10 Signs Your Home needs a Water Filtration System

Plumbing

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// Posted by Crossville Heating and Cooling, Inc.

Did you know that over 85% of American homes have hard water? This can harm your plumbing, appliances, and even your skin and hair. Many homeowners don't know when they need a water filtration system. This article will show you the top 10 signs your home needs one.

Key Takeaways

  • Hard water and contaminants can cause a range of issues, from stained dishes to inefficient appliances.
  • Unusual tastes, smells, or colors in your water may signal the need for a filtration system.
  • Limescale buildup, frequent plumbing repairs, and high water bills are other red flags.
  • Water testing can identify specific contaminants and the appropriate filtration solution.
  • Installing a whole-house or point-of-use filter can improve your water quality and protect your home.

Signs Your Water Quality is Poor

Unpleasant Taste or Odor

If your tap water tastes bad, it might have contaminants. Bad tastes like chlorine, metal, grass, or dirt mean your water quality is low. Pure water shouldn't smell, so if it smells like sulfur, chlorine, or other things, it's a sign it needs treatment. Water filters can fix these problems and give you clean, tasty water.

People with private wells need to watch their water closely. Their water isn't checked by the same rules as city water. It's important to test your water often to find and fix any issues. City water users should also test their water yearly to make sure it's safe.

Pure water is rare in nature, so most people need some kind of water filter. Places like Flint, Michigan, are known for bad water, but even clean tap water can have harmful stuff in it. Fixing bad tastes and smells in your water is key to keeping your family healthy.

Discolored or Cloudy Water

If your tap water looks discolored or cloudy, it might mean there's a problem with the water quality. Cloudiness can come from tiny air bubbles when the water is cold. Brown or yellow water when you first turn on the tap often means there's an issue with the plumbing, usually because of old galvanized iron pipes. Sometimes, it's due to sediments in the pipes that can turn the water light yellow to dark reddish-brown.

Not all discoloration is a cause for worry, like a green tint from fluorescent lights. But, some contaminants like manganese can make the water look gray or black. Black particles could come from a faulty water filter, faucet washer, or a broken rubber hose. Brown or orange particles might mean there's rust in the pipes or the water softener is broken.

Seeing white particles in your water usually means it's from pipe scale, possibly from water heater deposits. Wells don't get treated like city water, so it's up to the homeowner to find and fix problems. Cloudy tap water doesn't always mean there's a big issue with the well, as it can be from air bubbles, sediment, or hard water.

Cloudy water can also happen in a city water system if all faucets are cloudy or if just one fixture is. Things like metals, minerals, or bacteria can turn the water brown, yellow, or green. Cloudy hot water usually means the molecules are expanding and there are air bubbles that come out when the water flows.

Water with air bubbles is usually safe to drink, but it can wear down pipes and stain sinks. But, cloudy water with color changes or other contaminants can be bad for your health. Getting a water filter or softener can clear up the cloudiness and keep out harmful stuff.

Limescale Buildup on Fixtures

Hard water can cause a big problem at home: limescale buildup on your plumbing. Limescale looks like a chalky white or off-white stuff. It happens when the minerals in hard water, like calcium and magnesium, mix with heat and other things.

Limescale can show up in many places, like faucets, sinks, tubs, showerheads, and even on tiles and appliances. This buildup can make water flow less, make appliances work less well, and even damage metal parts.

Hard water with a pH level over 7.0 tends to form more limescale, since it's less acidic. Limescale is a big issue where hot water is used, as heat makes minerals stick together faster.

But, there are ways to fight limescale. A water softener can stop limescale by taking out minerals like calcium and magnesium. Acid cleaners, like hydrochloric acid or citric acid, can get rid of limescale too. Vinegar and lemon juice are also good at removing limescale naturally.

Getting a whole-house water filter can save you money over time. It stops limescale buildup, makes appliances last longer, and cuts down on cleaning products and repairs costs. With clean water, your home will be more comfortable and efficient for your family.

Staining on Dishes and Laundry

If your home has poor water quality, it can stain your dishes and clothes. Things like mineral deposits and dissolved metals can leave marks on surfaces that touch water often. This includes toilet bowls, bathtubs, and dishes.

Mineral Deposits and Contaminants

Manganese in well water can cause black stains when it meets air. High iron levels in water lead to rusty stains on toilet bowls. Soap and bleach don't work well to remove these stains.

Hard water has lots of minerals like calcium and magnesium. This can make laundry use more detergent. It also causes scale and mineral buildup in dishwashers. This leads to stained dishes and clothes that look dingy or gray.

