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.

But neither such occurrence is particularly probable.

Instead, blue-green water pouring from your tap, shower or toilet tells you your well water has higher than acceptable levels of copper which, in turn, is the result of internal copper pipe corrosion.

Other than pipe corrosion and water discoloration, what else can you expect from too much copper? For starters, you can expect certain health issues like vomiting, diarrhea, and an elevated risk of liver problems and kidney disease.

So, for all the right reasons, you’ll want to treat the problem vs. letting it go unattended. But first, let’s address the question…

Why Are My Copper Pipes Corroding?

As pipes corrode, copper dissolves into the water that’s transported into your home giving it that blueish-greenish tint.

On average, copper piping should last up to 25 years. But that doesn’t mean internal corrosion can’t start sooner. It can, and here are the most likely causes:

• pH imbalance — If the water pH levels are less than 7.0 and greater than 8.5, the water is more likely to corrode copper pipes. This can easily be tested.
• High concentration of other chemicals/organisms in the water (like dissolved oxygen, salts, and bacteria).
• Sand, sediment, and grit scraping against the pipe.
• High water velocity, which wears down the inner lining of the pipe through water turbulence.

Does Your Water Have Too Much Copper?

So, you already see the blue-green water but you’re still not sure if an overload of copper is the problem. That’s easy: have your water tested, and the water quality professionals at Best Choice are just the people to get the job done…correctly and in timely fashion.

According to the World Health Organization, the maximum level of copper should not exceed 2.0 milligrams per liter. But even levels above 1.0 milligrams per liter can cause health and plumbing issues. Not just health issues, keep in mind. But internal pipe corrosion – as you’ve already seen – plus blue green staining in your toilet, tub, and sinks.

If you’re concerned about your home water supply for any reason, contact Best Choice Plumbers today to schedule a professional water quality test.

But maybe you should be.  After all, your body is up to 60% water. So, when you consume more, are you raising or lowering the quality of this life-giving substance?  Or are you hurting or protecting your plumbing? Are you really getting your clothes clean with one washing or do you have to run the same load twice?

Poor water quality can be detected and here are a few of the ways how.

Bad Taste

For the most part, municipalities effectively remove toxins and contaminants from their water, including iron, chlorine, ammonia, and others that can negatively impact your health – plus, they leave a bad taste in your mouth.

Age of House

If your home was built prior to 1986, it still may contain lead pipes. Older pipes can leach particulates into your water which also poses a health risk. Play it safe and have your pipes checked by a professional plumber.

Well Water

The increased use of pesticides and other chemicals has resulted in greater contamination of private wells. And while carbon filters do a good job of filtering out lead and chlorine, they can’t quite tackle more dangerous toxins like pesticides, nitrates, and heavy metals. If you have well water and suspect that your current filter isn’t cutting it, consider installing a reverse osmosis system for the clear, healthy, and great tasting water you depend on.

Dingy Clothing

If your clothes, sheets, and towels look and smell no better after than before washing them, don’t automatically blame your machine or detergent. Poor water quality should also be considered.  Hard water can dull your whites while high concentrations of iron can leave a rusty hue on lighter colors.

Too Much Soap, or Not Enough

Perhaps you think it’s normal to use much more than the recommended amount of shampoo. Maybe you’ve grown accustomed to scrubbing away at soap scum until your knuckles turn blue. There’s nothing normal or right about either, and nothing that a water filtration system can’t resolve.

If you have water quality concerns or simply prefer to be safe than sorry, contact Best Choice Plumbers today for a free water quality analysis and new system proposal.