|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
Last Revised: 1/17/2024
Do your dishes come out of the dishwasher with spots or stains? Is your skin unusually dry and your hair brittle after a shower?
These small inconveniences could be signs of bigger issues with your home’s water quality.
Water is at the center of our daily lives, but most of us don’t stop to think about its quality until there’s a noticeable problem. Whether your water comes from a municipal supply or a private well, it can carry contaminants, minerals, and chemicals that impact your home, your health, and even your budget.
Poor water quality doesn’t just cause inconvenience – it can damage your plumbing, ruin your appliances, and even affect your skin and hair.
At Mattioni, we have decades of experience in water conditioning and have helped countless homeowners improve their water quality. In this article, we’ll explore the most common signs that indicate you need to test your water and consider a water conditioning system. We’ll look at the different types of water conditioning systems available, explain how they work, and show how they can make a lasting difference in your home.
By the end, you’ll understand the signs of poor water quality and discover tailored water conditioning solutions to restore your home’s water health.
Let’s start by exploring the differences between city water and well water.
City Water vs Well Water: Understanding Your Home’s Water Source
The source of your home’s water, whether it’s city water (public) or well water (locally sourced), will directly impact any water quality challenges you may be facing. While every home may face slightly different risks, there are some frequently encountered issues with both.
City water faces strict treatment regulations from the EPA, CDC, and local municipalities, so it’s often viewed as superior to well water. However, there is one unregulated aspect of city water quality: the water’s hardness. Hard water is extremely rich in minerals like calcium and can wreak havoc on your plumbing, appliances, and health. Chlorine and chloramines (which are introduced to water at public treatment facilities to kill any bacteria) are other contaminants that often persist in city water. Like hard water, these chemicals bring their own adverse health effects.
Those who rely on locally sourced well water are susceptible to issues too. In addition to the risk of hard water (which varies based on where you live), well water can be contaminated with bacteria or acidic (low pH). Whereas the quality of city water is regulated and must meet certain thresholds, the responsibility of well water quality falls directly to the homeowner.
Before we dig into how you can improve your water quality, let’s now answer the question at hand: what are the signs and symptoms of poor water quality?
The 6 Most Common Signs & Symptoms of Poor Water Quality
If your home’s water is causing problems, these symptoms may indicate the need for testing and potentially a water conditioning system:
1. Stains on Faucets and Showerheads
When hard water heats up, its minerals can be emitted into the air surrounding the fixture (faucets and showerheads). As it settles, it leaves behind persistent white stains on nearby surfaces. Cleaning these faucets and showerheads often becomes a losing battle and the white stains remain, leaving unsightly and damaging mineral deposits.
If this sounds like the current state of your kitchen or bathroom, then it’s likely a sign that you may want to test your water quality.
2. Stains on Dishes or Clothes
Staining extends beyond fixtures – it can also affect clothes and dishes, leaving them with colored spots or dull appearances after washing. Green or white stains are usually an indication of hard water, while reddish-brown stains can signal iron contamination. If you notice orange or pink stains on your dishes or clothes, it can be a symptom of a more serious issue: airborne bacteria.
Getting a water test done quickly if you notice any stains on your dishes or clothes is the first step to getting your water quality back on track.
3. Decreased Performance of Water-based Appliances
Water quality issues impact more than just appearances – it can drastically reduce the efficiency of water-based appliances like water heaters, washing machines, and dishwashers. Over time, as hard water is heated, mineral deposits build up on heating elements in these machines, leading to diminished performance, inefficiency, and a shorter lifespan. Because of this, these appliances may also be forced to use more water.
If you’ve noticed an unexplained increase in your water or energy bills, it could be for a variety of reasons. One of which is that hard water is limiting the efficiency of your water-based appliances. It’s always a good idea to consult with a professional plumber to investigate the status of your water-based appliances’ efficiency.
4. Frequent Plumbing Problems and Repairs
If you’ve run into repeated issues with your plumbing system’s pipes that have resulted in several repairs or replacements, the quality of the water running through them is likely to blame. The same type of scale buildup that occurs in appliances can also occur within pipes, leading to damage from corrosion. It can also cause problems with water flow, leading to low-pressure water at faucets and showerheads. Acidic water (with a pH of below 7) can also slowly deteriorate the inside of pipes, forcing avoidable repairs and replacements.
Have you been calling the plumber a lot lately? If so, it’s time to test your water quality and look into water conditioning systems.
5. Dry Skin & Brittle Hair After Showering
A few showers with hard water issues likely won’t be a big deal for most people. However, exposure to hard water in showers for several years can have lasting effects on your health. The most serious of which are exacerbated symptoms of eczema and psoriasis, while the most common are dry skin and dull, brittle hair. That uncomfortable feeling after you get out of the shower isn’t in your head – it’s hard water, and it’s a sign that you should test your water.
6. Unpleasant Water Smells and Tastes
Here’s a relatable one: have you noticed a weird smell in your water? Or worse…a bad taste?
It might be easy to delay addressing these seemingly minor problems, and you might even grow used to the off-putting smell or taste, but it could be a signal that your water may not be healthy to drink. Things like sediment, heavy metals, low pH, hard water, or chloramines could be causing the issue, so testing your water is essential to finding the right solution.
Once you’ve tested your water, and you understand the underlying cause of your issue, you can begin to hone in on which type of water conditioning or filtration system is a best fit for your home.
