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The water in your Arlington, TX home can come from two different sources: the municipal or a private well. The different sources are more at risk of being exposed to various types of contaminants. In most cases, your existing plumbing system will already ensure that the water is filtered before it reaches your home. With that said, depending on the type of system that is installed, you might need to install another water filtration system just to make sure that there’s nothing amiss.

In this article, we will look at the different contaminants that you need to be worried about, as well as the different types of water filtration systems that are available. If you are interested in installing a filter, you should speak with a plumber in Arlington, TX. A plumber can provide an in-home inspection in order to determine the type of water filtration system that is the best fit. They will look at the quality of your water, as well as what some of the major concerns are for the area that you reside in.

Types of Contaminants to Filter Out

Not all tap water may be safe for consumption. It’s possible for different areas to get contaminated with various substances depending on the location that you live in, the type of plumbing that you have installed, as well as whether your municipal has become contaminated with some type of bacteria.

Knowing what types of contaminants are present in your water supply is important, as it will help you determine the type of water filtration system that you should get installed. Some water filtration systems are able to filter more than one contaminant. They can deal with all of your worries all at once. With that said, more complicated water filtration systems will generally be a bit more pricey.

Below, we will look at some of the most common types of contaminants that you should filter out.

Microorganisms

One of the most common contaminants that you need to get out of the water supply is microorganisms. This is perhaps one of the most important contaminants because exposure to them can result in sickness. The three types of microorganisms that you need to be wary of include:

• Bacteria. Your plumbing system can be exposed to so many different types of bacteria because they typically thrive in wet conditions.

• Virus. These microorganisms can also cause you to feel sick. In particular, they can cause gastrointestinal illnesses and issues, like vomiting, diarrhea, and cramps.

• Cysts. Like the microorganisms above, these microorganisms can also cause gastrointestinal issues. Those with poor immune systems are particularly susceptible.

It can be difficult to determine if there are any bacterial or other microorganisms in your water supply until you get sick. You should watch out for reports made by the Arlington, TX city. At the municipal water supply is contaminated with some type of microorganism, there’s a good chance that it has affected your water supply as well. The main problem with this is that it can be very difficult to get rid of a lot of these microorganisms. Bacteria, for example, can hide in biofilm. Even if you clean your drains, the bacteria may still remain.

Organic Compounds

There are some organic compounds that can make their way into your plumbing system as well. They include:

• Organic chemicals like benzene. Organic compounds can make you feel seek. They can cause liver, kidney, cardiovascular, and even respiratory problems. Prolonged exposure to these compounds can lead to immune deficiencies, reproductive difficulties, and even an increased risk of cancer.

• Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC). These compounds are incredibly dangerous, so you should try to steer clear of them as much as possible. They can damage your organs, like your liver and kidney, and can also cause symptoms like dizziness, headaches, nausea, and irritation. Exposure to VOCs can also increase your risk of getting cancer.

When dealing with organic compounds, you want to make sure that you find the source of the problem immediately. There’s a really good chance that the leak is not coming from inside your house or from your plumbing system. Instead, there could be a leak or an issue further upstream with the municipal. If you do not filter these compounds out of your water supply, you can get really sick.

Inorganic Chemicals

Organic compounds are not the only contaminants that you need to be worried about. You might also need to worry about inorganic chemicals as well. Oftentimes, these chemicals get leeched into your water supply because of your plumbing. If that’s the case, then your best solution would be to re-pipe the entire home. If there are inorganic chemicals in your water supply, your plumbing might be too old. Some inorganic chemicals that you need be wary of include:

• Copper. A lot of the older plumbing may contain copper. With time, the copper can leech into the water supply and cause gastrointestinal problems, like stomach irritation. It can also lead to liver and kidney damage as well if you are exposed to it for prolonged periods of time.

• Lead. This is another common inorganic chemical that can be found in old homes. Symptoms of lead poisoning include high blood pressure, kidney problems, and tiredness. This inorganic chemical will have a profound impact on developing brains, so it’s important to limit as much exposure as possible when it comes to children.

• Calcium and magnesium. If you live in a place with hard water, these are the two inorganic chemicals that you need to be most aware of. Excess ingestion of calcium can lead to an increased risk of kidney stones. It can also cause constipation. Excess consumption of magnesium can cause gastrointestinal issues. Both elements can lead to plumbing issues, as they can form scales in pipes.

