How is the water quality in your home? Do you know? Most of us in the United States take drinking water for granted, as we generally have access to it. This situation is far from the norm, historically, as waterborne diseases were one of the leading causes of death throughout history. Even today, water is not necessarily as safe and clean as we may think. Water crises, such as the recent Flint, Michigan disaster, are sobering reminders of what can happen when our carefully planned systems and structures break down in unexpected ways.
Even though municipal water treatment plants usually do a great job of cleaning our water to make it potable and safe, you can gain peace of mind and better, cleaner, and more salubrious water by installing a high-quality water filtration system. Not only can such a system improve your drinking and bathing water, but it can increase the value of your house by protecting your pipes and fixtures from scale and contaminant build-up.
Understanding the Value of a Quality Water System
The tricky thing about water is that it is a very powerful solvent. Known as the "universal solvent," water dissolves more substances than any other solvent known. Water dissolves things slowly and thoroughly, meaning that anything that is on the surface of the planet could conceivably be in any given glass of water. Water filtration is thus one of the most basic and important activities that human beings can engage in, and indeed, water filtration using activated carbon dates back to prehistoric times.
The long and short of it is that water is problematic, and for most of human history, it represented a continual danger. Having a home filtration system gives you a degree of control over that danger rather than leaving you at the mercy of the proper functioning of your city treatment plant. With a wide variety of custom filters available, you can create a tailor-made water filtration system that targets the contaminants in your water.
Types of Quality Water Systems
There are a variety of high-quality home filtration systems available on the market today, but there are a few central options that you will likely be choosing from. One of the most popular home filtration systems is a water softener. Water softeners use ion-exchange resin beads to remove calcium and magnesium from water, the so-called "hardness-causing" minerals. The unsightly white build-ups you see on your showerheads and faucets are primarily made up of calcium. Installing a home softener is one of the most important upgrades you can make to your home because it protects many other elements within your home.
Where a water softener really shines is in its ability to protect and extend the life of your water heater, pipes, fixtures, and appliances. They also make bathing a much more luxurious experience, giving water the soft, slippery feel that so many people enjoy. Soft water makes for more comfortable clothes, as hard water leaves minerals embedded in our clothing when washed with it. Soft water won't leave any scale in your pipes or on your appliances, extending the life of your home plumbing.
A water softener isn't the ideal choice for everyone, though. If you live in an area with relatively soft water already, or if you have concerns about the added sodium from a water softener, then you might consider an undersink filtration system or a distinct type of whole-house filtration unit. Nearly all multi-stage filtration systems begin with a sediment filter before proceeding onto activated carbon filters; a sediment-water system helps protect your water filtration components downstream from physical particulates like dust, dirt, rust, and clay. After the sediment filter, which is typically made of polypropylene, we will usually find activated carbon, which filters out chemical contaminants through a process called adsorption.
Once you have sediment and carbon filters in play, you can finish the system with any additional cartridges you would like, depending on your water quality and the contaminants you are aiming to remove.
How a Quality Water System Enhances Home Value
Having clean, potable water on tap is reward enough in itself, but you get an added benefit when you install a home filtration system: protection of your property against scale build-up, sediment damage to pipes and fixtures, and other contaminant problems. The best way to combat these problems is with a whole-house filtration system, also called a "point of entry" (POE) system, as it cleans the water at the spot where the water enters the home. This is in contrast to a "point of use" (POU) system, which filters the water right before it is drunk or bathed in. Examples include under-sink filters and showerhead filters.
How to Choose the Right Water System for Your Home
With so many options available, it can be difficult to know where to start. Water filters are designed to solve a problem, but you need to know what problems you are dealing with before you can choose a solution. The best place to start is to get a handle on what is going on in your water. Check the most recent federally mandated water quality report for your city. Every city in the US is federally required to make this information available to the public, and a quick Google search should bring results. If you are on well water, you should get your water professionally tested at a certified laboratory. Such tests are readily available and typically cost around one hundred dollars.
Once you know what is in your water, you will be able to determine what types of filters would work best to reduce them. If you are on city water, you will likely be targeting chlorine and chloramines, as well as disinfectant by-products and any other potential contaminants that are local to your area. If you are on well water, the big worry is microbial contamination: parasites, cysts, helminths, protozoa, and all manner of harmful bacteria and viruses find their way into water. To treat these sorts of problems, you will need a home chlorination system, a UV system, or both.
Installation and Maintenance of Water Systems
The difficulty of installing home water filtration systems differs from system to system. For a large POE system like a water softener, professional installation is a must. However, many undersink filter systems, even multi-stage RO systems, can be installed by DIY-ers with basic tools and handiwork experience. Maintaining a water filtration system comes down to changing the filters regularly. Different filters have different life cycles, so be sure to check your manufacturer's recommendations regarding filter replacement.
Conclusion
A home water filtration system is not only a good investment for you and your family, but an economic asset to your property. Water runs through the pipes of our buildings and homes much as it runs through the veins of our bodies. Contaminants will do damage in either setting, so avoid the problems that bad water brings, and spring for a home filtration system.
