The quality of your water affects its taste and smell, the food you cook, and how your skin and hair feel. In some cases, the quality of your water can pose a health threat to you and your family. And because water touches nearly every room in your home, it also affects how long your appliances, fixtures, and plumbing last. How do you know if your water is safe for your family and home? Here are 8 signs your home water needs treatment:
1. Water has an Odor
If you have an odor coming from your water, something is amiss. You should have a certified water specialist out to evaluate it. For example, if your water has a rotten egg smell, you may have a higher than normal level of hydrogen sulfide gas. While the presence of hydrogen sulfide gas is not a health issue, it dramatically lessens your quality of life.
2. Water has a Bad Taste
If your water contains a metallic, bitter, salty or other off-taste, you should have it evaluated by a certified water specialist. Your CWS will tell you what tests are needed to determine the cause of the odor.
3. Water is Cloudy
If your water is cloudy, murky, or tinged with color, it may contain contaminants that should be removed. Quality water should be clear to the eye and have no specific taste.
4. Water is Staining Clothes and Surfaces
Some water contaminants can produce stains on objects they come into contact with. These stains can appear on clothes after a washing machine cycle, dishes and silverware cleaned by a dishwasher, and plumbing surfaces like toilet bowls, bathtubs, and sinks.
5. Plumbing Fixtures and Surfaces have Noticeable Buildup
That crusty white substance on your shower head is caused by hard water. Hard water attacks plumbing fixtures and surfaces. It can also shorten the lifespan of any appliance that uses water. Additionally, if your soap doesn’t lather well or bathing makes your skin and hair feel dry, you probably have hard water.
6. Water has an Oily Film
If you notice an oily film on top of standing water, such as toilets or bathtubs, this could indicate that oil or grease are in your water supply. The presence of oil could be caused by a leaky water main or an oil-contaminated water table around your private well.
7. Water has a Sandy Texture
A gritty feel in your water is a sign of silt or sediment. Sand and silt can be an annoying presence in the quality of your well water. It also can be an indication of a crack in a well line, which could mean that surface water is entering your water supply. Depending on what contaminants are in the soil surrounding your pipes, sediment in your water could indicate a problem and a potential health risk.
8. Water and Frequent Stomach Illness
If family members are repeatedly experiencing stomach problems, your water should be tested for bacteria.
Help When your Home Water Needs Treatment in NH
If you think your home water needs treatment or you have questions about the quality of your water, contact the certified water specialists at Secondwind Water Systems. If recommended, we’ll conduct a water analysis to identify the source of your problem and suggest a water treatment plan that is best for you and your family. Contact us today.
It’s interesting that an oily film over the water could be caused by oil contamination outside. I didn’t realize that the materials and elements outside play into the water we get from the ground although it makes sense that it’d be good to have it tested. I’ll have to remember to get the water tested regularly to ensure there isn’t any poisonous bacteria or oils in the water.
I didn’t realize that those crusty white substance buildups on our fixtures could indicate a need for water treatment. It helps to know that these kinds of issues can cause other issues with our plumbing system if left alone for too long. I would imagine it’s important to find a water treatment solution as soon as possible to prevent damages from spreading or getting out of hand.