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When Should I Get My Tap Water Tested in My New Hampshire Home?

10740003635_0345281c6b_mDo you know what’s in your home’s water? There are all kinds of contaminants that can pollute the tap water in New Hampshire homes. Some of those contaminants are detectable by the human senses or the stains they leave behind on your home’s surfaces, while others are virtually invisible and have no taste or smell. The only way to truly know exactly what’s inside of your water is to have it tested. Today we’re going to talk about some of the most common signs that you should have your water tested and why testing is a good idea for every home.

When should I get my tap water tested?

  • When you want to install a water filtration system. There are many different types of water filtration systems, and each one can address a different set of issues. Before you install a water treatment system in your home, you should have your water tested to determine what particular quality issues you’re facing. This will ensure that you choose the right system for the job.
  • When your water tastes or smells strange. Pure water will never give off any strong tastes or smells. If your water tastes bad or has an offensive odor, it’s almost certainly due to the fact that it contains contaminants. Testing your water will explain what is producing the weird flavors or smells, and it will allow you to figure out the best ways to get rid of them.
  • When your water isn’t clear. You know what clean water looks like: it’s completely clear and doesn’t contain any floating particles. If your water has a colored tint to it or you can see particles floating around in it, you should schedule a water quality analysis to pinpoint what’s causing the problem.
  • When you find stains around your home. Are you finding white, brown, red or yellow stains around your home, especially on plumbing surfaces that come into frequent contact with your water? Don’t just assume those stains have always been there; get your water tested to see if there are contaminants that are to blame.
  • When you experience symptoms of hard water. Hard water can cause all sorts of problems in your home, which you can read about here. Here at McBride’s, we measure hardness levels as a part of all of our water testing services. If you suspect that your home has hard water, schedule a water test to know for sure. The test results might even uncover other quality issues that you weren’t aware of.
  • When family members have unexplained illnesses. There are a number of water contaminants that can make people sick when consumed. Most of these contaminants do not have any tastes or smells, so the only way to identify them is through a water test. If you or any of your family members are frequently ill and you don’t know why, schedule a water quality analysis to determine whether or not the issue is due to poor-quality drinking water.
  • When you are concerned about your long-term health. Are you someone who is always thinking about how to maximize your health and longevity? Whereas some water contaminants can affect your immediate health, others can cause you to develop chronic illnesses over time, some of which can be deadly. By testing your water, you can find out if you’re being exposed to these types of contaminants and take the necessary steps to remove them if they are present.

Everyone can benefit from water testing

Although all of the situations above are great indications that you should get your water tested, the truth is that everyone can benefit from a water quality analysis. This is especially true if you’ve never gotten your water tested or if you’ve recently moved to a new home. Poor water quality might be causing problems in your home that you didn’t even realize could be caused by water contaminants. In addition, your water might contain contaminants that are undetectable now but can cause chronic health problems later.
If you have any questions about whether or not you should get your water tested, or if you’d like a water system serviced or installed in your home, contact McBride’s Water Advantage, your water softener and water filtration system dealer in Epsom, New Hampshire. We provide service all over New Hampshire, including towns like Loudon, Canterbury and Epping, NH.
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