Improving Water Quality Through Filtration

Take a minute to look inside the tank of your toilet, what do you see?  Do you see a collection of rust, sediment, and/or sand? That same collection of debris is accumulating inside your plumbing and water heater.  It is pretty standard to assume that when any mechanical system in your home becomes saturated with gunk build up the quality of the system and the products of the system are compromised.  The goal for homeowners is to avoid situations where this occurs.  One way this happens is with the installation of a whole house water filter.

When a whole house water filter is installed it can act as a barrier that quietly protects your home.  A filter will prevent crud from settling into the systems throughout your home such as the toilet, water softener, and hot water tanks. 

Benefits of Installing a Water Filter System for Your Home

Layered Protection

With the installation of a whole house water filter system you are layering the protection to your appliances.  You are preventing the sediment from reaching your appliances, plumbing, water softeners, toilets, and such.  Many appliances have small plastic and rubber pieces that are used in the use of different household appliances.  Small amounts of debris will damage seals in appliances over time.  When a seal becomes damaged it will leak and as we all know this ends up costing us time and money.  A filter removes the gunk such as sediments, debris, dirt, and gunk in general.  For homeowners there is an increase in appliance longevity and a piece of mind that your equipment will be reliable for longer. 

Eliminate Unexpected Water Surprises

Both city and well water sources can become compromised from unexpected elements in the system.  When this occurs homeowners can receive quite the surprise at the tap. 

City Water Issues

  • Water Main Break
  • Hydrant Flush
  • New Construction and New Water Connections

All of these events will knock iron and sediment buildup into the water supply.  This in turn creates sludge, orange water, and dirt from coming into your home.

Well water quality is affected by outside sources as well.  The quality of the water can change from season to season. 

A whole house water filter helps to remove the iron that exists in some water sources.  When a water filter is installed the iron in the water is filtered out.  This helps to prevent the staining that occurs on laundry, appliances, faucets, and more.

Filter Operation and Maintenance

Filtration systems function without electricity, without salt, and without waste.  There are no controllers to worry about, batteries to change, or clocks to reset.  In fact, whole house water filtration systems are simple to install and can be added to any water treatment system.  In order to properly maintain a filtration system for your home you will be required to change the filter periodically.  The number of times a filter needs to be changed depends on the quality of the filter, use, and the filters rating.

When choosing a filter consider the following: the physical size of the filter, the Micron rating, flow rate, and filter life.  Larger filters naturally have more surface area which often means that they last longer, increase the quality of the water and water pressure. Larger filtration systems are needed in homes with more than two family members.

The experts at Reynolds Water Conditioning have a solution to your homes unique water quality needs including: arsenic, bacteria, chlorine, rotten egg smell, fluoride, hard water, iron, lead, acid, tannins, radon, and more.  More information on our water treatment solutions including water softeners and conditioners, water filtration and purification, reverse osmosis drinking water, and iron & odor removal can be found online at https://reynoldswater.com.

Hard Water Myths Dybunked

There are many myths surrounding hard water.  Although hard water is often not detrimental to your health it can be a considerable nuisance.  Below we will look further into the most common hard water myths and debunk them.

Myth #1: Hard water is responsible for clogging ALL types of plumbing materials

Truth: Hard water contains minerals including calcium and magnesium both of which are known to stick to the interior of galvanized steel pipes which leads to build-up and in turn clogs pipes.  Galvanized steel plumbing is commonly found in homes that were built between 1940 into the late 1970’s. 

Homes built after the late 1970’s or homes that have had their plumbing replaced most often use pipes that are made from copper.  Copper plumbing does not allow for calcium or magnesium build up to form.  Thus, not ALL types of plumbing materials are responsible for hard water clogs.

Myth #2: Hard water minerals are contaminants

Truth: Hard water does contain a number of minerals however, minerals are not contaminants, minerals are nutrients.  Drinking water that is rich in essential minerals like calcium and magnesium is healthy for individuals.  Mineral rich drinking water helps protect the health of individuals and can lead to lower risks of heart disease and stroke. 