  • Softened water makes detergents work better, so you use less.
  • Softened water also keeps clothes looking good for longer.
  • Softened water protects glassware from damage and etching.

People with hard water stains can use water filtration systems. These systems, like water softeners with iron filters, remove minerals and stop stains.

Fixing the issue of poor water quality stops stains from happening. This keeps your dishes, laundry, and surfaces looking great.

Frequent Plumbing Issues

Plumbing problems can be a big headache for homeowners, and they often stem from poor water quality. Common issues include clogged drains and toilets, leaky faucets and pipes, low water pressure, and problems with the water heater. Look out for signs like higher water bills, less water pressure, dripping faucets, slow drains, and strange noises from your plumbing.

Hard water and water contaminants can make these problems worse. Minerals and substances in the water can cause drain clogs and pipe damage. If your water looks cloudy, tastes bad, or smells funny, it might mean there are new contaminants that your filters can't catch.

Fixing plumbing issues can be tough, so knowing when to call a pro is key. For clogged drains, you can try using a plunger or a plumber's snake. Or, a mix of hot water, baking soda, and vinegar might clear out minor blockages. If your faucet leaks, you might just need to replace the washer or O-ring. But for bigger problems like clogged toilets, leaky faucets, or water heater issues, you should call a professional to avoid more damage and safety risks.

Where you live and the quality of your water can affect your plumbing, making expert advice very useful. Keeping up with maintenance, changing filters, and checking your system can help keep your water clean and your plumbing running well.

Taking care of plumbing problems early and knowing how water quality affects them can save you money and keep your plumbing in good shape.

Water Filtration systems

Improving your home's water quality is key, and water filtration systems are a great choice. They come in many types, each tackling different water issues. From water softeners for hard water to reverse osmosis, mechanical, and absorption filters, there's a solution for every home.

Water filtration systems are great at removing harmful contaminants. For example, the Aquasana Rhino® system cuts up to 97% of chlorine and other bad stuff from your water, keeping your family safe for 1,000,000 gallons or 10 years. The Aquasana OptimH2O® system also reduces lead, cysts, PFOA/PFOS, chlorine, and chloramines, making your water safe and clean.

When picking a water filtration system, choose ones that are NSF certified. This means they've passed tough tests and meet high standards for water quality and safety.

  • Aquasana's whole house filters last 1,000,000 gallons and up to 10 years, offering many models for city and well water.
  • The Rhino® Well Water with UV system fights bacteria, viruses, cysts, and more in well water, lasting 5 years or 500,000 gallons.
  • Aquasana tanks filter up to 14+ gallons per minute, giving your family clean water at a good flow rate.

Quality and performance are key in water filtration. With a reliable, NSF-certified system, you can rest easy knowing your family's water is safe and healthy. It's free from many contaminants that could harm your home and health.

Poor Water Quality Report

If your home's water comes from a city, you'll get an annual city water quality report. This report tells you about the water's quality, including any high contaminant levels. It usually has a summary of the past year's water quality and says if it's safe.

But, if the report shows high contaminant levels, your tap water might be at risk. For example, Houston has many Superfund sites, which are very contaminated. Also, a study found high levels of PFAS in many places in Houston.

  • The EPA wants to set rules for only six types of PFAS in tap water.
  • About 6,300 drinking water systems in the U.S., serving up to 94 million people, might have PFAS above new standards.
  • The EPA only checks for 29 types of PFAS, which might miss more contamination.
  • NRDC researchers think more tests would show even more PFAS contamination.

If your water report shows high contaminant levels, you might need a water filter. There are many filters, like carafe, faucet-mounted, countertop, and plumbed-in, to clean your water.

The Annual Water Quality Report is very important. It helps you spot problems with your water. By reading it, you can make sure your family has clean, safe water.

Health Concerns

Water-Borne Illnesses

Some water contaminants can cause health issues, not just bad smells or tastes. These problems can lead to colds, flu, or even serious illnesses from pathogens like E. coli and Salmonella. People like infants, pregnant women, and the elderly are more at risk.

Lead in water can come from old pipes or fixtures. It's harmful even at low levels. Arsenic, found in some ground water, can cause cancer. Nitrates, from things like fertilizer or sewage, can make blood cells carry less oxygen.

Drinking water can have many chemicals in it, like from cars or personal care products. These can mess with hormones and harm fertility and growth. Research links these chemicals to chronic diseases, including cancer and diabetes.

