What Do Water Filters Do to Keep You Safe?

Clean drinking water is a vital part of life. The presence of bacteria, chemicals, or excess minerals can cause health problems and give your water an unpleasant taste. A high-quality water filter removes impurities and creates better-tasting tap water. 

What do water filters do, and what kind do you need? Filters cleanse the water supply in several ways. The best type of filter for you depends on the type of contaminants present within your home. 

Babe Plumbing offers a variety of options for improved water filtration in Mankato, MN.

Is Tap Water Dangerous?

For most of the United States, it is perfectly safe to drink the water coming from your faucets. Municipal water comes from a local water treatment facility which has measures in place to ensure your water is safe to drink.

Even with proper treatment, there are a few reasons why you may choose to install a water filter: 

• Outdated plumbing may allow sediment from inside the pipes to affect your water supply.
• Chemicals used in a water treatment facility may leave behind a bad taste or smell.
• In agricultural areas, pesticides can contaminate the residential water supply.
• Hard water may cause damage due to excess minerals present in the water.

A filter can remove contaminants from water, improve taste, and provide you with a range of other useful benefits.

Inhibit Hard Water Damage

It is not unusual for homes to have hard water. While it is safe to drink, hard water has undesirable qualities. As minerals such as magnesium, calcium, and lime build up inside your plumbing system, they can cause corrosion inside your hot water heater.  A corroded water heater cannot function efficiently, causing your utility bills to skyrocket.

Hard water affects your washing machine as well. The overabundant minerals prevent laundry detergent from working as it should. As a result, you use more detergent and still don't have thoroughly cleaned clothes. 

When a water filter removes excess minerals from the water supply, you will see the results in lower utility bills and a more efficient washing machine.

Remove Heavy Metals

The presence of heavy metals, such as lead and copper, is dangerous to your health. They can cause high blood pressure or neurological dysfunction with prolonged exposure. 

Reverse osmosis is a filtration method that removes heavy metals. During the process, tap water flows through a membrane that separates the heavy metals from drinkable water. A professional can install a reverse osmosis system under your sink to filter tap water. You can also choose to install a whole-house filter for all incoming water. 

Eliminate Harmful Bacteria

Any incoming water is potentially contaminated with deadly bacteria. Salmonella and e.coli commonly lurk in municipal water sources. 

If bacteria is a main concern, look for a water filter with a UV light. As light passes through the water, it kills dangerous bacteria. 

Improve the Taste of the Water

Drinkable water sometimes has a chemical smell or taste. Various minerals add unwanted flavor to tap water as well. While the water isn’t harmful, it is still unpleasant to drink. A carbon filter removes unpleasant taste and smell, creating crisp, refreshing water. 

Balance pH Levels

Water filters help balance pH levels in the water supply. A pH level that is either too high or too low wreaks havoc on the body. 

Acidic water can cause nausea or vomiting along with other GI distress. Water that is too alkaline can cause kidney stones, which will leave you in severe pain. 

A water filter helps even out the pH level to eliminate a number of health problems by removing small levels of acid and alkali. A balanced pH level promotes balanced health and longevity.

The Cost of Installation

Americans spend over $200 per year purchasing bottled water. Not only is it bad for the environment, it is not fiscally responsible. The installation cost of a filter may be a large upfront cost, but the longevity and benefits of the filter greatly outweigh the cost. After installation, the annual cost of an in-home water filter is around $60. 

A home test kit can detect excess minerals and chemicals in your water supply. It can also determine the pH level and test for bacteria. When you search, "What do water filters do?" you can determine which type of filter will remove the contaminants present in your water supply.

Types of Water Filters

There are a few types of water filters that work in different ways to improve water quality. A professional plumbing service can help you decide which is the best for your home.

Reverse Osmosis

This method removes contaminants other filters leave behind but also removes minerals that offer health benefits. Some homeowners opt for the reverse osmosis method and make up for missing minerals with dietary supplements. 

Activated Carbon

The most common filter option, activated carbon removes over 70 contaminants typically found in tap water. 

Ion Exchange

Ion exchange is the best filter for treating hard water. It reduces scale, which promotes healthy plumbing and helps your washing machine clean clothes with less detergent.

UV Light Filter

UV light is very effective for removing waterborne microorganisms. A UV filter is best used with another type of filter to thoroughly remove all types of contaminants. 

Distillation 

The distillation method predates modern water filters. The process begins by heating water to the boiling point. A condenser collects water vapor and then lowers the temperature, creating clean water. 

While distillation creates clean water, it removes minerals that typically create a pleasant flavor. Distilled water tends to taste bland and flat. 

Quality Water Filters in Mankato

What do water filters do? They remove drinking water contaminants from the incoming water supply. The water in some homes has excess heavy metals, and in others has an unpleasant taste or smell.

Babe Plumbing in Mankato, MN, can install the best water filter for your home. We offer upfront pricing and custom plans for any budget. Call 507-443-3427 to schedule an appointment for water filter installation.

Author Bio:

Jeff Jordan and Anne Jordan

The wizards at Babe Plumbing. With synchronized finesse, they flawlessly orchestrate service excellence, transforming appointment chaos into a harmonious symphony of plumbing solutions, leaving customers impressed and ever-grateful for their unrivaled coordination.