Important DIY Home Maintenance Tips for Healthier Tap Water At Home

When it comes to water quality and your health, you should have the last word. Although tap water in the US is generally safe to drink, contamination can occur. Once the water leaves the public treatment facility, there are a number of other factors that can influence the quality of your tap water, but you can take steps to reduce those risks. iWaterPurification.com provides insight into popular brands as well as DIY solutions for improving water quality.

For now, follow these 3 critical DIY tips to improve your home drinking water, and do your research to protect your family from potential lead contamination.

1) Flush Cold Water Taps Before Using.

Before pouring a glass of cold water, or filling your pot with water for cooking, it’s always a good idea to flush the tap for approximately 2 minutes. This is particularly important when the water has been idle for several hours.

While you’re away at work, for example, the water in your pipes has nowhere to go, so it just sits there, in your pipes. The longer the water sits in your lead piping, the greater the risk of lead contamination. 

As in the case of Flint, Michigan, lead can slowly be leached into your water over time until it reaches dangerous levels. Even if the water has been treated by your city water supply, there’s no guarantee that the purified water in your pipes won’t absorb lead after sitting idle for hours in your pipes. 

Older homes are at even greater risk of lead contamination. If you are concerned about possible lead contamination in your water, purchase a water testing kit. A water testing kit will identify what type of contaminant is in your water and the level of contamination, so you can decide on the right filtration system. 

2) Avoid Using Hot Tap Water For Cooking

When you’re in a hurry, boiling a pot of water can feel like it takes forever. You may not feel like waiting 2 - 3 minutes for a cup of hot water when your baby is screaming for formula in the middle of the night.  Experts, however, strongly warn against using hot water from the tap.

Did you know that hot tap water can actually increase lead levels in your water? Hot water dissolves contaminants more quickly than cold, which means any lead leached into your water from corroded pipes will dissolve too.

Boiling water is always the better option when you need hot water for cooking or drinking. It can effectively kill pathogenic bacteria, viruses and protozoa that may be lurking in your tap water. If there is lead in your water, flush your cold water taps first for a couple of minutes, then fill your  pot, kettle or water dispenser with cold water for heating. 

3) Maintain Your Water Heater Regularly

A water heater is a crucial appliance for many homes, especially if you have multiple baths and water devices such as a dishwasher and a washing machine. The hot water produced by your water heater, however, can become contaminated as well with use.

An on-demand water heater, or tankless electric water heater uses a heating element to quickly heat water from your tap so you always have hot water when you need it. Over time, however, undissolved sediments, metal and bacteria residue build up on the heating element and inside the water reservoir. 

By routinely cleaning your water heater, you’ll reduce the risk of further contamination and keep your water heater in optimum condition. Just be sure to follow the user instructions to avoid damaging your water heater.