Myth #3: Water softeners produced filtered water

Truth: Water softeners do not in fact filter water at all.  Softeners use a process of ion exchange which is used to exchange minerals in the water for sodium.  Water softener units take “tainted” tap water and create water that can be used for drinking, cooking, showering, laundry, dish washing, and more.  The water processed through a water softener is NOT filtered and can often have a salty taste depending on a number of different variants.  To remove the saltiness from water that has gone through a water softener a point of use filter can be installed to faucets.  Most individuals are not bothered by the taste of drinking water that comes from a softening unit however a filtration system does remove the sodium in water if a homeowner is bothered by the taste.

Myth #4: Hard water works well for bathing, cleaning, and laundry

Truth:  Hard water often leaves behind a residue that contains minerals which are not the best for bathing, cleaning, or laundry.  Water that goes through a water softener is known as soft water.  Soft water is ideal for bathing, hard water is known to create dry hair and skin because of mineral deposits that it leaves.  In laundry and household cleaning hard water is known to leave stains and create a filmy residue that is not found in water that has gone through the rejuvenation process that takes place within water softening units.

The experts at Reynolds Water Conditioning have a solution to your homes unique water quality needs including: arsenic, bacteria, chlorine, rotten egg smell, fluoride, hard water, iron, lead, acid, tannins, radon, and more.  More information on our water treatment solutions including water softeners and conditioners, water filtration and purification, reverse osmosis drinking water, and iron & odor removal can be found online at https://reynoldswater.com.

Best Options In Treating Your Homes Water Supply

When it comes to figuring out the what the best option is for treating your homes water supply there is a lot of confusion and conflicting information within the industry.  Homeowners will find a variety of solutions when it comes to water treatment including solutions that treat the whole house and point of use options.  Although some within the industry like to sell water treatment options as interchangeable it is crucial that homeowners understand that each treatment option is unique and deals with removing different contaminants through difference processes.  Each system has distinctive qualities in how they treat the water in your home. 

Whole House Water Treatment Solutions

Water Filters and Water Filtration Systems: Water filter systems often use a carbon filtration solution to treat foul odors and improve the taste of water throughout your home.  Carbon filters are known for treating a variety of elements in water including: chlorine, chemical tastes & odors, organic chemicals, and pesticides.

Municipal city water sources are known for their overpowering use of chlorine.  The installation of a whole house carbon filtration system is often recommended to stabilize drinking water and making bath water less irritating to sensitive skin.  Some private wells may also benefit from the installation of a filtration system especially those in more urban settings where organic chemicals are used in treating crops.  These chemicals can run off into water sources or soak into the Earth affecting the quality of the water coming from the well.

Water Softeners and Water Conditioners:

Water softeners and conditioners are common and well-known amongst homeowners for removing hard water minerals and preventing limescale build up in appliances and plumbing.  Hard minerals such as calcium and magnesium can be found in both city water and private well water.  Soft, scale-free water can be delivered throughout the house with the installation of a whole house water softening unit. 

Reverse Osmosis:

The biggest misconceptions in water treatment center around reverse osmosis systems.  Reverse osmosis systems are commonly mistaken for providing the same treatment to your homes water as water filters and water softeners.   RO systems should not be advertised to treat chlorine, foul odors, hard water, or iron removal.  Reverse osmosis water treatment systems have a semipermeable membrane that removes 95 to 99% of contaminants from your homes water.  However, the membrane contained in RO systems don’t compare to the carbon filtration or water softening units.

In fact, chlorine and hard water can actually taint the RO membrane.  In fact, water should be treated before it is sent through a reverse osmosis system.  When RO systems are used in conjunction with a water softener and filtration system you will prolong the life span of your RO system thus leaving you with the highest quality drinking water.

The experts at Reynolds Water Conditioning have a solution to your homes unique water quality needs including: arsenic, bacteria, chlorine, rotten egg smell, fluoride, hard water, iron, lead, acid, tannins, radon, and more.  More information on our water treatment solutions including water softeners and conditioners, water filtration and purification, reverse osmosis drinking water, and iron & odor removal can be found online at https://reynoldswater.com.

Improving the Water Quality in Your Home

There are a number of reasons that the water in your home could be discolored or taste funny.  Many of the causes of peculiar tasting, smelly, ill colored water comes from where the water is coming from on your property or the city.  There are steps that homeowners can take to improve the quality of drinking water no matter the source of the water.  From city water to well water Reynolds Water Conditioning company has a solution for your water.

