Plumber Tips On How To Have Clean Drinking Water | Universal City, TX
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It’s essential to have clean drinking water as it provides nourishment and also prevents certain diseases. As a homeowner, it’s your responsibility to ensure that the water flowing through your pipes is safe to drink and is not contaminated with bacteria and germs. This article will talk about the many ways to ensure clean drinking water in your home.
If you have questions or other issues with your water, please don’t hesitate to contact a plumber in Universal City, TX, for assistance.
Waterborne Germs Can Grow in your Plumbing Pipes
Because tap water is not sterile, that means that it can have germs in it too. When the germs get into the pipes, it’s possible for them to grow and multiply, especially when the tap water has not been turned on for weeks or months.
Most healthy people exposed to germs in the pipes don’t get sick, but others may be at risk for an infection. They include smokers, people over 50 years old, people with health issues such as diabetes or kidney failure, and infants under six months old.
If you suspect or see signs that there might be issues with your drinking water, please contact a plumber immediately so we can do a proper inspection, diagnose the problem, and then permanently resolve the issue.
As much as possible, never postpone any repairs or other issues with your plumbing as that might lead to more problems and other costly repairs.
How to Protect Yourself From Waterborne Germs at Home
Below are some tips to protect yourself from germs that may be harmful to your health.
Flush the Faucets and Showerheads
If you have been away for a vacation for at least a week or more, then ensure that you flush these fixtures before using them for the first time. Simply open the cold water tap and let it run for at least two minutes. Next, turn it off and then open the hot water tap fully. Again, let it run until it starts to feel hot. And then turn it off. For faucets with just one handle, put the handle to the cold setting first and let it run for at least two minutes, then to the hot setting and let it run until it starts to get hot.
Doing this flushes the germs or allergens that are in the fixtures. If you run into a problem or the water suddenly changes color, contact a licensed plumber in Universal City, TX, for assistance. The plumber can thoroughly inspect your plumbing system, find the root cause of the problem, and then resolve it for you.
Maintain All Devices That Use Water
To prevent exposure to any germs, make sure that you regularly clean all devices to remove any germs and other impurities. Disinfecting them will kill the germs. Also, ensure that you’re following the manufacturer’s recommendation for using, cleaning, and storing the devices such as portable humidifiers, showerheads, water heaters, and faucet aerators. If you need more assistance, contact a plumber.
How to clean the faucet aerators and showerheads:
Cleaning may require you to completely remove the showerhead and soak it in a white vinegar solution to get rid of the buildup. Make sure that you follow the manufacturer’s instructions for cleaning to avoid other issues.
How to maintain the water heater:
Setting the temperature to an appropriate level reduces the growth of some germs such as Legionella. Consider setting the temperature to at least 130 degrees Fahrenheit to kill harmful germs. However, keep in mind that it may also increase your risk of scalding. Take extra precautions, especially when there are small children in your household. Call a plumber if you need further assistance with your water heater.
You need to also flush the water heater to extend its lifespan and to conserve energy at home. While it’s recommended that you flush your water heater at least once a year, it’s also important to flush it before moving into a new home, after any plumbing work, and if the water is discolored. Flushing the sediment buildup in your water heater can improve its efficiency and also reduce the likelihood of water leaks in the water heater tank. If you need additional help, please don’t hesitate to contact a plumber.
Contact Your Water Utility
Sometimes there may be disruptions to the flow of water going into your home. Examples are when they make repairs to the water system or if the water main breaks. In these disruptions, germs may be able to enter through the pipes. Ensure that you stay informed by following recommendations by the water utility regarding the water use during advisory.
If the water pressure in your home suddenly decreases, then contact your water utility. And don’t forget to flush your faucet and showerheads before using them again.
Watch for Cloudy Water
When it comes to your drinking water, it’s always better to be safe than sorry. Contact your water utility right away or a plumber asap to help you resolve the issue.
Contact a plumber when you notice something is off with the water, such as a change in taste or appearance, after moving to a new home, if the water appliance begins collecting residue or if there’s a mineral buildup in the fixtures. You may also speak with a plumber about a water test to ensure that your drinking water is safe.
Install a Water Filtration System
A water filtration system helps decontaminate water by using a chemical process, physical barrier or biological process. Some homeowners install water filtration systems to help them remove bacteria or chlorine and to have a better tasting or better-smelling water. In some places, they filter the water to remove the lead, preventing the harmful substance from entering your body. Another benefit of a water filtration system is that it can provide you with clean drinking water. This means that there is no need to buy plastic water bills. You don’t only save money but also help the environment at the same time.