Dry Skin and Hair

If your skin and hair feel dry, even when you moisturize, your home's water might be the issue. Chlorine and hardness minerals can take away the oils that keep your skin and hair moist. This leads to skin dryness and hair dryness.

About 85 percent of U.S. water is hard water, full of minerals like calcium and iron. These can dry out your skin, causing dry eczema and brittle skin that cracks easily. Using too much soap or shampoo in hard water creates more scum, drying out your hair and skin and clogging pores.

Chlorine, a common disinfectant, can dry out your skin. It takes away the skin's oils, making it dry and flaky. This can lead to itchy rashes. Sometimes, just filtering your water isn't enough. You might need a water softener to help your skin and hair.

Putting in a whole-house carbon water filter can get rid of chlorine and other bad stuff. This can help your skin and hair stay hydrated. In fact, 95% of people said their skin got better with filtered water. And 83% saw their skin conditions improve.

Getting a good water filter system does more than just make your water taste better. It helps keep your skin and hair healthy and looking good. Don't let bad water quality affect your beauty and health. Start taking care of your skin and hair by checking your water and finding the right filter.

High Water Bills

Have you seen your water bills go up without using more water or finding leaks? It might be because of mineral buildup in your pipes. This buildup makes appliances that use water work harder, using more water. This can surprise you with higher bills.

A dripping faucet can waste up to 20 gallons of water a day or more. A toilet that won't stop running can waste up to 200 gallons a day. Outdoor leaks can waste a lot of water too, depending on the size. Even small plumbing problems can greatly increase your water use and bills.

Water softeners can also make your bills go up because of their cycles. They use 6 to 12 lbs of salt per cycle, which happens at least once a week. How often they need to cycle depends on your water's hardness, iron levels, pH, your household size, and the tank size.

To lower your bills, check for leaks inside and outside your home often. Try using less water, like taking shorter showers and using low-flow shower heads, to use less water. Getting help from a professional to fix mineral buildup or plumbing issues can also help manage your bills.

Being proactive can help you control your water bills. A little attention can make a big difference in keeping your bills reasonable.

Professional Water Testing

To find out if your home needs a water treatment system, test your water with a certified specialist. EPA Water offers free tests to show what contaminants are in your water and how much. It's important to test for things like arsenic, chloramine, and fluoride to keep your water safe and protect your home.

Testing your water often helps check the alkalinity level, which affects metal pipes and appliances. A pro can test your water and give you a detailed report. They'll suggest the best water filter for your needs.

EcoWater has been improving water quality for almost a hundred years with top-notch systems. Their products are tested and certified to meet EPA standards. Many customers love EcoWater for saving money, finding leaks, and preventing water damage.

Fisher Scientific also offers tools for testing water quality in labs and for food safety. They have spectrophotometers and other gear for testing water and food for contaminants.

Working with a certified specialist and using top-quality testing helps you understand your water better. This way, you can choose the best treatment for your water issues.

Signs of Hard Water

Hard water is a common issue in many homes across the United States. Signs include limescale deposits and water stains. It's measured in grains per gallon (GPG) or parts per million (PPM). Soft water is 0-1 GPG or 0-25 PPM, while hard water is 2-7 GPG or 26-100 PPM.

Hard water affects nearly 90 percent of homes in the U.S. The degree of hardness varies by region.

Scale Buildup and Inefficient Appliances

Hard water can harm your home's appliances. It causes mineral buildup in pipes and appliance parts, like washing machines and dishwashers. This buildup shortens their lifespan and makes them less efficient.

It also leads to higher energy bills and more repairs or replacements. For instance, it can cause white spots on coffee makers and prevent detergents from working right. This can damage fabrics and make laundry tough to clean.

Hard water leaves scale deposits on faucets, silverware, and bathroom fixtures as they dry.

To protect your home, consider a water filtration system like the ProSoft Saltless Water Softener from ProOne. It conditions your water, preventing scaling and potentially extending appliance life.

Addressing hard water signs helps keep appliances efficient and extends their life. It also means cleaner, softer water for your household.

Unpleasant Smells from Fixtures

If your home's water smells like rotten eggs or sewage, it's probably because of high hydrogen sulfide gas levels. This smell is safe to drink but can really lower your home's quality of life. It's important to fix this by getting a water treatment system.

The smell of rotten eggs or sulfur comes from hydrogen sulfide gas. This gas is made by bacteria in wells or when minerals react with water. It can also come from chlorine or chloramines in city water, or from too many organic tannins, iron, or low pH levels.