City Water

When your water comes from a city source you can almost guarantee that any problems occurring with your water are derived from your property.  Some areas in the state of Michigan however are an exception to this such as Flint.  The municipal water source in Flint is contaminated with lead.  In this situation the problem with the water does not come directly from the property and therefore is difficult for you to treat within your home.

One of the things that you can do if you have issues with your city water is to evaluate the pipes in your home.  If there are changes that you can notice within the water such as color, taste, and changes to the water pressure this almost certainly means that there is an issue in your pipes.  Corrosion is known to cause partial blockages decreasing water pressure and adding a presence of ill tasting and smelling elements to the water supply.  If interior pipes are not found to be the source of your issue, then it is a good idea to check the exterior pipes of your home to check for leaks.  In no case do we recommend tackling issues with your plumbing alone.  It is always best to work with a professional.

Well Water

The process of determining where the issues lie within your well water is much simpler than it often is with city water.  The first step professionals will take is to test your homes water to determine what contaminants are present.  If the water is clear, then further investigation will need to be done with the infrastructure.  However, more often than not the problem will be a chemical imbalance in the water.  If the water balance is correct the first places to check are with the well pump and casing.   Leaks and improper seals can lead to contaminated water and sediment.

Water Filtration

Whether you have city or well water, water filtration systems can be installed to remove pollutants from your homes water and make your water taste better.  Water filtration units can be installed as point of use or point of entry.  The professionals at Reynolds can help you determine what type of system will work the best for the water quality in your home.

Whole-House Water Filters

A whole house water filtration system is in place to filter all of the water that is used within your home.  This includes the water you shower with, the water that flows through your shower, all of the water that exists a faucet is filtered when a whole house water filter is installed.  Water quality professionals install whole-house filters at the main water supply.

Point-of Entry Filters

When your water is on point most of the time but occasionally has an odor, weird color, or taste a point of entry water filter system installed on the kitchens water supply can improve the quality of the water you use for drinking and cooking.

Reverse Osmosis Systems

RO systems work to improve the quality of your water by passing it through multiple systems that work to eliminate bacteria, sediment, and other pollutants within the water.  This leaves the natural minerals in water and oxygen behind leaving great tasting water.  Reverse osmosis water systems require users to replace filters on a regular basis to keep the water quality at peak levels.

The experts at Reynolds Water Conditioning have a solution to your homes unique water quality needs including: arsenic, bacteria, chlorine, rotten egg smell, fluoride, hard water, iron, lead, acid, tannins, radon, and more.  More information on our water treatment solutions including water softeners and conditioners, water filtration and purification, reverse osmosis drinking water, and iron & odor removal can be found online at https://reynoldswater.com.

 

Treating Common Residential Water Problems

There are a number of issues that are common to residential water systems.  Knowing what type of water treatment gets rid of your specific water problem is crucial in getting the highest quality water for your family.  Water softeners, water filters, water purification, and water conditioners are all effective solutions in treating common issues in residential water supplies.  Knowing what plagues your water allows you to have the proper equipment installed to treat it.

Depending on where you live the quality of your homes water can vary a great deal.  It is crucial to have your homes water quality tested before installing any type of water treatment system.  You need to know what type of issue you are dealing with before it can be treated.

Most Common Water Problems

Hard Water

Hard water is not necessarily a hazard to your health however it can be harmful to your home.  There are many common indications that you are dealing with hard water such as: film and stains on dishes and appliances, dull hair, spotted dishes, dry irritated skin, and an increase in the amount of soap and detergent that is needed for cleaning clothes and dishes.

Water softeners are the most common treatment option for hard water.  Water softeners are used to remove the calcium and magnesium ions with sodium ions which creates soft water.  This helps eliminate nasty build up on appliances, plumbing, fixtures, skin, and so on.

Iron and Rust

It is pretty obvious to see when there is a large amount of rust and iron build up in your homes water.  You will begin to see orange streaks staining the sink and spots on clothing.  High iron content in your homes water is annoying to homeowners and also damages appliances including washers, water heaters, dishwashers, and bathtubs.

The most common solution for treating high levels of iron in your home water is to have a whole house water filtration system installed.   Treating the high iron content with a filter helps to protect against iron build up in your homes plumbing, prevents unsightly build up, removes the smell and taste of iron, keeps appliances running more efficiently, and offers you better tasting, higher quality water.

