5 Signs You Might Need A Home Water Filtration System
Date: November 17, 2018
A Home Water Filtration System Solves Poor Water Quality
Why do we need water treatment? It is true that the tap water you receive at home is usually safe to drink, with the EPA estimating that 90% of tap water is okay for consumption. With that said, there will always be variations in how well each city and state are able to fully service and condition the water before streaming it into your home. And even then, maintenance on your pipes or water supply may drastically affect the condition of the water you use day-to-day.
Most notably, if contaminants do end up in your water, you always run the risk of those same contaminants in your home. Associated effects of poor water quality include the transmission of preventable diseases. The reason why we need water treatment is to remove excess nutrients in our water, which may develop into harmful algae or diseases. And while the standard water treatment system in your city should provide adequate treatment, in-house filtration systems help create a second level of protection.
Or, you might be looking into a home water filtration system to treat the foods and drinks you consume. Discrepancies in your water quality may still qualify them to be safe for consumption; however, the flavor profile of the water and the way it may impact your foods and drinks may be noticeable.
Here are 5 signs to look for to tell if you need a home water filtration system.
1. Your Tap Water Is Tinted
Right off the bat, this will be the most visual cue that the quality of your water can be optimized. This is a clear sign that contaminants exist in your water that can (and should) be removed to prevent the risk of consuming poor water quality. A proper home water filtration system should minimize the appearance of cloudy water.
2. Your Tap Water Has A Tainted, Poor Taste And/Or Smell
I prescribe to the belief that different water brands and types of water (tapped or filtered) have a unique associated flavor to them. And this becomes even more apparent when you compare artisanal water against tap water, or even filtered water against tap. Oftentimes, tap water will carry a metallic, off-clean taste that will affect its odor and flavor. If you are okay with the quality of water flavor regardless, that is completely your call. However, you should set up a consultation with a professional to test the water to make sure the water is still clean. If the water flavor tastes almost overtly metallic there may be another issue at hand. And if your water is (literally) too difficult to swallow, maybe its time to upgrade to a water filtration system to handle poor water quality.
3. You Notice a Lime Scale Buildup
You might be wondering what a limescale buildup is. Essentially, when hard water (or water that is high in calcium and/or magnesium content) runs through pipes, mineral deposits can start to build. You won’t really notice them at first, as they tend to develop within your pipes; however, as these issues build up throughout your pipes, you may start noticing white residue towards the ends of your pipe, be it leaks in pipes, faucets, and/or whatever else. If your home has limescale buildup, there is no risk posed to you; however, the buildup may create friction in your pipes leading to damage and prolonged damage.
4. Your Clothes Are Stained
If you’re dealing with cloudy water, you may have calcium and magnesium to thank for that. When dealing with hard water (again, unfiltered tap water with high levels of nutrients), you are dealing with water containing uneven (sometimes high concentrations) of material that can stain clothes and other items in your home. If this is the case, you may need to look into a home filtration system to deal with poor water quality in your household.
5. You Are Constantly Dealing With Plumbing Issues
When dealing with hard water, the restrictions on water flow may create inefficiencies in how your plumbing units operate, ultimately forcing your toilets and units to exert more force for the same effect. This is in part due to the fact that poor water quality creates scale buildup and deposits that get stuck in your pipe system. This may build up unnecessary pressure in your pipes, especially if the restrictions in water flow are drastic. Not only does the efficiency decrease, so does the effectiveness of your pipes. As a result, you should expect to see reduced water flow and clogs.
What Filtration System Is Right For Me?
If you are interested in investing in a whole house filtration system, there are a ton of options out there, each with their own unique specialties (and of course their own price). A few things to consider are flow rate, filter size, filter life, and port size. If you’re focused, not on your entire house but rather just the sink, an under-sink filtration system might be the best fit for you. And while there are many options out there, we’re always available to answer questions you have! Drop us a line or give us a call at 602.870.6840.