7 Questions to Ask Before Buying a Home Water Treatment System

A home water treatment system is a significant but worthwhile investment into your home and the health of your family. The average person drinks 3 to 4 liters of water per day, and of course you want it to be safe, clean, and taste great! Our experts at Dierolf Plumbing and Water Treatment are happy to help select the best system for your needs. There are a few questions you should consider first.

Perhaps you’ve noticed something undesirable about your water – maybe an unpleasant smell or taste, or calcium buildup on your faucets and showerhead. Perhaps your skin and hair are always dry after you shower, or your water isn’t perfectly clear when it comes out of the tap. Some water problems are fairly obvious. But there may be other problems lurking that are less detectable but still need to be dealt with, such as chemical, metal, or bacterial contaminants.

Before choosing a home water treatment system, we will schedule a water test to get a complete picture of the quality of your water and what areas can and should be addressed. The results will help us match you with the most efficient and cost-effective system for your particular situation.

Many of our customers in southeastern Pennsylvania get their water from private wells instead of municipal sources. There are several pros to well water. Many find that well water tastes better than “city water” because it is not treated with chlorine or other chemicals. It also has a higher mineral content and tends to be cleaner and fresher. During a natural disaster, well owners are less likely to have their water supply interrupted or contaminated.

But there are also cons to private wells. Depending on the minerals in your area, your water might have a sulfur smell or leave behind rust stains. And as a well owner, you are responsible for the quality of your own water. There is no public utility checking that your water is safe – it is up to you to make sure your well is maintained and your water regularly tested. Bacteria or parasites in your water can make you sick, and other chemicals or heavy metals can build up and cause health problems. There is a long list of pollutants that can affect your water source – everything from stormwater runoff to a failing septic tank or a dead animal falling in your well.

If you’re a well owner, a home water treatment system, paired with annual testing, can give you peace of mind that your water is clean and safe.

If you use city water, you can still benefit from a home water treatment system, especially if you’d like to improve the taste of your water.

According to the Water Footprint Calculator the average person uses 60 gallons of water per day. If you use municipal water, it’s easy enough to check the usage on your water bill. But if you have your own well, that number may shock you!

When installing a home water treatment system, it’s important to keep in mind both the size or your house and your household to make sure you select a system that can keep up with your needs.

Many homeowners in Southeast Pennsylvania experience hard water, which is the presence of calcium and magnesium in your water source. You can learn more about the signs and nuisances of hard water here.

Hard water is typically corrected with Ion Exchange Systems – you might know them as Water Softeners! These systems use an Ion Exchange System to remove calcium and magnesium from your water but add sodium. If your doctor has ever told you to watch your salt or been concerned about high blood pressure, adding sodium to your drinking water may not be a good idea. On the flip side, certain systems can remove minerals that are beneficial, and you may need a supplement to replace them. Be aware of any health concerns related to mineral imbalances and ask questions about how any changes to your water might affect them.

All systems require some maintenance, but the type, frequency, and ease varies. Often this is as simple as replacing a filter – but not always. It’s important to find out whether you will be able to handle maintenance yourself or if you will need to call in the professionals. You should ask how often the system needs to be serviced and how much that will cost. If you are able to change filters yourself, find out where you can purchase them.

A water treatment system is an investment – but one that will yield many dividends in safer, healthier, better tasting water. Addressing hard water problems or other mineral buildup will also decrease wear on pipes and appliances such as dishwashers and washing machines.

Although investing in your health and wellbeing is always priceless, you do want to be clear on all costs associated with your new system. In addition to purchase and installation, you should ask how much you should expect to spend in annual maintenance. Don’t forget to factor in how much electricity the system will use every month.

All the considerations above will help the experts at Dierolf Plumbing and Water Treatment recommend the best solution for your home. There are many types of filtering systems that can be used independently or in combination to treat and purify your water. Check out this article to learn the pros and cons of Reverse Osmosis Systems, Ultra Violet Filters, Activated Carbon Filters, Distillation Systems, and Ion Exchange Systems.

It may seem like a lot to think about, but the experts at Dierolf Plumbing and Water Treatment are here to match your answers to the best water treatment system for your home and family. The most important step is determining what you hope the system will achieve. Contact us to schedule a water test and start these discussions today.