Knowing exactly what is in the water in your home is the first step in knowing how to make it the healthiest, cleanest water possible. When you consider all of the ways we depend on the tap water from our home’s faucets, cooking, showering, cleaning, drinking, it makes sense that you would want to know exactly what kind of water you are dealing with. There are many different ways you can test your water for a myriad of things. Below, our Austin TX water treatment experts lay out out a few of the most basic and most important ones.
Why Should You Test Your Water
If you have heard the term “hard water” and been confused about the meaning, you are not alone. Water hardness refers to the amount of very specific minerals in your water supply that varies greatly depending on your geographical location. Because hard water contains higher amounts of dissolved magnesium and calcium, it is not really a health issue as much as it is an annoying hurdle you need to be aware of, especially if you are a homeowner. Aside from hard water irritating those who suffer from very sensitive skin or conditions like Eczema, hard water is really only an issue when it comes to your plumbing and appliances. Hard water leaves a thick film like substance on your dishes and appliances, and it can really reduce the lifespan of those items like your dishwater, coffee maker, and other objects you regularly run water through. It can also make it difficult to get your dishes truly clean (or clean looking), and when it comes to showering, you might notice damage to your hair after long term use.
How To Test Your Water
Luckily, finding out if you have hard water is really simple and solving it is almost just as simple. For starters, you can google your area to see what the water hardness is like in your general location. This might not give you an exact level, but it can give you an idea if your home is prone to hard water or not. This web page by the U.S. Department of the Interior gives an overview of water hardness and includes a map of the United States with color coded regions. Another way to tell if you have hard water is if you ever battle with a scum like discoloration on your dishes or faucet heads. Another very simple and efficient way to know how hard your water is is to purchase a test kit from any home improvement store. This is a simple test that typically involves filling a bowl of water and inserting a test strip for a designated amount of time (see test kit instructions) and then comparing the color of the strip to a graph that is provided. Knowing that you have hard water is only part of the equation, because knowing how hard it is will help you find the right filtration process for your home.
Contact Our Austin TX Water Treatment Experts
If you have hard water, there are some very simple solutions from individual faucet filters to whole house filters and more. If you would like some professional guidance on how to know what is right for you and your home, contact the Austin TX water treatment experts at Austin Water Solutions. Let us help you get the peace of mind you deserve when it comes to your water and your home.