Foul Taste in Drinking Water

A number of water problems can cause smelly, bad-tasting water.  Water with high levels of chlorine, hydrogen sulfide, dissolved solids, arsenic, or iron can all add to the taste of your homes water and not in a good way.

There are a number of problems that can result in smelly and/or foul-tasting water.  It is important to have the water tested so that you know exactly what problem you are dealing with when treating your homes water.

The solution for foul tasting, bad smelling water is to have a water filtration and conditioning system installed.  These systems address the smell and taste of chlorine through the use of active carbon filters.  Oxidation tends to destroy oily tastes and gas smells and more.

The experts at Reynolds Water Conditioning have a solution to your homes unique water quality needs including: arsenic, bacteria, chlorine, rotten egg smell, fluoride, hard water, iron, lead, acid, tannins, radon, and more.  More information on our water treatment solutions including water softeners and conditioners, water filtration and purification, reverse osmosis drinking water, and iron & odor removal can be found online at https://reynoldswater.com.

 

Filters, Purifiers, and Softeners – What’s the Difference?

Water treatment terms are often switched between one another.  Many people, mistakenly, believe that the process between filtration, purification, conditioning, and softening are all one in the same.  With all of the confusion that surrounds the process of bringing quality water to your home and family it is important to have a basic understanding of the difference between each process.

Most homeowners believe, although it is incorrect, that when they are looking for cleaner drinking water, free of lead and chlorine that the installation of a water softener will meet this goal.  Of course, as stated previously, this is not the case at all.  Water softeners are installed in homes as a way of removing minerals in the water.  The minerals that are removed are those that cause your homes water to feel “hard” and create buildup in your plumbing.  To bring cleaner water, that is free of contaminants a water purification system would better suit your goal.

What Are We Trying to Eliminate in Our Water Anyhow?

Before we can truly understand the processes involved with taking the impurities out of our water it is important we understand what we are removing and why. Pure water is simply hydrogen and oxygen, H20; however, water doesn’t occur in this form naturally.  It picks up minerals, impurities, and a number of other chemical compounds as it makes its way to your faucet.

Mineral sediments in our water systems can be both good and bad.  Things like calcium and magnesium are needed whereas like chlorine, pesticides, herbicides, waste, bacteria, and viruses in your homes water supply can be quite harmful.  Impurities in the water are removed using two different kinds of water treatment systems: filters and purifiers.

Along with creating healthy water there are other reasons that people would want to treat the water in their home such as a reduction of in scale build-up which increases the lifespan of your appliances.   Water softeners are the system, once installed prevent minerals from passing through the water supply in your home into your home’s pipes and appliances.

Water Filters

Water filtration systems eliminate and work to decrease chlorine, lead, mercury, magnesium, copper, chromium, nickel, iron, hydrogen sulfide, and more.

Water Purifiers

Water purification systems work to remove bacteria and viruses.  Purification does not mean that the water is free of chemical contaminants that are removed by filters.

Water Softeners

Water softening systems work to replace the “hard” elements in the water with salt or potassium that will not create build-up.

A water treatment option should be chosen only after an analysis of water is done.  Many homeowners find that a combination of treatment systems work best to bring them the quality water they are looking for.

The experts at Reynolds Water Conditioning have a solution to your homes unique water quality needs including: arsenic, bacteria, chlorine, rotten egg smell, fluoride, hard water, iron, lead, acid, tannins, radon, and more.  More information on our water treatment solutions including water softeners and conditioners, water filtration and purification, reverse osmosis drinking water, and iron & odor removal can be found online at https://reynoldswater.com.

Complete Guide to Iron Filters

Due to recent news reports of tainted water passing into the drinking system of major cities around the world, there has been a renewed interest in the quality of water that people drink. After all, not all water is the same. There has also been an increase in demand for iron water filters and water treatment systems that help supplement the naturally-occurring minerals in most of the water we drink. Communities that live far from the city typically rely on well water for their needs. While this water is generally safe, it needs to be treated with iron filters or water treatment systems to ensure it has the right properties at the proper concentrations.

Why iron filters?

