLEMS
Your plumbing system is the area of your home most affected by contaminated water. Mineral build-up can damage pipes, resulting in frequent clogs and leaks. Plus, excess mineral deposits found in hard water can accumulate inside pipes over time, reducing water pressure.
HOW CLEAN IS YOUR WATER?
If one or more of these scenarios sound familiar to you, contact Best Choice Plumbers for a free water quality analysis to determine the causes of your water woes. From there, we’ll work with you to determine the most appropriate water filtration solution for your needs and budget. Contact us today to get started.