To get rid of bad smells in your home's water, consider the IronShield Whole House Water Filtration System. It can take out up to 84,000 contaminants, like iron and toxins that cause bad smells. For drinking water, the RevitaLife RO system can also remove bad smells and add healthy minerals for better taste and balance.

If your water smells like chlorine or chloramines, the IronShield system can fix that too. For a sewage smell from too many bacteria, the BacteriaShield UV system can kill up to 99.9% of harmful germs.

Fixing the cause of bad smells in your water can make your home more pleasant and improve your water quality. Don't let bad smells ruin your day; get a good water filtration system for better water at home.

Conclusion

Your home might need a water filtration system if you notice bad tastes, smells, or colors in your water. You might also see limescale buildup or worry about health issues. A good water treatment system can fix these problems, making your water better, protecting your plumbing, and keeping your family healthy. Talking to a certified water expert is the best way to find the right system for your home.

Today, water filtration systems are more advanced, offering many options for different needs and contaminants. You can choose from point-of-use, point-of-entry systems, and various methods like activated carbon, reverse osmosis, and UV treatment. These systems can remove many impurities from your water. Getting a good water filter can make your water taste better and help you live healthier. It also cuts down on the need for plastic bottles.

By fixing the signs of bad water quality and getting a water filter, you get clean, safe water. This helps the planet too by reducing plastic waste. With the right filter, you protect your home, family, and the environment. You'll have access to great water for a long time.

HVAC Technician installing a electric heat pump
About Crossville Heating and Cooling, Inc.
Crossville Heating and Cooling, Inc. is a locally owned heating and air conditioning company that provides sales, service, and installation of any type of heating or cooling in your home or light commercial building.

Although the name Crossville Heating and Cooling, Inc. is new, Mr. Richard Gilmer has been in the business of keeping his neighbors comfortable since 1998. As our presence in the HVAC contractors industry has evolved, we decided to change the name of our business to better reflect our commitment to the Middle TN area.

Our core values include implementing economically friendly products and practices to better contribute to the health and home of our customers. We are EPA certified and ensure that all refrigerant is recycled and all equipment is disposed of as per environmentally-safe standards. Our service techs and installers are trained to conduct business with minimal disruption to your daily lifestyle so that the only impact we make is a positive one

FAQ

What are the signs that my home needs a water filtration system?

Signs include bad taste or smell in the water, cloudy water, and limescale on fixtures. You might also see stains on dishes and laundry, have plumbing problems, or suffer from health issues like water-borne illnesses or dry skin and hair.

What types of water filtration systems are available?

There are many types, like water softeners, reverse osmosis, mechanical filters, and absorption filters. These systems aim to remove certain contaminants and are often NSF certified for their effectiveness.

How do I know if my water quality is poor?

Check your annual water quality report from the city for high contaminant levels. If you notice bad taste, smell, discoloration, or limescale buildup, your water quality is likely poor. You might need a filtration system.

What health concerns can poor water quality cause?

Poor water quality can lead to illnesses like E. coli, Salmonella, Giardia, and Hepatitis A. It can also cause more general health issues, such as colds, flu, and nausea. Infants, pregnant women, and the elderly are at higher risk.

How can I get my water tested?

For accurate water quality assessment, have it tested by a professional. Companies like EPA Water offer free testing. They will identify contaminants and their levels.

What are the signs of hard water?

Hard water signs include limescale buildup and reduced efficiency in appliances. A water softener can help solve these problems.

What should I do if my water has an unpleasant smell?

Bad smells, like rotten eggs or sewage, often come from high hydrogen sulfide gas levels. Installing a water treatment system can remove these odors and improve your water quality.

HVAC Technician installing a electric heat pump
About Crossville Heating and Cooling, Inc.
Crossville Heating and Cooling, Inc. is a locally owned heating and air conditioning company that provides sales, service, and installation of any type of heating or cooling in your home or light commercial building.

Although the name Crossville Heating and Cooling, Inc. is new, Mr. Richard Gilmer has been in the business of keeping his neighbors comfortable since 1998. As our presence in the HVAC contractors industry has evolved, we decided to change the name of our business to better reflect our commitment to the Middle TN area.

Our core values include implementing economically friendly products and practices to better contribute to the health and home of our customers. We are EPA certified and ensure that all refrigerant is recycled and all equipment is disposed of as per environmentally-safe standards. Our service techs and installers are trained to conduct business with minimal disruption to your daily lifestyle so that the only impact we make is a positive one

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