Types of Water Conditioning Systems Designed to Combat Poor Water Quality
1. Water Softeners
If you’ve identified hardness in your home’s water supply, regardless of if you have well water or city water, then water softeners are almost certainly a perfect fit for you. Water softeners use a bed of sodium resin to facilitate an ion exchange process that replaces calcium and magnesium ions with sodium. This directly reduces the hardness of your water, reestablishing the health of your plumbing system and appliances, while also setting up the safety of your showering and drinking water.
2. Activated Carbon & Catalytic Carbon Filters
Activated carbon and catalytic carbon filters are tailored to address the specific challenges of city-supplied water, specifically chlorine and chloramines used during public water treatment. While these chemicals effectively disinfect water, they can leave an unpleasant taste and smell, as well as contribute to skin irritation, brittle hair, and other serious health consequences.
These filtration systems are specifically designed to neutralize and capture chlorine and chloramines, improving water quality for drinking, cooking, and showering. These systems are ideal for households that want to reduce their exposure to the residual chemicals common in city water.
3. Big Blue Sediment Filters
Has your tap water been cloudy, or have you noticed a bitter or metallic taste? These symptoms shouldn’t be overlooked as they’re likely a sign of high levels of total dissolved solids (TDS), potentially including large particles like sand, dirt, and rust. High TDS levels are a common issue in homes that rely on well water, however there’s a straightforward solution: the Big Blue Sediment Filter.
The Big Blue Sediment Filter captures sediment as small as five microns (five millionths of a meter), effectively cleaning your water supply of particles naked to the human eye. This is an excellent option for those with high levels of TDS who are looking for ways to make sure their drinking water is crystal clear.
4. Neutralizers
Neutralizers use crushed limestone to raise pH levels and neutralize acidic water. As your water supply slowly becomes more saturated in limestone, its alkalinity increases and its pH level stabilizes. Neutralizers protect your plumbing system from corrosion damage that occurs with acidic water.
5. Reverse Osmosis Filtration Systems
Reverse osmosis (RO) systems are among the most comprehensive water filtration solutions available. They’re capable of removing a wide array of contaminants, including lead, nitrates, fluoride, and some bacteria. They work by forcing water through a semi-permeable membrane that traps impurities while allowing clean water molecules to pass through.
RO systems are often installed under kitchen sinks to provide high-quality drinking and cooking water. They’re particularly beneficial in areas subject to harmful contaminants that exceed normal safety levels. Their one downside, however, is that (unlike the next filtration system) they do produce some wastewater, potentially raising water bills.
6. Seagull IV Filtration Systems
The Seagull IV filter is a high-performance point-of-use system designed to improve drinking water quality (many of the master plumbers at Mattioni consider them to be more effective than reverse osmosis filters.)
Using advanced filtration technology, these filters excel at removing microscopic bacteria and other organic contaminants without wasting water.
Seagull IV filters also preserve essential minerals that contribute to water’s taste and health benefits, unlike RO filters which strip water of nearly all impurities – including beneficial minerals. They’re an excellent option for homeowners who prioritize taste and water efficiency over extensive filtration capabilities.
Each of these systems plays a specific role in addressing water quality challenges. By understanding your water’s unique issues – whether it’s hard water, sediment, low pH, or harmful contaminants like chlorine, chloramines, and bacteria – you can select the system or combination of systems that best suits your needs. Consulting with a professional plumber will ensure the systems are installed properly to achieve optimal performance, offering your home several benefits including peace of mind.
The Importance of Professional Maintenance
To maintain optimal performance, water conditioning systems need regular upkeep. Annual servicing by a professional plumber ensures that components like filters and resin beds remain effective. Skipping maintenance can shorten the lifespan of your water conditioning systems, reduce their performance, and diminish their efficiency.
While some DIYers may be able to handle minor tasks like filter replacements, many aspects of water conditioning systems, such as correctly calibrating equipment or sourcing quality replacement materials, require professional expertise to avoid costly mistakes.
Taking the Next Steps to Reclaim Your Home’s Water Quality
Water quality is an essential aspect of maintaining a healthy, efficient, and comfortable home. Whether your water comes from a city supply or a private well, addressing issues like hard water, chlorine contamination, sediment buildup, or acidity is crucial to protecting your plumbing, appliances, and your family’s health.
Recognizing the signs of poor water quality – such as stains, funny smells, or frequent plumbing breakdowns – is the first step toward finding a solution.
Investing in the right water conditioning system can transform your water from a source of frustration into a reliable asset. Water softeners, neutralizers, sediment filters, and other specialized systems (like activated carbon, catlytic carbon, and the Seagull IV filter) address unique challenges posed by your water source. Together, these systems safeguard your home’s plumbing system, extend the lifespan of your appliances, and reduce unnecessary expenses over time.
At Mattioni, we understand that water quality issues can be complex, but with decades of expertise in plumbing and water conditioning, we’re here to help you navigate the options with confidence. Our team of certified technicians specializes not only in identifying your home’s water quality challenges but also in tailoring solutions that fit your specific needs. From professional water testing to custom-designed systems, Mattioni provides the tools and knowledge to improve your water and protect your home.
Pay attention to the signs of poor water quality and schedule a professional water test to understand your water’s unique profile and which systems are the best fit for your home.
Take the first step toward better water quality today by calling Mattioni’s team of master plumbers at (610) 400-8510, or by booking a free consultation online. Don’t let your water hold you back from enjoying a comfortable home – take action today.
