Many homeowners deal with water quality issues, and most of the time, they automatically assume it’s the municipality’s fault and there’s nothing that can be done. The water might have a bad smell, taste bad, or even give you stomach aches when you drink from the tap. However, there can be a variety of causes for this problem, and there are various things you can do regardless of the root cause. Today, we’re going to go over some ways you can improve the water quality in your home.  

Causes of Low Water Quality

  First, let’s take a look at the causes of low-quality tap water. Usually, homeowners blame their municipality. You’ve probably heard someone say their city’s water is bad, or you might think that yourself.  That is often the case.  Many municipalities do have harder water than you’d expect, and while it’s still perfectly safe to use and drink in most cases, it’s certainly not pleasant. However, it’s not always that easy. Plumbing, water-related appliances, and other issues can cause low-quality tap water, too. Those things are your responsibility.  Don’t worry. We’ll cover how to fix all these issues.  

1: Install a Tap Water Filter

  The easiest, and often cheapest, way to instantly increase your water quality is to install one of two types of water filters. The first option is a large filter system that connects directly to your main water line.  This will filter tap water as it enters your home, and it’s the best solution if your municipality is known for having hard water, water with a chemical taste, or any other issues.  Another filtration option includes using tap filters on specific taps. The most common example is a kitchen faucet filter. This is a smaller filtration system that either attaches to the water line at the sink or attaches to the sink nozzle itself. You can install these on any faucet you plan to drink out of or need purified water from. The issue with the prior method is that you tend to have to replace the filters fairly frequently if you use them a lot, and the long-term cost can go up.  On a positive note, it also filters out things that are causing poor water quality within your home. This is because the filter is the last thing between the water source and your drinking glass.  

2: Repair or Replace Old Water Heaters

  Water heaters disrupt the water quality in your home. Especially if they’re old and your municipality has hard water running through the taps. The main issue is that mineral deposits build up in the water heater system, and as you use the water, those minerals are released. This can cause unpleasant odors, poor taste, and faster erosion of your pipes and other appliances such as faucets and showerheads. One of the tell-tale signs that this is a problem is if you see calcium deposits building up in your bathroom features such as the showerhead or the faucet, and an occasional smell or bad taste typically accompanies that. The easiest way to fix that problem is to replace the water heater.  This usually has to be done around the same time minerals and sediment become a problem, anyway. That is a more expensive investment in your home. So, if hard water is frequently creating this issue, dealing with that with a filtration system can be a good decision, as well.  

3: Modernize Your Home’s Pipes

  Sometimes, it’s not an appliance or the municipality that is causing the low-quality water problem. If you live in an old home with outdated pipes, those pipes might be corroding or building up sediment and minerals, and those are lowering the quality of your home’s water. As another sizeable investment, we know that most homeowners would like to put this off if they can, but modernizing your home’s pipes is an investment that will pay off for decades to come.   

4: Damage to the Pipes Outside

  If you’ve ruled out the other issues we’ve mentioned, and your neighbors have decent water, there might be an issue with the pipes running to your home. Sometimes, pipes can corrode, and minor leaks can spring; roots can cause leaks, etc. To address this type of problem efficiently, consider trenchless pipe bursting—a modern, minimally invasive solution for replacing damaged pipes without the need for extensive digging.  

Is It Necessary to Worry About Low-Quality Tap Water?

  Some of these fixes are straightforward and simple, and some are expensive home-repair investments. So, it’s natural if you’re wondering whether it’s actually necessary or not. Well, that depends on the extent of the issue. If your municipality’s water simply isn’t as tasty as you’d like, but it’s not causing any other problems, you can likely ignore the issue and buy bottled water, or you can install a filtration system. If there are issues such as sediment, mineral build-up, early degradation of appliances and pipes, or similar problems, you need to handle the problem as soon as possible. While it might seem like it’s not a huge deal, it can actually cost you a lot more by forcing premature appliance replacements, pipe failures, or even health issues. Also, while the most expensive repairs might seem like you’re spending a lot, they can not only save you money in future repair needs, but they can add value to your home if you ever decide to sell it. A home with new piping or appliances will sell higher than one that is going to require repairs soon.  

Determine the Cause of Your Water Issues and the Right Fix with Plumbing Point

  If you’re looking for effective methods to improve water quality in your home, it’s essential to identify the underlying causes of poor water conditions. However, determining the cause of the issue can be difficult if you aren’t a plumber, and most of the fixes require a professional’s help. To figure out what’s causing your water problems and get the problem solved as cost-effectively as possible, contact Plumbing Point today.