Contaminated Water Archives - Ising's Culligan

Why You Should Test Your Well Water Regularly

The safety of your home’s water is one of the most important things you should concern yourself with. The quality of your water can directly tie into the health of your family as you continue to drink water for drinking, cooking, cleaning and other household uses.

As a result, it becomes essential to test the quality of your home’s water even if you don’t see, feel, or taste something wrong with it, especially if your home has a well water system.

Common Issues with Well Water Systems

Private wells source water from groundwater, which means that as precipitation passes through the soil, rocks and minerals can accumulate as well and contaminate the water. Additionally, substances can enter the watery supply through the pipes and plumbing too,

This can change the way the water tastes, smells, or even how it looks. It can also make the water time, which over time can cause a lot of damage to the plumbing fixtures, leave spots on dishes or clothes, and even make your skin or hair dryer.

But, these are all things that you can notice sooner or later. There are a variety of other important issues that will only become clear through testing:

Volatile organic compounds
pH levels
Lead
Arsenic
Nitrates, etc.

It’s a good idea to test the water if you notice any changes, or if you’ve made repairs or changes to the plumbing system.

How Can You Test Your Well Water?

There are several easy in-home water testing solutions, but the best way to approach the process is through a dedicated professional who will also know what to look for. Water testing requires a laboratory analysis of the sample to determine whether the water is contaminated, as well as the extent of the contamination.

Based on the results, you might need to make certain changes to your home water system in order to restore the quality of your water and prevent it from getting contaminated again down the line. If you need help in this department, we at Ising’s Culligan of Stockton offer a free in-home water test which is performed by a licensed Culligan water expert.

Get in Touch Today

Ising’s Culligan of Stockton does far more than water testing. We can help you make the best choices to improve your home’s water systems.

To find out more, use this online contact form or call us directly at 209-690-0007.

Why do you need a water softener?

Hard water is a common problem encountered by many homeowners. Water hardness is caused by high concentrations of minerals present in the water. In fact, that’s how “hard water” got its name, from the hardened mineral deposits this kind of water leaves behind. Over time these deposits can accumulate, clog, or even corrode pipes and cause major plumbing problems. Hard water deposits can build up in boilers and hot water heaters, making them less efficient and more expensive to use. What other damage can hard water cause?

Damage caused by Hard Water

Hard water can cause damage to your appliances and fixtures in your home, as well as affect your health. Here’s how water damage can cause harm in different ways:

Skin & Hair Dryness

Hard water doesn’t only affect your home appliances, but it also damages your skin and dries your hair. It can cause dry and itchy skin with blocked pores. The blocked pores can cause blackheads, pimples, and sometimes even inflammation and eczema. When we use soap with hard water, it doesn’t dissolve with it, and it forms a soapy layer on your skin. This layer traps all the bacteria and germs even after washing your hands.

Stains and Spots

Hard water’s mineral deposits can build up anywhere water is present, leaving rings and spots on glass, toilets, bathtubs, and sinks. These stains are persistent, and even if you remove them, they will come back until your hard water problem is fixed. Use of a soft water system eliminates hard water and prevents staining.

Scale Buildup

Mineral deposits cause scale buildups. The scales can show up on your pots, teakettles, cutlery, coffeepots, glassware, and dinnerware. These scales are hard to remove, and they can even grow inside your plumbing fixtures and appliances, including your washing machines, dishwashers, and more. This creates unnecessary wear and tear on your plumbing system, reducing its lifespan.

Faded or Gray Laundry

Hard water also makes your soap and detergents less effective. The scummy residue left behind when your soap binds with the minerals in hard water is the leading cause of your faded clothes and linens. Your clothes become stiff and dull when washed in hard water.

Benefits of A Water Softener

We know that a water softener can be a lifesaver, but how can it benefit our homes and everyday life? Here are some key benefits of installing a water softener in your home:

Saves Money

You may be wondering how water softening can save you money? Hard water shortens the life of your plumbing and appliances. With softened water, minerals are no longer present thus preventing excess wear like scale buildup in your pipes and home appliances. This significantly cuts down your repair costs and saves you a lot of money.

