The quality of your household drinking water has a significant effect on your overall health and well-being. You can take several steps to enhance the quality of your home’s water and ensure that it’s properly filtered and safe to drink and use. Read below for the best ways to improve the tap water in your home.
Have Your Water Tested
If you notice any changes in the taste, color, or odor of your tap water or stains or leftover residue in your sinks or shower, you should have a professional test the water right away. The technician will look for several potentially harmful substances that may be present in your water. If your primary drinking water comes from a local well, you should also test your water annually.
Flush Your Pipes
Let your faucets run cold water for around two minutes before you drink or cook with it. Your water quality can quickly deteriorate when you haven’t used it for several hours because it sits in your pipes and picks up contaminants in the meantime.
Avoid Using Hot Water for Drinking and Cooking
You should also stick to using cold water for drinking or cooking. Metals, dirt, and bacteria that accumulate in your water heater tend to dissolve while your hot water runs. Using hot water can also cause lead contaminants to leak into your drinking water if lead sources are present in your home.
Install a Water Filtration System
Home water filters connect directly to the source of your tap water. They filter out contaminants such as magnesium, calcium, and microorganisms and purify your drinking water. In many older homes with older plumbing, these systems are practically necessary.
Understanding the best ways to improve the tap water in your home enables you and your family to live happier, healthier lives. You may find that you get sick less often, have tastier drinking water, extend the life of your plumbing, and much more. All it takes is a little time and effort to create beneficial habits in your home.
