29/01/2019

Know the Difference Between Water Treatment and Water Filtration

Let’s face it- the drinking water that comes out of your tap could taste better. Several factors, including rusty pipes, small mineral deposits, and other contaminants, can cause your city’s water supply to taste less than satisfactory. In fact, many people are so turned off by the taste of their tap water that they spend large amounts of money on bottled water. This is not only inconvenient and costly, but the waste produced by non-biodegradable plastic water bottles can do a lot of damage to our environment. If you’ve made the choice to reduce your carbon footprint by installing a residential water filtration system, good for you! You’ll be drinking clear, delicious water in no time. However, you may still have some questions about water treatment before making the right purchase for you.

One of the most commonly-asked questions about home water filtration systems is what the difference is between water treatment and water filtration. Since these two terms are often used interchangeably, many people assume they are the same thing. However, water filtration and water treatment are two very different processes that work to accomplish different goals in improving the clarity and taste of drinking water, and it’s important that you know the difference prior to purchasing your home filtration or treatment system. We’re here to explain how both processes work and help you decide which type of system best fits your situation.

Water Filtration

Water filtration works by removing impurities such as sand and living organisms out of your drinking water in order to improve its taste. This is accomplished by installing a home water filtration system, which can either be purchased online, at hardware and home improvement stores, or through your plumber. Water filtration systems can be permanently installed, or you may opt for a portable, removable system. This type of filtration system is preferred if you rent rather than own, or if you think you will be moving in the near future. Additionally, portable water filtration systems are typically less expensive than their permanent counterparts.

If you choose water filtration over water treatment, keep in mind that your filtration system will only be removing impurities like water organisms and sediment; however, it will not filter out any trace amounts of chemicals or potential viruses. If it is important to you to eliminate all contaminants from your water, your best bet is a water treatment system. If your primary focus is on removing virtually all trace minerals for an improved taste, a water filtration system will more than suit your needs.

Water Treatment

Also known as water purification, water treatment is the process of removing potentially harmful impurities from drinking water. This includes chemicals, viruses, bacteria, and other biological contaminants. Unlike water filtration, water treatment systems can get rid of all unseen materials by chemically treating the water with iodine or chlorine. This purifies and sterilizes the water; however, it does nothing for eliminating particles and sediment. If the removal of these contaminants is important to you, it may be a good decision to choose a water filtration system instead. However, if you are more concerned about the viruses, bacteria, and other biological contaminants in your water, a treatment system will be the best option for you.

Which is Best?

Whether you choose to install a water filtration system or water treatment system in your home ultimately comes down to what you are trying to eliminate from your drinking water. If you are simply trying to get water that tastes better when you drink it, a water filtration system will work well for you. However, if you live in an area with contaminated or polluted drinking water and you are concerned about what may be in the water you and your family drink, it may be best to opt for a water treatment system. Ideally, you will be able to find an affordable system that performs both filtration and purification duties so that you can be sure each sip of water you drink is clean, pure, and free from mineral deposits, chemicals, and biological contaminants. These double-duty systems are available on the market and can come in quite handy for people wanting the very best in fresh, clean drinking water.

Things to Consider

When shopping for a water treatment or filtration system, there are several important things that you should keep in mind. First of all, make sure to carefully read the product description and ask questions about the system’s capabilities, advantages, and drawbacks. Secondly, stick to your budget and only shop for water treatment or filtration systems that are priced comfortably for you. Third, weigh the pros and cons of a permanent water treatment or filtration system versus a portable, detachable system, so you are able to get exactly what you want without any negative surprises or regrets.

Asking questions about various models of filtration and treatment systems is an excellent way to make an informed decision. Your local plumber is a great resource for helping you decide whether to opt for a filtration system, a treatment system, or a hybrid system that handles both purification and filtration for maximum effectiveness. Additionally, your plumber can help you install a permanent filtration or treatment system if you require extra assistance. This can take the guesswork and hassle out of your installation process and give you peace of mind that your unit was installed properly the first time.

