Warning Signs Your Home’s Water Quality Needs Testing

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7 Telltale Signs That Say It’s Time To Test Water Quality In Your Home

Here are certain signs that signal at testing home water quality -

1. Water Doesn’t Quite Taste And Smell Right

There can be several reasons why your water tastes and smells weird. It can be a problem from a municipal water company or due to any contamination of underground water. It is very important to know what’s causing your home’s water to taste terrible. Here are a few possibilities for why your water tastes bad -

• If you smell rotten eggs, your water most probably has hydrogen sulfide, which usually results from sulfur-reducing bacteria.
• Overcholorination is another cause for the water to smell bad. Also, when you use household chlorine bleach, it may contaminate the water - which makes it smell bad.
• If you find a metallic taste in the water, chances are your water could have a high level of manganese, zinc, and iron. This usually comes from the mineral deposits in the bedrock around your home. (change)

All these are harmful to you and your family and pose a risk to your health. Hence, it is important to get the water in your home tested to avoid any health issues.

2. Change In Water Pressure

If you have an occasional dip in the water pressure, it is just a problem from your municipal corporation. However, if you see a persistent dip, this means there are blockages in your pipes - which are caused due to mineral buildup and rust forming in the pipes. All these make the water quality poor.

Sometimes, water pressure fluctuation is caused by clogs and pipe damage. To adjust your water pressure, you can get in touch with a professional specializing in plumbing repairs. They will repair the pipes, clear the clogs - and ensure you have great water pressure throughout your home.

3. Cloudy And Off-Colored Water

If your water seems cloudy, murky, or slightly tinged with color - it may have high contaminant levels, such as - magnesium and calcium. These can cause the water to appear milky. Meanwhile, a high mineral composition of calcium and magnesium carbonates can build up in the pipes and may sometimes flake off. This causes water to be cloudy, which is also known as pipe scale.

In addition to mineral buildup, cloudy water is the result of methane gas that gets released into the water supply due to the decomposition of organic matter. This gas is inflammable and poses a danger to homes and industries. Just like these, there are several other factors that cause the water to look cloudy or milky. Hence, it is important to get the water tested professionally.

4. Unusual Stains Or Residue

If you see reddish or brownish-colored stains in your bathtub, kitchen or bathroom sink - it means your water is contaminated. You might also see these stains on your clothes that have been washed in the sink. This is caused due to excess iron in the water supply coming from either underground or corroded pipes.

It is caused due to mineral buildup - especially with the presence of iron and copper in the water. This buildup can reduce the life of your appliances as well, as they can clog the pipes and internal components. So, if you see stains or brownish residue on your faucets, sinks, clothes, etc., call your nearest plumber in the area. They will test the water quality and suggest preventive measures or repairs.

5. Unexplained Hair Or Skin Problems

Calcium, magnesium, iron, zinc, etc., in the water can be hard on skin and hair - causing moderate to severe skin and hair issues. These may cause itchy or irritated skin right after you come out of your shower. Hard water strips away the body’s natural oil - which leaves your skin feeling everything bad. Also, it makes your hair fall way too much than usual.

In addition to these minerals, other contaminants such as - chlorine or heavy metals can further worsen the issues - especially if you have sensitive skin and hair type. Also, water quality affects the effectiveness of your soap and shampoos. So, if you find yourself using more products than you ever did - get your water tested.

6. Scale Or Scum Buildup

You may notice that your shower and kitchen sink, faucet, toilets, and bathtub drain developing unusual deposits - which is known as scale or scum buildup. They accumulate not only on the surface but also inside the appliances.

Scum and scale buildup means you have high mineral levels in your water, which include - calcium and magnesium, in addition to zinc, iron, and copper. These minerals make the water hard and cause buildups, which clog and damage the pipes and appliances. Call a clogged drain repair to get this scum buildup removed before they wreak havoc on your plumbing system.

7. Illness In The Household

Water often gets contaminated with mold, waterborne bacteria, plastic, or chemicals. The contaminated water may cause severe illnesses, such as - diarrhea, fever, fatigue, vomiting, nausea, skin rashes, etc. If these diseases persist in your household, even after getting proper treatment, you should consider testing the water quality.

If the water quality is not maintained at home - these minor and short-term issues can become severe and sometimes life-threatening. So, call a professional plumber to help you with water testing and advise you on how you can keep it optimal.