Several contaminants can negatively affect the water quality in your Boise, ID home. This includes high concentrations of minerals like calcium and magnesium, chlorine, chemicals and sediment. There are water filtration systems that Prime Plumbing LLC can install to remove these contaminants in your home. Each provides key benefits and uses different processes to purify your water. It’s ideal to know what’s available when investing in water treatment options, such as filtration, for your home.
Water Issues in Boise
While the municipal water supply in this area tends to pass safety requirements, you may still have safety concerns. Some people prefer to remove fluoride from their water. Some filters can improve the taste of your water. You can also benefit from removing heavy metals, minerals and chemicals from your water.
Investing in a water quality test before choosing a filtration system can be helpful. Knowing your primary contaminants can direct you toward equipment that accomplishes a specific task. For example, water softeners address hard water but don’t have filtration that removes particulates.
Whole-House Water Filtration Equipment
Addressing all the water in your home will ensure safe water for cooking, cleaning, bathing and doing laundry. This is a beneficial way to address multiple water concerns at one time. Depending on the system you choose and the type of filters it uses, you can use a whole-house filtration system to remove sediment, chlorine, heavy metals and more. You can pair this equipment with other units, like a water softener.
A bonus of investing in a whole-house water filtration system is that it can protect your plumbing system and appliances. Thanks to less scale buildup and reduced corrosion, you’ll experience fewer maintenance needs and repairs over time. A whole-house water conditioner is another option, but it doesn’t filter water. Instead, it prevents limescale build-up from harming your pipes and appliances and drying out skin and hair. This makes a big difference with our hard water problem here in Boise.
Different Types of Filters
This system may use several types of filters. For example, a pre-filter removes large sediments and protects the following filters. Carbon filtration does an excellent job of removing bad tastes and odors, chlorine and organic chemicals. Post- or polishing filters remove things left behind by the previous filters. Kinetic degradation fluxion filters can remove heavy metals like mercury, chlorine and lead from water. Specific filters remove iron and manganese from your water, which can produce a metallic taste and cause staining.
Water Softeners
Hard water tends to be a big issue in Boise, meaning there are high concentrations of calcium and magnesium in the water. A water softener uses an ion exchange process to remove these minerals, replacing them with potassium or sodium. A water softener can also prevent mineral deposits on fixtures, faucets and appliances’ interior components. These deposits can cause issues with water flow and result in frequent repair needs.
Water softeners require minimal maintenance. A regeneration cycle runs automatically to refresh the ions in the unit. However, for this process to work correctly, you must periodically replace the salt in the unit. The difference between a softener and conditioner is that a softener actually removes the excess minerals. Conditioners prevent them from causing limescale build-up, but don’t necessarily remove them completely.
Reverse Osmosis Systems
Reverse osmosis systems work well for purifying water for drinking purposes. They use a semi-permeable membrane through which water is forced to remove nitrates, heavy metals, sediment, fluoride, minerals and lead. Filtered water is stored in a tank and ready for use. One downside to a reverse osmosis water system is that it creates a lot of water waste. This can be bad for the environment. However, they require minimal space and tend to be an affordable investment. Remember, this equipment will not filter all the water in your home. It usually includes a dedicated faucet that you install in your kitchen.
Reverse osmosis systems use several filters, which must be replaced approximately once every 6 to 12 months. The storage tank also needs to be disinfected and flushed routinely. Your installer can give you more specific details about the steps needed and how to make a maintenance schedule.
UV Light Filtration
A UV light can be installed in your plumbing system to remove bacteria, viruses and other microorganisms from your water supply. This equipment doesn’t remove particulate matter. Rather, it exposes pathogens to UV-C light, destroying their cellular structure. This type of equipment is often used with other types of filtration. There are no expensive filters that require replacement with UV filtration. You’ll need to clean the light and replace the bulb periodically.
Faucet Filtration
Faucet filtration is an affordable and fast option for removing bad taste and odors from your water. It’s easy to install and can remove chlorine and some larger sediment particles.
Choosing a Water Filtration System
There are several things to consider when choosing a filtration system. Think about your budget and what you want to spend. You should consider the upfront cost of a filtration system and the required ongoing maintenance and upkeep. Use professional installation to ensure the integrity of your water filtration system and prevent water damage. Consider brand reputability and warranty coverage for a filtration system you’re considering. This can give you peace of mind and reduce repair costs over time.
Signs You Need a Water Filtration System
If you’re considering investing in a water filtration system, consider these things:
Taste and Smell
Water that tastes bad can be unappealing to drink and cook with. Common complaints include water that tastes metallic or smells like sulfur.
Visible Particulates
Do you see small particles in your water when it comes out of the faucet? Filtration can remove these. However, other plumbing issues may need to be addressed. Consult with a professional to rule out things like backflow.
Health Concerns
Cleaner water may benefit people with chronic health problems. You should also consider any symptoms you or your family members are experiencing. It’s common for contaminated water to cause gastrointestinal symptoms like nausea, bloating and diarrhea.
Well Water Concerns
If your water comes from a private well, you may risk contamination from bacteria, nitrates or pesticides. Because the local municipality doesn’t do monitoring on individual wells, this is something that you should plan to complete once a year to confirm that your drinking water is safe. Water filtration can preemptively reduce the risk that contaminants in your well will end up in your food and drink. However, it doesn’t take the place of annual tests.
Chemical Concerns
Local municipalities commonly use chemicals to disinfect water. If you are sensitive to chemical exposure or are concerned about their health effects, filtration can help.
Ongoing Plumbing Issues
It’s not uncommon for poor-quality water to cause frequent plumbing issues. This includes clogs and decreased water pressure caused by mineral deposits and sediment accumulation. Water quality may be to blame if you have the same areas of your plumbing repaired frequently or have ongoing appliance issues. This includes frequent hard water stains on dishes, clothing and fixtures.
Prime Plumbing LLC‘s plumbing services pros can help you select and install a water filtration system in your Boise home. We can also help with plumbing maintenance and repairs, ensuring a safe and healthy water supply every time you turn on a faucet or fixture. Contact Prime Plumbing LLC in Boise today to schedule an appointment with our team.
