How To Improve the Water Quality in Your Home
The unfamiliar taste or discoloration of your tap water can be associated with several issues, most of which relate with happenings in your property or city. Luckily, there are steps you can take to improve the quality of your drinking water, regardless of your location.
Water Quality On City Water
With city water homes, you can be more certain that your property gives rise to your water issues. There are some exceptions, however, such as Flint in Michigan where the municipal system was found to be contaminated with lead.
Start by assessing your pipes. Besides obvious changes in taste and color, problems can also be indicated by changes in water pressure. Corrosion can cause the insides of your pipes to be partly blocked. You can also check for leaks on the outer part of your pipes.
Water Quality On Well Water
The first thing to do for well water improvement is to test it for the presence of contaminants. If it turns out to be clean, then you need to check for other problems like leaks. And if you do discover a chemical disparity, some water treatment options may help.
Inspect the well casing and well for leaks or cracks. These can cause seals to fail and contaminate your water with sediment. Hiring a water expert will ensure fixes are done properly.
Systems for Water Filtration
A water filtration system can improve the taste and eradicate impurities, whether you're on well or city.
Depending on your preferred solution, a faucet purifier can cost between $15 and $20 and thousands for a full-home system. A survey found that over 2,000 homeowners spent an average of $1,700 on their filtration system.
Determining the best system for your home is the first step towards improving the quality of your home's water.
Full-Home Filters
This filter works on all of your consumed water, including laundry and showers. Full-home purifiers are typically installed on the main line for water supply and may have a pre-filter in addition to the main system. In most cases, however, they require professionals for installation.
Point-of-Entry Filters
If the overall condition of your water is good, but it occasionally has an obnoxious color, taste or odor, then it can help to install a purifier on the cold water supply line feeding your refrigerator or sink. These are typically smaller and can easily be executed by a homeowner with reasonable plumbing know-how and a wrench and pipe cutter. Certain purifiers can be directly installed on the kitchen faucet.
Reverse Osmosis Systems
A reverse osmosis system is typically installed at the sink, but some models are available for faucets. They work by sending the water through several membranes to remove sediment, bacteria, and pollutants. This leaves behind oxygen as well as some naturally occurring minerals which make your drinking water taste good. This complex system is best installed by an expert, but replacement of the filters would be on a routine basis.
Distillers
In this system, all impurities, including oxygen and minerals, are removed from water. They work by heating the water to produce steam, and then condense it to pure water. The installation of distillers is not so tricky, and most homeowners can connect them without the need to hire a professional.
If you are experiencing cosmetic issues rather than health hazards, you can get refreshing, clean water by replacing your pipes, inspecting your well, and consider a system for purification or water filtration.
Caution
If you are unsure about your drinking water quality, it is best for you to have it tested immediately. Until you are sure that your water is safe for consumption, you should drink only purified, boiled, or bottled water.