Warning Signs of Poor Water Quality
There are a lot of factors that go into maintaining a home and keeping it functioning properly. With all that needs to be done, it can be easy to forget about water quality, especially when you do not notice any visible signs of poor water quality. If your water quality is good, it means that there is a proper chemical balance within the water. Poor water quality can mean that the water is full of pollutants and other toxins. It can be difficult to know if the water quality in your home is poor or not, but some warning signs to watch out for include:
- Murky water
- Water that smells like chlorine or sulfur
- Tinted water
- Water with an oily film
- Metallic or bitter taste to the water
- A blue-green stain to the water
Homeowners will often turn to test trips to test the quality of their water, but our team would also be happy to get to the bottom of the situation. If we find that your water quality is not up to par, we will help mediate the situation so you can feel safe and healthy using your water again. In the meantime, some simple ways you can improve the water quality in your home include:
- Flushing the water out before use
Before you begin to use your water for drinking or cooking, it is wise to run cold water taps for at least two minutes. When water sits in your pipes, over time, the quality decreases. Flushing your water out in this way can help make sure the water you use is a higher quality.
- Replacing old household plumbing
Older plumbing is more likely to be hosting harmful ingredients that are then being circulated throughout the water in your home. If your house was built before 1986, it might have been built with lead pipes that connect the home to the water main. We now understand that lead exposure is extremely harmful and can lead to health problems like increased blood pressure, decreased kidney function, and reproductive problems. If you have older plumbing and would like to protect your family from running into these issues, our team can check the quality of your plumbing and perform a repiping or piping upgrade if necessary.
- Using water filters
One of the best ways to make a difference in the water quality of your home is to make sure your water filtration systems are serving you. Not only is it important to use the correct water filters for your home’s system, but it is also necessary to keep these filters clean. Bacteria and other harmful elements can build up through these filters, so if you are not careful, the tools that are meant to help you can hurt you.
- Draining your water heater
As time goes on, sediment can build up at the bottom of your water heater, which can lead to clogs and decrease the quality of your water as well as your water pressure. Draining the water heater typically takes around 20-25 minutes and involves opening the valve to empty the tank, but if you are unsure of how to do it, our team would be happy to help.
- Using cold water
It is not recommended to use hot tap water for drinking and cooking. This is because hot water dissolves contaminants and can contain sediment and other buildup from the pipes. The Environmental Protection Agency warns against using hot tap water for drinking and cooking, so we recommend against it as well.
To learn more about how you can improve the water quality in your home, call All Klear All Hours at (417) 228-8252 or contact us online.