Naturally-occurring water may contain iron, hydrogen sulfide, and manganese among others. While these metals do occur in the human body in minuet quantities, they can be more concentrated in water thus becoming contaminants. High dosages of undissolved ferric or ferrous iron can also be present. This is responsible for the characteristic “orange-brown” water that sometimes comes out of the faucet the first time its turned on. If your water has iron in concentrations of 3 to 4 parts-per-million, then an iron filtration system is necessary. In a nutshell, how can you tell you need to purchase and install an iron filter?

  • When the water coming out of your faucet is orange-brown
  • When the water has a distinctive “metallic” taste
  • When the water pressure seems low
  • When the water-based beverages made from that water taste different
  • When the clothes washed in that water transform into a dull color

How does an iron filter work?

The best iron filters will begin the process by pre-treating the water via oxidation. This is achieved using an oxidant such as ozone, chlorine or hydrogen peroxide. This pre-treatment serves to enlarge the iron particles making them easier to remove.

Next comes the actual filtration process. This is the mechanism whereby the enlarged iron particles are removed. The best iron filters in the market are those that are able to do the best job when it comes to pretreatment.

Filtration is not a complicated science. Once the iron particles are enlarged, they are unable to pass through the chemical filter which only allows clean water. This process also continues into backwashing where the iron particles are completely forced out and eliminated by the filter.

Iron filtration achieves the following:

  • It completely removes ferric iron from the water. The result is clean, sparkling water which looks and tastes great
  • It eliminates the metallic taste in making water taste awesome
  • It eliminates any odor which is common in unfiltered water

At Reynolds Water Conditioning Company, we are here to help make sure our clients don’t buy water treatment systems that they don’t need.  We are here to make sure you find a water softening system that gives you the results you are looking for, whether it is to remove iron or odor from you water; we have a solution that will help!  For more information contact our experts at 800.572.9575 or at our website https://reynoldswater.com.

 

Whole House Vs Point of Use Water Filtration

Everyone wants water that tastes good in their home, but it can be tricky to determine what type of water filtration system to install to make it happen.  After all, having great tasting water is not going to mean anything to you if the water in the rest of your house is cloudy and stains your clothing or other items that you are trying to keep clean.

Point of use home water filter systems will help you achieve fresh and crisp tasting water and these systems are installed underneath a sink or countertop.  While point of use home water filter systems will deliver purified water for drinking and cooking, the amount of water that is purified each day might be less than you actually need.

Whole house water filtration systems will treat all the water that enters your home, which means that you will be using treated water for bathing, washing dishes, cleaning, and doing your laundry.  These whole house water filtration systems can deliver thousands of gallons of water each day and the system would need to be placed where your water first enters your home.  This could be in your garage or your basement, and since these systems are a little larger, you will need to make room for them.  You would never need to worry about running out of clean water when you use a whole house water filtration system, but you should know that the quality of the water will not be as pure for drinking as it would be if you installed point of use home water filter systems in the rooms where you drink the water.

While either one of these options will give you better water, you may want to consider installing both inside your home.  The whole house water filtration system will treat the water for your entire home, while additional treatment will be done to your water with the point of use home water filter system.  This additional system will ensure that you have the best purified water for drinking and cooking purposes.

You may decide to install one or more of these systems due to personal preference of how water should taste, or you may choose to have them installed out of necessity.  Red iron stains are one of the first clues that you need to seriously consider a whole house water filtration system, while an off taste might simply suggest a point of use home water filter system.  If you are not sure if you need to install a water filtration system inside your home, you may want to have your water tested and talk to a professional of how these systems can make your water better.

At Reynolds Water Conditioning Company, we are here to help make sure our clients don’t buy water treatment systems that they don’t need.  We are here to make sure you find a water softening system that gives you the results you are looking for, whether it is to remove iron or odor from you water; we have a solution that will help!  For more information contact our experts at 800.572.9575 or at our website https://reynoldswater.com.

What Water Treatment Option Is Best For The Water In My Home

Regardless of whether your homes water is supplied through public or private water treatment facilities, the purpose of improving the quality of drinking water is to make it safe to drink and use, palatable, and sufficient enough to serve your entire home’s needs. Point-of-use (POU) technologies such as water softeners and reverse osmosis devices are commonly used to treat contaminants before the water is deemed safe to drink. A POU device can either be attached to the main faucet, installed under the sink and can also be set on the counter for the purposes of reducing contaminants in drinking water or to enhance the aesthetic quality of water supplied by a local public drinking water system.

