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      | While a water test is needed to properly diagnose a water problem, you can get a pretty good idea of a problem by looking at the color of the stains on bathroom sinks and tubs. The type of plumbing you have may either diminish or intensify a problem. Plastic plumbing will disguise an acid problem and galvanized plumbing will intensify an iron problem. The information included in this article should only be used as a guide to diagnosing a water problem. BLUE OR GREEN STAINS. This usually indicates either an acid condition or an electrical grounding problem. Decaying vegetation produces carbon dioxide which produces Carbonic Acid which dissolves copper pipes and produces Copper Sulfate. Acid water will also dissolve marble sinks and tubs and may cause blonde hair to turn green. WHITE OR BLACK STAINS. This is usually an indication of hardness. White buildup is calcium and black buildup is magnesium. Hardness may show up as hard water rings in your commode, it will cause soap not to lather and in some cases may cause dry skin. RED OR BROWN STAINS. This is usually an indication of an iron or manganese problem. It will usually show up as stains on your bathroom fixtures or in your clothes. Sometimes there will be a noticeable metallic taste to the water. SMELLS. Smells are sometimes quite difficult to correct. They come from a variety of problems such as a bad pressure tank, water heater anodes, well construction issues, plumbing and venting problems, and sometimes the water itself. TASTE. This is usually the most difficult to treat, because taste is subjective. What tastes good to one person may not taste good to another. Medications may affect one’s taste and pregnant women are usually more sensitive to tastes than men. The most common taste problem usually deals with municipally treated water and Chlorine is the main culprit here.Once you have determined you have a problem, the next step is to contact a water treatment specialist to find out what equipment is needed to fix your problem. Have more than one company come out and do not be rushed into a decision. The BBB is an excellent source of information as well as our other section “Guide to Purchasing Water Treatment Equipment”. | ||
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