Why Is Water Quality Important?

Water is an essential element that is all around and even within us. We can survive weeks without food but will suffer fatally if we go without water for even several days. Water quality in your home’s plumbing system is important for a couple of reasons. For one, it affects your health. Bad quality water may contain dangerous microbes, bacteria, and pathogens. The quality of the water is also important for the condition of your plumbing system. Heavy metals, minerals, and chemicals can damage your plumbing system and force you to get costly repairs or replacements. Mr. Rooter Plumbing has years of experience dealing with water quality and plumbing systems. Call Mr. Rooter Plumbing if you ever need assistance with yours.

Common Water Quality Issues

• Hard Water: Though it is not necessarily a health risk, “Hard” water has a high amount of dissolved minerals that can cause mineral buildup in pipes, appliances, and plumbing systems. That chalky deposit on your faucets and sinks is a strong indicator that you have a “hard” water source. A water softener can solve hard water issues. Call Mr. Rooter Plumbing if you need an affordable and reliable water softener installation.
• pH Levels: Pure water has a pH level of 7. The Environmental Protection Agency suggests that water with pH levels of between 6.5 and 8.5 are safe to drink. Water with pH levels lower that 7 are considered acidic and that with pH levels higher than 7 are basic and taste bitter. Low pH can be solved with a water softener and an acid neutralizer can take care of high pH water.
• Foul Smell and Taste: If your water smells or tastes bad then be very careful! Foul odors can be a sign of decaying organic matter in the plumbing system. Drinking this water can be dangerous for your health. If the smell is coming from hot water specifically, then it might be time to replace the anode rod in the water heater.

Health Risks of Poor-Quality Water
Poor-quality water can contain a myriad of bacteria, parasites, viruses, and pathogens. Some of the common health problems associated with poor-quality water include:

• Diarrhea: This is probably the most common result of drinking poor-quality water. Microscopic parasites, contagious viruses, e. coli, and bacterial infections cause serious diarrhea.
• Liver Infection: Hepatitis A is a contagious and dangerous liver infection caused by a virus.

Risks to Your Plumbing System

Plumbing systems are sensitive and poor-quality water is one of the threats. Hard water is high in dissolved minerals that can form mineral buildups in your pipes. Similarly, water with pH over 7 may leave mineral deposits in the drains. These can cause blockages that may eventually lead to leaking and other damage to your pipes.

Call the Professionals 
If you believe your water quality is poor, then put your faith in the plumbing experts at Mr. Rooter Plumbing. We are available around the clock and can have a certified plumber at your location within the hour. All it takes is one call.