The water you consume in your home is not always safe to drink…
Due to various reasons, it gets contaminated over time. And this is why water testing becomes an important part of your homeownership.
After all, you don’t want yourself or your family to suffer the threats imposed by contaminated water.
Once we talk about water testing, it’s also important to know the types of water testing you can undertake. This then helps in making informed decisions.
In this blog, we’ll talk about the importance of water testing and what different types of water testing you can encounter during your homeownership.
We hope that with this, you’ll end up making informed decisions.
Why Is Water Testing Important?
Water testing holds up significance on various levels. Many reasons can compel you to believe so…and also prompt you to conduct tests on your home’s water. Some of such reasons are the following:
Safety
The primary reason for conducting a water test is to ensure safety…something that must be on your top priority list. (If not, you need to update your list).
Water testing verifies that your drinking water is free of harmful contaminants. And, since many contaminants are colorless, microscopic, and tasteless, detecting them without a test is itself a task (an impossible one).
In certain cases, you might remain unaware that your water poses a threat to your health…until it reaches a point where the effects are irreversible.
Taste and Smell
Are you or your family experiencing unpleasant tastes and odors in your water?
What solution have you thought of, then?
Nothing yet?
Conducting a water test is a wise decision, as it helps identify the origins of unpleasant tastes and odors in your water.
For example, the sulfur in water can impart a foul smell reminiscent of rotten eggs, which is far from desirable.
So, in such situations, a water test becomes instrumental in determining the most suitable water filtration system for your home.
If you seek a solution to enhance the taste or eliminate unpleasant odors from your home’s water, conducting a test is a beneficial starting point.
Plumbing
Water tests also help you understand the plumbing systems’ true condition and whether they threaten your plumbing infrastructure.
For example, water with an acidic pH can have corrosive characteristics, leading to the gradual deterioration of your pipes.
Therefore, conducting tests and implementing appropriate treatments for your home’s water can effectively extend the lifespan of your plumbing system.
Another reason to test your water is to learn if it’s damaging your plumbing system.
For instance, the corrosive quality of water with an acidic pH can wear away your pipes. This is why testing and treating your home’s water can increase the lifespan of your home’s plumbing.
Changes
If you think you’ll be done after conducting a test once, then you’re wrong. It would help if you had regular water testing to get early warnings for changes in your drinking water.
It helps in evaluating the long-term efficacy of your treatment methods.
So, even if your water appears unchanged in terms of taste, odor, or appearance, there still is a chance that it might carry varying contaminants between successive tests.
What Are Different Types of Water Testing for Homeowners?
There are different types of water quality tests that you can employ to assess the safety and suitability of water within your house.
This wide range of tests plays a crucial role in helping you identify the presence of contaminants or minerals in your water. And with this information, you can undertake the necessary treatment measures.
Following are some examples of water testing methods.
Bacteria Tests
You might not know, but your household water is usually threatened by various potential bacterial contaminants that directly affect the water quality. And E. coli bacteria is one such bacteria. It’s a highly monitored bacterium derived from exposure to fecal matter.
And unknowingly, you might be consuming water contaminated with E. coli. This is a direct threat to your health and can result in severe health issues. Bacteria testing is important to assess its safety for drinking or skin exposure.
Mineral Tests
These tests are not confined to one single mineral. Instead, they encompass a broad spectrum, including:
- Chlorine
- Chloride
- Nitrate
- Nitrite
- Lead
- Copper
- Iron
- Zinc
- Potassium
- Sodium
Now, what makes these tests significant?
They can determine water quality, and because different regions may accumulate specific minerals, these tests also guide you through the appropriate mineral treatments required for purification.
pH Testing
As the name already suggests, this type of testing measures the concentration of hydrogen ions in a solution. Influencing the water acidity.
The acidity not only impacts water’s taste…but also affects its safety for consumption.
If you want to prevent waterborne illnesses, getting insights with pH testing and maintaining a neutral pH is crucial.
Other Types of Testing
Beyond chemical testing, there are basic water tests such as conductivity, odor, sediment, and turbidity. These all assess the physical traits of a water sample.
They provide insights into clarity, odor, and the presence of sand or silt. Additionally, conductivity measurement offers information about mineral content, contributing to a comprehensive understanding of water quality.
Conclusion
In conclusion, adding water quality testing to your annual home maintenance to-do list is essential.
These tests detect potentially harmful contaminants like bacteria, viruses, and varying mineral or chemical concentrations.
Regular water quality assessments contribute to your family’s safety and pinpoint factors influencing taste and odor. And ensuring an optimal water experience.
Furthermore, regular testing allows you to track changes in your water quality and maintain the well-being of your plumbing.
If you’ve decided to schedule a water test, consider Clatterbuck Inspections.
Our team at Clatterbuck Inspections is ready to conduct water tests to address any concerns you may have.
In the event of issues, we’ll assist you in selecting and implementing a durable solution.
Explore more about water testing and contact Clatterbuck Inspections for comprehensive home water testing and treatment services.