Contact a Water Treatment and Water Filtration Expert

By choosing to install a water filtration or treatment system in your home, you are making a commitment to our environment. Your purchase will help preserve our fragile ecosystems and significantly reduce your carbon footprint. Additionally, you will be able to enjoy considerable savings by not having to purchase bottled water every time you shop. You can put this saved money toward other home improvement projects, a fun vacation, or a big-ticket purchase that you’ve been thinking of making. Water filtration and treatment systems are the environmentally-responsible way to ensure that the water you drink is clean, clear, pure, and delicious. Cheers!

30/12/2018

How Do Water Filtration Systems Work?

Thinking about buying a water filtration system for your home? If so, you may be wondering how they actually work. After all, how can a little water filter in your home effectively filter out virtually all of the pollutants, chemicals, and other contaminants that your city’s water treatment plant has left behind? Here’s an in-depth look at water filtration systems for your home, how they work, and how you and your family can benefit from having clean, pure, filtered water on tap to enjoy anytime you want.

Why Install a Water Filtration System?

As you probably know, the water we drink comes from a municipal water treatment facility. Depending on the area in which you live, the water that comes out of your tap, though safe to drink, may feature a sour or salty taste or unpleasant metallic smell. This can result in you and your family not wanting to drink much water, which can lead to a variety of health problems. After all, our bodies are over 70 percent water, and it is vital to our well-being to drink plenty of water so we can remain properly hydrated throughout the day. When we drink other beverages, such as sugary soda or juice, instead of water, we are compromising our good health and potentially setting ourselves up for serious complications down the road. Medical conditions including kidney failure, edema, and seizures can be associated with dehydration. Additionally, the positive benefits of drinking enough water, such as healthy weight management, improved complexion, and proper flushing of toxins from the body, become much harder to achieve when you neglect to drink water throughout your day.

If you’re not drinking enough tap water because you can’t bear the taste of it, we’ve got some good news for you: purchasing and installing your own water filtration system in your home is much easier and more affordable than you have ever imagined! Most domestic filters work by providing multiple levels of water purification so that your drinking water is as clear, clean, and free of contaminants as possible. This ensures a great-tasting glass of water every time!

Water Filtration Basics

There are five main types of filters often working in conjunction with one another in your home water filtration system. These include mechanical filters, absorption filters, sequestration filters, ion exchange filters, and reverse osmosis filters. Together, they filter out just about every contaminant in your water, leaving only fresh, clean drinking water behind. Let’s take a look at what each filter does to better understand how your water filtration system works to effectively remove chemicals and other particles from your drinking water.

Mechanical Filters

Your water filtration system comes equipped with a mechanical filter, which is designed to physically remove particles, dirt, or sediment in your drinking water. The mechanical filter can consist of anything from a basic mesh strainer to a porous ceramic filter that can remove even the tiniest of organisms. A mechanical filter’s micron rating tells you how effective it is in terms of removing particles. For example, a micron rating of 5 will remove most particles that are visible to the naked eye, while a micron rating of 0.5 will remove pathogens such as giardia and cryptosporidium. Basically, the lower the number in a mechanical filter’s micron rating, the more it is able to remove from your drinking water.

Absorption Filters

An absorption water filter uses carbon to capture contaminants commonly found in water. Carbon is extremely effective at absorbing particles thanks to its large internal surface full of chemical-trapping crevices. Most domestic water filters feature GAC, or granular activated carbon, which uses absorption to effectively reduce impurities that cause water to have an unpleasant taste. Some high-end filtration systems use a carbon block filter element, which is more effective than GAC and carry a very low micron rating.

Sequestration Filters

In order to effectively remove virtually all impurities from your drinking water supply, sequestration filters are a common part of most domestic water filtration systems. A sequestration filter works by isolating substances such as calcium and magnesium, which can cause limescale and corrosion in your water pipes. This is done using food grade polyphosphate, which is not harmful and will not soften your water. Basically, the polyphosphate will work to keep the minerals within the solution, preventing them from forming as scale on any surfaces they come into contact with as water goes through the pipes.

Ion Exchange Filters

The ion exchange process softens hard water by swapping out magnesium and calcium ions for hydrogen-based ions. This removes the hard minerals that can cause limescale. Ion exchange filters typically use a type of resin which comes in the form of tiny beads. The same resin beads are commonly used in water softeners, and need to be periodically recharged to ensure maximum effectiveness.