A Point of Entry (POE) device, on the other hand, is a unit such as the ion filter that is installed to treat the water entering a house also to reduce contaminants in the water distributed throughout home intended for showering, washing dishes, clothes, flushing toilets, etc. You ‘may’ not need a water treatment unit in your home if you live in an area where you receive your water from public water suppliers, that is if your PWS meets all the requirements of the Safe Drinking Water Act. You still want to get your water tested first to determine if there are any contaminants present.

Individuals who have a private well also need to have their water tested for contaminants and use a home water treatment unit like an ion filter or water softener to lower any health-related contaminants and ensure that any water entering the house is safe for use. The reverse osmosis (RO) is a popular POU filtration unit with many homeowners because it removes impurities such as fluoride, lead, chlorine, pesticides nitrates, and sulfates. The ion filter system unit, on the other hand, provides both water softening and deionization water treatment option that removes every calcium or magnesium ion in hard water to produce soft contaminant-free water.

Reverse osmosis is, arguably, one of the most effective and efficient methods of treating and softening drinking and cooking water. It has an osmotic membrane chamber filled with tiny pores that only allows water molecules to pass through while contaminants such as calcium and magnesium are left behind as softened water is produced. To determine if any of the above water treatment options are suitable for your home ask for a professional water analysis.

At Reynolds Water Conditioning Company, we are here to help make sure our clients don’t buy water treatment systems that they don’t need.  We are here to make sure you find a water softening system that gives you the results you are looking for, whether it is to remove iron or odor from you water; we have a solution that will help!  For more information contact our experts at 800.572.9575 or at our website https://reynoldswater.com.

Increasing Your Homes Water Quality by Installing a Water Filtration System

Health care experts advise people to drink at least 8 full 8 oz. glasses of plain water every day to stay hydrated. This is important because the human body is two-thirds water and without an adequate supply of fresh, clean drinking water your body will be at risk. Most homes in the United States are either hooked up to a municipal water source or localized well water.

 

Unfortunately, just because the water source is supposed to be safe and healthy to drink, there have been issues in the past whereas one or more of the water sources like a water well was contaminated. If this is a fear you have then there is something that you can do to prevent your family from drinking contaminated water without any knowledge that it is happening.

 

One solution would be to have a full house water filtration system or one that attaches to the faucet and filters the water before it comes out. Most water filtration systems work by having the water flow through some type of media material that is designed to trap even the tiniest of contaminants present in the water. There are several different types of water filtration systems and each one works in a unique way to clean the water and prevent you from being contaminated.

 

5 Different Types of Water Filtration Systems

Activated Carbon Filter Systems

Activated carbon filters or carbon filters for short work trapping suspended particles in the water and also helps to absorb chlorine and other chemicals that after often responsible for causing the smelly odor in your water that comes out of the faucet. Most of the systems that use these type of filters make it possible for them to be replaced periodically.

Reverse Osmosis Filter System

This filter system works by forcing the water under pressure through a membrane that will only allow water to pass through it and nothing else. This is also why RO is used to convert seawater (saltwater) into drinkable freshwater. The RO filter is usually part of a total water filtration system.

Alkaline/Water Ionizer

One of the more popular health kicks these days is alkaline water. One of the reasons is because is being reported that many of the most common illnesses thrive in acidic conditions.  By drinking only alkaline water, you reduce the acidity level within your body you could help to possibly prevent one or more of them.

UV Filters

Ultraviolet filters are used specifically for killing dangerous bacteria when present in a water supply. By exposing the water to ultraviolet radiation any bacteria will be killed without having to use dangerous chemicals or heating up the water. This type of filter is also typically found as part of a multiple stage filtration system.

Infrared Filters

This type of filtration system combined heat and electricity to filter and soften the water by negatively charging the water to change its molecular structure. These type of filters work a lot like Alkaline and Water Ionizers.

At Reynolds Water Conditioning Company, we are here to help make sure our clients don’t buy water treatment systems that they don’t need.  We are here to make sure you find a water softening system that gives you the results you are looking for, whether it is to remove iron or odor from you water; we have a solution that will help!  For more information contact our experts at 800.572.9575 or at our website https://reynoldswater.com.