Softer Skin & Cleaner Hair

Soft water is really good for your skin. Unlike hard water, it doesn’t cause soap to stick on your skin and block your pores. It mixes up well with your soap and shampoo, providing you a better experience while bathing or showering. Soft water doesn’t rinse off any natural oils on our skin and hair, making your skin and hair softer and healthier. If you suffer from frizzy hair, you’ll be amazed at the difference in smoothness with soft water.

Cleaner and Softer Clothes

Hard water makes our clothes rough and dull, and even detergents are unable to properly clean our clothes. Soft water makes our clothes much brighter, cleaner, and softer. If you face color fading problems, then you must use a water softener to remove any minerals from your hard water that are damaging your clothes.

Need for a Water Softener

If you are facing issues with hard water, then you are probably in need of a water softener. All minerals that cause hardness of your water are removed with the help of a water softener. A Culligan Water Softener system saves you from various damage, such as staining, scale buildup, faded laundry, skin dryness, hair dryness, and much more. Buying the right water softener can save your health, time, money, and house appliances. Schedule a free in-home water test to find out if a water softener is right for your home.

Why should I test my water at home?

It is always a wise option to get your home’s water tested before you start drinking or utilizing it. Contaminated water causes harm to both your body and your home, and when we consume such water daily, it can cause long-term issues. Many people suffer health issues because they unknowingly drink contaminated water.

Testing your water is the best possible way to save yourself from any harm caused by common contaminates in your water. It will give you an idea of how safe your water is, and what actions you can take to improve it. Here are some reasons you may want to consider testing your home’s water:

Most water contaminants have no smell, taste, or color, so you may not notice water contamination by observing or smelling it; professional water testing is the best possible solution for catching such contaminants.

Plumbing material can sometimes pollute your water. Copper, lead, and plastic are often found in water, which makes it less healthy. Consuming such water can cause adverse reactions to your body and home appliances.

Tap and well water may contain biological pollutants such as algae bloom, coliform, E. Coli, Giardia, and Nitrates. These contaminants can cause intestinal and digestive illness, reproductive disorders, and nervous system maladies.

Your peace of mind is worth it. When you are sure that your drinking water is clean, then you will be less worried about your family’s health.

Another question that might be in your head is that when should I get my water tested?

When to Test your Water?

It is suggested by the EPA (Environment Protection Agency) that you should get your water tested once per year. If you experience some of the symptoms listed below, you may want to test your water more frequently:

Stomach & Digestive Problem

Contaminated water can play a significant role in your digestive and stomach problems. The food we eat also contributes a lot to such issues, but common water contaminates could be the root cause if you have any kind of recurring digestive or stomach issues.

Smelly, cloudy, frothy water

If any of these appear in your water, then you must get a water test immediately. Smelly, bubbly, or cloudy water is caused by several contaminants, which can be harmful to your body.

Older Homes

If you live in an older home, then your plumbing system might be old as well. These old systems cause the mixing of copper and lead in water through pipes. Copper and lead are two very harmful substances that can cause serious harm to your health.

Rusty or Red stains on your Sink & Clothing

If you see such stains after washing your clothes with water or on your sink, then your water is most likely contaminated, and you must get it professionally tested.

Is it possible to test your water at home?

Yes, you can use a home water test, but the results will not be as accurate or thorough as a professional water test. Here is how you can test your drinking water at home:

What should I do next?

To help sustain the life of your household appliances, leave your water problem-solving to a Culligan Water Expert. They’ll visit your home to evaluate your water and uncover any contaminants that may be within it. Best of all, they’ll provide a customized solution that treats the problem at the source so you’ll never worry about the quality of your water again. It’s a win for you and your home. Schedule a free in-home water test today!