Reverse Osmosis Filters

Reverse osmosis, or RO, removes dissolved inorganic solids like magnesium and calcium ions by forcing water through a semipermeable membrane under pressure. This causes the water to pass through while contaminants are trapped in the membrane. Reverse osmosis is one of the most highly effective ways of removing impurities from drinking water, which makes a reverse osmosis filter a highly desirable feature for your home water filtration system. Since RO filters use water pressure to filter water through the membrane, they do not require electricity, which can add up to a significant savings on your energy bill! On the downside, however, these filters produce a certain amount of waste water. Reverse osmosis is used for any application that requires water to be 99.9 percent pure- for example, RO is increasingly being used to treat water used to make coffee. Though the inclusion of a reverse osmosis filter can drive up the price of your home water filtration system, the quality of your drinking water may be well worth the higher price tag.

Contact a Water Filtration Expert Today

As soon as you decide to purchase and install your home water filtration system, be sure to ask your plumber or service technician any questions you may have about your particular brand of water filter, how efficient it is at removing contaminants, particles, and impurities from your water, and tips for proper filter maintenance to ensure a long life. Once you’ve tried a glass of fresh, pure, filtered water, you’ll never want to go back to drinking regular tap water again!

21/11/2018

Why You Should Install a Water Filtration System

If you’re currently in the market for a water filtration system for your home, you may be curious about how they actually work. After all, how can a water filter in your home effectively filter out nearly all of the pollutants, chemicals, and other contaminants that your city’s water treatment plant has left behind? We’re here with an in-depth look at water filtration systems, how they work, and how your home and family can benefit from having pure, clean, filtered water on tap to enjoy all day long.

Why Install a Water Filtration System?

As you may already know, our drinking water comes from a municipal water treatment facility. Depending on the region in which you live, the water that comes out of your tap, though safe to drink, may feature a sour or salty taste or unpleasant metallic smell. This can result in you and your family not wanting to drink much water, which can lead to a variety of health problems. After all, our bodies are over 70 percent water, and it is vital to our well-being to drink plenty of water so we can remain properly hydrated throughout the day. When we choose other beverages, such as sugary soda or juice, over water, we are compromising our good health and potentially setting ourselves up for serious complications down the road. Medical conditions such as kidney failure, edema, and seizures can be associated with dehydration. Additionally, the positive benefits of drinking enough water, such as healthy weight management, improved complexion, and proper flushing of toxins from the body, become much harder to achieve when you neglect to drink water throughout your day.

If you’re not drinking enough water because you simply cannot stand how it tastes, we’ve got some good news for you: purchasing and installing your own water filtration system in your home is much easier and more affordable than you have ever imagined! Most domestic filters work by providing multiple levels of water filtration so that your drinking water is as clear, clean, and pure as possible. This ensures a great-tasting glass of water every time!

Water Filtration Basics

There are five main types of filters often working in conjunction with one another in your home water filtration system. These include mechanical filters, absorption filters, sequestration filters, ion exchange filters, and reverse osmosis filters. Together, they filter out just about every contaminant in your water, leaving only fresh, clean drinking water behind. Let’s take a look at what each filter does to better understand how your water filtration system works to effectively remove chemicals and other particles from your drinking water.

Mechanical Filters

Your water filtration system comes equipped with a mechanical filter, which is designed to physically remove particles, dirt, or sediment in your drinking water. The mechanical filter can consist of anything from a basic mesh strainer to a porous ceramic filter that can remove even the tiniest of organisms. A mechanical filter’s micron rating tells you how effective it is in terms of removing particles. For example, a micron rating of 5 will remove most particles that are visible to the naked eye, while a micron rating of 0.5 will remove pathogens such as giardia and cryptosporidium. Basically, the lower the number in a mechanical filter’s micron rating, the more it is able to remove from your drinking water.

Absorption Filters

An absorption water filter uses carbon to capture contaminants commonly found in water. Carbon is extremely effective at absorbing particles thanks to its large internal surface full of chemical-trapping crevices. Most domestic water filters feature GAC, or granular activated carbon, which uses absorption to effectively reduce impurities that cause water to have an unpleasant taste. Some high-end filtration systems use a carbon block filter element, which is more effective than GAC and carry a very low micron rating.

