We take advantage of our home water supply multiple times a day, for everything from cooking to cleaning, bathing, and washing our clothes. Most of us turn on the faucet without giving it a second thought. However, as time passes, you may start to notice spots on your glassware, a strange taste in your tap water, or dry skin after a shower.
These telltale signs can point to a bigger issue: your water quality might not be up to scratch. Whether your current setup needs updating or you don’t yet have a system at all, it could be time to make a change. Here are seven indications that your home probably needs a better water filtration system.
Buildup Around Faucets and Fixtures
The white, chalky residue around your showerheads and faucets is limescale. Far from a cosmetic issue, this mineral buildup can wear down fixtures and clog your pipes. If you live in a hardwater region, you might find it helpful to research the best water treatment systems for Arizona or similar options. It’s key to tackle this kind of buildup before it causes more serious issues.
Water Tastes or Smells Weird
Tap water can take on strange smells if it contains too many minerals. If your tap water has a metallic tang or a chlorine smell, it can also hint at the presence of excess chemicals. Ideally, you want your tap water to taste like nothing. A good filtration system can help you achieve that by removing impurities so you’re left with clean, refreshing water.
Your Hair and Skin Feel Dry
Hard water is notorious for stripping away natural oils from your body. You’re most likely to notice this effect directly after having a shower. If your hair feels dry or your skin is irritated, your water might be to blame. Fortunately, the solution is as simple as installing a home water softener or filtration system to reduce the harsh minerals in your home’s water supply.
Laundry Doesn’t Seem As Fresh
When water is rich with minerals, it can impact the efficacy of laundry detergent. You might notice that your clothes don’t feel as clean and soft as they usually do. Maybe they look faded or are wearing out faster than they should.
Softening and filtering your water can solve this problem and save you money in the long run by extending the life of your clothing and even reducing the amount of soap you need.
Toilet and Sink Stains
It’s endlessly frustrating when you spend time scrubbing the toilet bowl, bathtub, or sink only to have rusty orange or bluish-green stains reappear. These are usually signs of minerals or metals in your water. Over time, these strains can become hard to remove.
More importantly, they may signal that your plumbing is being affected, too. If it seems bad in visible areas, the places you can’t see (like the inside of pipes) could be much worse.
You’ve Never Installed a Water Filter System
Even if your water is tasteless and odorless, and you haven’t noticed any suspect stains, that doesn’t technically mean it’s clean. Municipal water can still contain sediment, chlorine, and other unwanted nasties. If you’ve never installed a filter or water softener in your home, you might be missing out on the benefits for you, your family, and your property.
You Want to Protect Pipes and Appliances
They may be out of sight, out of mind, but your pipes and appliances all come into contact with your water daily. Things like your water heater, dishwasher, and even coffee machine can all suffer greatly if your water is full of minerals and debris. Impure water will shorten the lifespan of those systems and could lead to expensive repairs.
While a water filtration or softening system requires an initial investment, it can save you money long term. Your appliances will run more efficiently, reducing electricity consumption and running costs. They also last longer, so you don’t need to deal with the headache of buying replacements so often.
Endnote
If you’ve noticed one or more of these signs, it could be time to rethink your home’s water setup. There are endless benefits to introducing a water filtration system or water softener to your property. In terms of drinking experience, it improves the taste and smell. It removes impurities and protects your family’s health, giving you peace of mind.
Clean water also makes for a more comfortable living experience, from spot-free crockery to softer hair when you get out of the shower. Finally, it extends the lifetime of your appliances, saving you time, money, and energy. Pure, fresh water isn’t a luxury, it’s a smart, attainable upgrade for your whole home.