6 Common Water Problems and How to Fix Them
At Veridis Plumbing & Heating, we believe that water is the world’s most precious resource and that clean, safe drinking water is a basic human right. We’re very fortunate that the water quality in the Cowichan Valley on Vancouver Island is better than in many other parts of the world; however, there are several factors that contribute to contamination of our water, particularly on the east coast between Victoria and Nanaimo. Logging operations, poorly maintained septic tank systems, agriculture, urbanization and the resulting population growth result in higher levels of pollutants being distributed throughout the Cowichan region. So, what does this mean for the quality of your water?
6 Common Water Quality Problems:
- Smelly, bad-tasting water – if your water smells like a rotten egg or has a metallic or earthy taste, it needs some attention from a plumbing professional! It might be time for a drain inspection to get to the root of the problem.
- Limescale – you might notice white, chalky build-up around faucets and in the shower. Not only is this unsightly, but it can also harbour harmful bacteria and cause bigger plumbing issues like pipe blockages, restricted water flow and significantly reduced heat transfer efficiency of boilers and cooling water systems.
- Water Stains – can be caused by excess iron, water hardness, natural acid or dissolved minerals in your water. However, if you see a water stain on your ceiling, this can be an indicator of a more serious heating appliance or plumbing leak.
- Smell and/or Taste of Chlorine – municipalities generally use chlorine or chloramine as a disinfectant to kill harmful bacteria in our water. While the level of chlorine in our drinking water should be safe for consumption, it’s possible for chlorine to react with organic matter in our pipes and produce byproducts that can be harmful to ingest over time. Our experts at Veridis can test your water to make sure it’s safe!
- Cloudy Water – greyish, murky water might simply be the result of air bubbles in the water, although it is usually caused by dissolved or suspended solids. It is possible that the murkiness is caused by unsafe pathogens or chemicals in your water and it’s always best to have it professionally tested (and ideally to install a water filtration system) to ensure your water is clean and safe.
- Hard Water – contains dissolved calcium, magnesium and often iron. As the minerals in hard water build up over time, we can be in for a host of plumbing problems if we don’t get on top of this water quality issue early enough. This buildup can result in clogged pipes, reduced water flow, and stress on the pipes that will ultimately need to be replaced. Hard water also reduces the efficiency of your appliances; for example, your water heater will be working to heat not only the water, but also the mineral scale buildup inside the tank.
Add Water Treatment to Your Spring Cleaning List
Some of these common problems are obvious indicators of water quality issues – like cloudy, smelly, or brownish water – while others are more subtle. Hard water is one of the less apparent water treatment issues, but if you pay attention to how the water in your home feels on your skin (as though there’s a sort of film on your hands after washing them, or they feel dry and dull as a result of not being able to completely rinse the soap away), you notice spots on glasses and dishes after washing them in the dishwasher, or you become aware of a film or limescale buildup on your shower tiles or fixtures, you likely have a hard water problem.
Our professionals at Veridis Plumbing & Heating can help you solve all of your water problems! We serve the Southern Vancouver Island area from Nanaimo to Victoria, and we’re proud to be a dealer of Kinetico water treatment products. When you start preparing your home for spring cleaning this year, be sure to include water testing and treatment on your to-do list – call us today for a comprehensive water quality consultation!