Sequestration Filters

In order to effectively remove virtually all impurities from your drinking water supply, sequestration filters are a common part of most domestic water filtration systems. A sequestration filter works by isolating substances such as calcium and magnesium, which can cause limescale and corrosion in your water pipes. This is done using food grade polyphosphate, which is not harmful and will not soften your water. Basically, the polyphosphate will work to keep the minerals within the solution, preventing them from forming as scale on any surfaces they come into contact with as water goes through the pipes.

Ion Exchange Filters

The ion exchange process softens hard water by swapping out magnesium and calcium ions for hydrogen-based ions. This removes the hard minerals that can cause limescale. Ion exchange filters typically use a type of resin which comes in the form of tiny beads. The same resin beads are commonly used in water softeners, and need to be periodically recharged to ensure maximum effectiveness.

Reverse Osmosis Filters

Reverse osmosis, or RO, removes dissolved inorganic solids like magnesium and calcium ions by forcing water through a semipermeable membrane under pressure. This causes the water to pass through while contaminants are trapped in the membrane. Reverse osmosis is one of the most highly effective ways of removing impurities from drinking water, which makes a reverse osmosis filter a highly desirable feature for your home water filtration system. Since RO filters use water pressure to filter water through the membrane, they do not require electricity, which can add up to a significant savings on your energy bill! On the downside, however, these filters produce a certain amount of waste water. Reverse osmosis is used for any application that requires water to be 99.9 percent pure- for example, RO is increasingly being used to treat water used to make coffee. Though the inclusion of a reverse osmosis filter can drive up the price of your home water filtration system, the quality of your drinking water may be well worth the higher price tag.

Contact a Water Filtration Expert Located in Longmont Today!

When you are ready to purchase and install your home water filtration system, be sure to ask your plumber or service technician any questions you may have about your particular brand of water filter, its effectiveness at removing contaminants, particles, and impurities from your water, and how you can properly care for your filter to ensure a long life. Once you’ve tried a glass of fresh, pure, filtered water, you’ll never want to drink regular tap water again!

30/09/2018

How to Fix That Funny Taste in Your Water

It’s 1 AM and you wake up with an insatiable thirst. Padding downstairs to the kitchen, you sleepily turn on your kitchen sink and place a glass under the tap, only to take a sip and- UGH! What is that horrible taste in your tap water?

If you’ve ever experienced the above scenario, rest assured that you’re not the only one- many people can’t stand the funny metallic aftertaste of water when it comes straight from the kitchen or bathroom sink faucet. Some cities’ tap water tastes better than others, while some cities’ water is almost completely impossible to drink, due to its rusty, metal taste. Because of this, a number of people purchase bottled water every time they shop for groceries, in order to have water that actually tastes refreshing and pure. Believe it or not, approximately 12.8 billion gallons of bottled water were bought in the United States in 2016. That’s almost twice as many gallons of water than there are people on Earth! Furthermore, research indicates that consumers tend to think of bottled water as a healthier, more convenient option than tap water, due in part to its superior taste. However, the considerable costliness and undeniably negative environmental effects of discarded plastic water bottles make for a less than ideal solution to the problem of terrible-tasting tap water.

If you think your only option is to buy pricey, non-eco-friendly bottled water, we’ve got news for you: there is a much easier, more environmentally sound solution that can actually save you money in the long run. The experts at Flatirons Plumbing are here to tell you how to get rid of the “ick” factor that is accompanying your tap water once and for all.

What Causes Water to Taste Bad?

Before you try to get the funny aftertaste out of your tap water, it’s important to know what is causing it to taste that way in the first place. A tangy or metallic taste can be the result of low pH levels or an excess of trace minerals in your water, possibly due to old, rusty water pipes in your city or home. While these small amounts of minerals aren’t hazardous to your health, they can give your drinking water an unpleasant metal aftertaste when you drink it. Yuck! Not only will this sour-tasting water make you less inclined to drink it (and more likely to reach for a less healthy but better-tasting option, like soda), but it may also affect the taste of meals you prepare at home using water as an ingredient.