Once again, it can be difficult to figure out how many inorganic chemicals are in your water. You will need to get the water tested by a professional for more information. Depending on the type of inorganic chemicals that are found, the professionals will recommend different types of water filtration systems.

3 Types of Water Filtration Systems

In order to determine the water filtration systems that are best suited to your home and your needs, you will first need to determine the type of contaminants that you’re concerned about. Oftentimes, most homeowners do not really know what they need to be concerned about. This is why they usually had a plumbing company come and take a look at their setup.

Below, we will look at three different types of water filtration systems. There’s actually a lot more than you can choose from. You will need to talk to a professional in order to get a better idea of what the other types are. It’s also important to note that the type of water filtration system that is suitable for your home can be dependant on the type of plumbing system that you have.

#1. Sediment Filtration

This type of water filtration system is perhaps one of the most common ones around. You’ll find it in a lot of Arlington, TX homes, as it does an excellent job at getting rid of sediments in your water supply. It’s also fairly easy to install and is perhaps one of the cheapest water filtration systems out there. As a result, you should be able to easily find one with a plumbing company.

The only thing that you need to be more sensitive to with this type of water filtration system is knowing when to change the filters. Depending on the number of contaminants that are in your water supply, these filters may need to be changed quite often. If you neglect to change the filters, this water filtration system will not be as effective. As a result, you will be ingesting a lot of contaminants without knowing it.

#2. Activated Carbon Block (ACB) Filtration

This is another fairly popular type of filter. It uses static energy as a binding agent and does a great job at removing chlorine and chemicals from contaminated water. This type of filter is able to get rid of VOCs and inorganic chemicals like lead. It also can do a great job at getting rid of bacteria because the filter has a very tiny pore size.

There are many advantages to installing this type of filter. For one, it is very affordable, and you get a very high performance-to-cost ratio. Second, this type of filter is incredibly easy to install and is very effective. Most plumbing companies will be able to install this type of filtration system within several hours at most. They can also install this type of filtration system with just about any type of plumbing system.

Another benefit of this type of filtration system is that they have a very long filter life, so you won’t have to change the filters as frequently. The technology is very green and it doesn’t rely on any chemical additives at all. It also doesn’t require a power supply and can be used in conjunction with other types of filtration systems.

There is a downside with this filter, and it is that it can’t remove any viruses at all. It also cannot remove dissolved solids. Fortunately, you can pair it with other types of filtration systems with ease.

#3. Reverse Osmosis (RO) Filtration

This type of filtration relies on a semipermeable membrane to separate all of the inorganic contaminants from the water supply. This type of filter is quite popular because it can provide one of the cleanest drinking water for your home. it can remove most of the contaminants that are in the water and can deal with basically all types of contaminants.

Although there are many benefits when it comes to efficiency, some homeowners do feel a bit hesitant when it comes to choosing this filter as it is one of the costlier options that are available. With that said, it can substantially increase the market value of your home if you ever plan to resell it.

Another thing that you need to keep in mind is that this type of membrane is quite vulnerable to chlorine. Because of this reason, you should have an activated carbon filter, like the one mentioned above, in the system as well. The activated carbon filter will be able to remove the chlorine before it reaches this membrane. If you don’t install an activated carbon filter, you can end up damaging this filter quite easily, and you’ll need to replace it quite often. This will add to your overall cost and create an even bigger headache than before.

Find the Best Water Filtration System in Your Home in Arlington, TX

Ensure that you have the best tap water possible by installing a water filtration system for your home in Arlington, TX. Finding the right type of water filtration system can be difficult at times if you do not know what to look for. As a result, you should ask a plumbing company to come and do a thorough analysis and inspection. They can not only test the water quality to ensure that there are no contaminants inside, but they can also look at potential issues that may pop up in the future. It’s always best to be proactive.

Here, at Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of Fort Worth, we offer a wide range of plumbing services and can help you find the type of water filtration system that your home needs. Our team is able to provide an unsurpassed level of care, and we guarantee all of our work, so you can rest assured that you’re in good hands!

For more information on the types of filters that are out there and what may be the best fit for your home, give us a call at 817-478-4119. We will send one of our licensed and insured plumbers out to your property immediately. They can help you find a solution that fits your needs and budget.