If you get your water from the city water main, you probably know that it goes through a treatment plant before it reaches your home. All kinds of harmful elements and germs can be found in natural water, which is what the treatment plant is there to remove. Now, some cities are better about removing contaminants than others. No city, though, can completely remove all potentially harmful materials from its water supply. There is always a chance that some trace particles will escape the treatment process, and end up in your home.
If you really want to protect your water supply from these kinds of contaminants, the best thing to do is to install a water treatment system. Some plumbing systems need whole house water treatment systems more than others, especially if they are experiencing symptoms like those listed below.
Lime Scale
Lime scale is a kind of mineral deposit, the result of a surface being exposed to hard water for long periods of time. Hard water is just water with a high level of calcium and magnesium molecules in it, which it deposits in the pipes of your plumbing system. As the lime scale grows, it starts to restrict the flow of water through the pipes. This lowers the efficiency of your plumbing system, and generally wreaks havoc on its operation. If you see a white, chalky-looking deposit around your faucets or in your shower, that’s probably lime scale. If it’s in those areas, it’s definitely in your pipes as well. Install a water softener to counteract hard water, and protect your plumbing system from lime scale.
Unusual Tastes
It probably comes as no surprise that few people actually enjoy the taste of tap water. However, there is a difference between poor tasting water that is harmless and water that tastes bad because it’s contaminated. If your tap water has a metallic taste, or any other kind of strong, unpleasant taste, you should probably have a professional plumber evaluate it as soon as possible. There are all kinds of contaminants that could cause this symptom, including lead, copper, sulfur, and iron. Some are more dangerous than others, but you’re probably better off just protecting against all of them.
There are a number of different water treatment systems that can address these issues, including reverse osmosis systems. These force all water entering your home through a thin membrane. The water is able to pass through the membrane, but larger particles (like most contaminants) are collected in a waste container for later disposal.
If you’re not sure what water treatment system would suit your needs best, you can’t go wrong by consulting with a professional plumber. Each home is different, and you’re going to want to make sure that you get the water treatment system that protects against specific issues with your plumbing system.
Carney Plumbing Heating & Cooling offers water treatment system installation services in Doylestown, PA. If you need water treatment services of any kind, contact us today to schedule an appointment with one of our expert plumbers.