Sometimes tap water tastes more salty than metallic. Trace minerals such as manganese, iron, zinc, or copper that are present in your water supply are the likely culprits of water that tastes like it came straight from the ocean. Additionally, rusty pipes in your city can produce a salty aftertaste that makes for a less-than-refreshing glass of water. If you live in an older house with plumbing from over 50 years ago, it is possible that your home’s pipes are the ones that have rusted with age and are causing your water to taste funky. Regardless of the cause, nobody wants to drink tap water that tastes like someone poured a shaker’s worth of salt into it! A salty aftertaste in your drinking water is enough to turn anybody off- and that’s not good.

What Can Be Done?

Short of spending excessive amounts of money purchasing bottled water each month, there is nothing you can do about the taste of your tap water, right? Wrong! Not only is bottled water an unnecessary extra expense for your household, but the waste produced by the plastic bottles that are piling up at landfills all over the world is harmful to our environment. An estimated 60 million empty water bottles per day are thrown away in the United States- that has added up to two million tons of discarded bottles at landfills across the country. Believe it or not, only one of every six bottles of water that are purchased in America are recycled. The rest are tossed into the garbage. These bottles are non-biodegradable, but rather photodegrade, which means that it takes 1,000 years for a single water bottle to completely decompose- and when they do, they’re leaving all sorts of pollutants behind to contaminate our soil and water. When faced with the facts, it’s easy to see that bottled water is simply not a viable long-term solution to funny-tasting tap water.

A much simpler, more environmentally-conscious solution is to invest in a water filtration system for your home. A water filtration system acts as a purifier for your tap water, filtering out even the tiniest traces of minerals so that your water tastes fresh, clean, and delicious straight from the faucet! You will never have to rely on water bottles again once you make the decision to purchase a water filtration system for your home. If you think a water filtration system is too costly for you, think again! In the long run, purchasing and installing a filtration system is by far the most affordable option to keep your tap water tasting fresh, pure, and delicious each time you drink it. With a variety of options available, homeowners can choose the right water filtration system for their situation, at the right price!

By choosing to install a water filtration system, you can be sure that the water you drink will be as pure, clear, and refreshing as if it came out of an overpriced plastic bottle. In fact, some research indicates that tap water is actually better for you than bottled water, as it has to adhere to stricter safety inspections. This means that once you have fixed the funny taste, you can rest assured that you are putting only the best things into your body every time you enjoy a refreshing glass of water. Additionally, you can feel good knowing you’re doing your part to help preserve our environment with your eco-friendly solution to your drinking water problem. Mother Nature will thank you for it!

Contact Flatirons Plumbing for a Water Filtration

As if doing the healthiest thing for your body and helping to save the planet wasn’t enough of an incentive to look into a water filtration system for your home, you can expect a substantial cash savings over time when you no longer have to purchase bottled water on every trip to the grocery store. Water filtration systems are an affordable, eco-friendly solution for people who want to enjoy fresh-tasting water at home without excess cost or waste. Contact Flatirons Plumbing today, and drink up!

20/02/2018

How to Prevent Your Basement From Flooding

Backed up drains can be a traumatic emotional experience and it’s vital to understand how prevent basement flooding. Waste water filling up a basement causes damage to carpets, walls, furnace, furniture, and personal memorabilia. The cost of restoring your home to pre backup standards can be costly. There is no price tag that can be attached to family photos, and collections that are damaged by waste water.

Most often a backed up sewer line develops over time. A restricted sewer line slows the waste water from flowing through. Restrictions can be caused by old drain lines that have failed, roots getting into broken drains, and ground settling that causes a drain line to sink and create a low spots. It is important as to what is being flushed down the drain, like rags, excessive toilet paper, feminine hygiene products, paints, construction material, or old motor oil. Always remember, that your drain line has been backing up long before it starts to backup in your toilets and showers. These are called mini backups or burps.

Sometimes a professional drain cleaning is needed. The restricted drain location can be 15-30′ away from your home, possibly in your yard or out into the street. The clog grows over time. The waste water fills the pipe from the restricted spot up to your toilet drain, this creates water weight on the clog. When this happens, your basement toilet will make gurgling noises and flush poorly, another symptom may be minor water stains around your floor drain with remnants of white Toilet paper and waste around the floor drain, another symptom may be that the gurgling noises occur when your washing machine is draining high volume waste water into the drain. The water weight pushes through the restriction and it starts to drain again. This cycle happens repeatedly in what is called a burp or mini backup under the floor until the restricted spot becomes strong enough to hold the water, fill the drain pipe, and overflow the toilet, floor drain and tub in the basement.