Filtered water can reduce the risk of gastrointestinal disease and other illnesses, especially to people at risk, by more than 33 percent. It also serves as a good defense against thousands of toxins found in drinking water. Other health benefits include reducing the risk of colon or bladder cancer by removing chlorine. You can use filtered water for cooking, bathing, or brushing your teeth.
Types of Water Filtration Systems
What water filtration systems can you install in your home? If you’re thinking about installing one, contact a plumber in Universal City, TX, to help you make an informed decision on what to install for your home. Don’t worry; these systems can provide you with clean drinking water at home.
Activated Carbon
The activated carbon filter is one of the most commonly used water filters that use activated carbon granules in attracting and trapping chemical impurities.
This type of filter can remove chlorine and also improve the taste and odor of the water. Other activated carbon filters can also remove contaminants such as lead, asbestos, and mercury. However, they don’t remove fluoride, nitrate, and other inorganic pollutants. If you have a high concentration of hard water in your home, this type of filter may not be the ideal one for you. Speak with a plumber to help you make an informed decision on what type of filter to use.
Reverse Osmosis
Reverse Osmosis is a water technology that removes the majority of the contaminants in your water by pushing the water through a membrane under pressure. The process uses a high-pressure pump to increase the pressure on the salt side of the Reverse Osmosis and then force the water through the semi-permeable membrane. The desalinated water is called permeate water, while the water with the contaminants that did not pass through the membrane is called the reject stream. RO is capable of removing up to 99 percent of particles, organics, and bacteria from the water.
Distillation
Distillation can effectively remove contaminants from your drinking water, including inorganic, organic compounds, and bacteria. The process relies on evaporation to purify the water. The contaminated water is heated to form steam. The organic and non-organic compounds don’t evaporate and are therefore left behind. The steam cools off and condenses, then forms the purified water.
Ion Exchange
Ion exchange works by removing the ionic contaminants (dissolved) from the water in your home and then swapping for the better ones. This process doesn’t just remove the contaminants from your water but also softens them.
Ultraviolet Treatment Systems
This is a treatment process that uses UV lights to disinfect the water or reduce the number of bacteria present in the water. They are highly effective in removing Giardia or protozoa. This type of treatment can also remove Salmonella and Shigella. UV treatment systems can also remove viruses, but they are not effective in removing chemicals.
Practice Good Hygiene
In addition, it’s also important that everyone in the family practice good hygiene. If possible, call a plumber to install hands-free devices such as hands-free faucets or smart toilets. That way, you can prevent the spread of bacteria and viruses.
How to Choose Home Water Filters
We suggest that you speak with a plumber if you’re thinking about installing a water treatment system for your home. Our team of plumbers can educate you on the different types of filters and water treatment systems suitable for your home or business.
In choosing water filtration systems for your home, one thing to keep in mind is that not all filters are created equal as they have different functions. Some of them can make your water taste better, while other filters can remove harmful germs or chemicals in your water. In addition, you need to remember that no single filter can keep all types of contaminants out of your drinking water.
The water that comes out of your faucet may contain some chlorine substances that kill germs in water and fluoride, which prevents tooth decay. Speak to a plumber as filters can remove both harmful and good substances from your water.
There are several types of filters available in the market, and if you’re not familiar with them or don’t know how they work, it would be best to speak with a plumber in Universal City, TX.
NSF Ratings
The NSF International is an organization that develops public health standards for filters and other products. In choosing a filter, try to look for the NSF certification on the label. You’ll know what type of germs or contaminants the filter can remove. You may also contact a plumber in Universal City, TX, for assistance.
Filter’s Pore Size
Those tiny holes you see in your filters are called the pore size. The smaller the pores, the smaller contaminants they can remove from your water. If the filter you bought has a pore size of 1 micron, that means that contaminants smaller than the size of the pore’s filter will be removed, while contaminants that are larger don’t go into the filter.
Contact bluefrog Plumbing + Drain of San Antonio
If you’re planning to install a water filtration system for your home, please contact us right away. We’ll quickly dispatch our highly experienced and skilled plumbers in Universal City, TX, for assistance. Our team has been helping out residents in installing their water filtration systems. We can also educate you on what type of filter is best for your home.
You may also contact us if you need any plumbing repair, installation, or maintenance. bluefrog Plumbing + Drain of San Antonio operates 24/7. Call us anytime, and we’ll always be available to help! Contact us today for an appointment.
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