At Flatirons Plumbing, our goal is to prevent future backups in your home. The options can range from preventative maintenance up to traditional practices of repairing and replacing sewer systems. Not to mention,  utilizing new technology to reduce yard and landscape damage. The options become your choice based on what’s best for your family and budget. We are the residential service professionals. Our technician will arrive to evaluate the situation, provide upfront pricing and complete the work that day.

17/11/2017

WE PROVIDE SEWER INSPECTION SERVICES

FLATIRONS PLUMBING PROVIDES LOCAL SEWER INSPECTION SERVICES

Thorough indoor and outdoor house inspection is a critical piece of due diligence that you should do as a home buyer. However, very few home buyers ask for a sewer inspection before buying their dream home. In fact, most buyers do not think about sewer inspections since it is buried in the ground and it requires special equipment to inspect and with all the excitement surrounding buying a house. Most of the focus is usually on getting a home inspection, and sewer lines are almost an after-thought if buyers think about them at all. Unfortunately, the sewer inspections remain one of the most important inspections a buyer of older homes should conduct. Flatirons Plumbing is proud to announce that we now offer professional sewer inspection services using the most advanced tools available today.

WHEN SHOULD I SCHEDULE A SEWER INSPECTION?

The time to inspect if a sewer is faulty or needs replacement is before purchasing a home, not after payment. Prudent home buyers will always choose to invest in professional sewer line inspection, regardless of the age of the house. We recommend that you do a thorough sewer inspection for homes older than 20 years. This is because tree roots can still clog up a 20-year-old sewer line. As tree roots go in search for water, they often times grow into sewer lines and expand causing a blockade and potential backup. Roots crawl into tiny openings in the sewer line, growing around other debris such as grease or eggshell waste that typically causes backups. Sometimes chemicals can kill the tree’s roots, but if the roots reappear, the pipe may be damaged and require excavation to fix the problem.

Sewer backups are quite nasty and expensive, backup events are especially discouraging when they occur in a recently purchased home. Repairing a sewer line can also be extremely expensive, as it requires a bit of manpower for excavations and potentially street/sidewalk repairs. The cost of sewer line repair can cost about $5000, and if it gets to the street, costs can quickly reach two or three times that. Sewer repairs are considered the single most expensive repairs you could face as a homeowner. At Flatirons Plumbing, we provide expert sewer inspection analysis using multiple devices to ensure that you are protected from nasty sewer backups.

HOW ABOUT SIDE SEWER INSPECTIONS?

Your home’s side sewer contains the pipeline that exits the home and joins up with the community sewer main, usually located in the middle of the street. Some of the oldest homes were constructed with sewer pipes made of clay. This changed around the mid-20th century, to concrete. Clay and concrete pipes (builders switched to plastic in the late 70’s-early 80’s) are often susceptible to cracks and tree root infiltration at the joints between pipe sections. As plastic PVC pipes are glued together, they are impervious to roots. This doesn’t make them invincible as new plastic pipes may have issues too, including cracks, shifting pipes and low spots. We have encountered new houses with plastic lines that were crushed by trucks driving over them, or coming apart when contractors forgot to glue a joint.

HOW DO I INSPECT MY SEWER LINE?

Flatirons Plumbing offers top-notch sewer inspection services, you can simply place a call and ask for one of our professional plumbers. We work by using a camera to inspect your sewer line for obstructions and breaks. We will dispatch a professional to snake our video camera equipment into the clean-out and guide the camera through the sewer. By doing this, we will find out if the sewer line is clean or clogged and our on-site inspectors will disclose the condition of your sewer and what to do next. We also offer more in-depth information like what kind of material was used to construct the sewer line and whether that type of material is considered good construction today. The costs of an inspection when compared to that of replacing a sewer line, is money well spent.

If you have any questions or ready to schedule an appointment with Flatirons Plumbing, we will be ready to help you.