Whether you have a plumbing problem that needs to be fixed, or you’re planning a remodel or construction project, you’ll find lots of helpful plumbing tips here. Our resident experts offer up advice on fixing leaky faucets, choosing the right water heater, and finding the right professional, when necessary, to handle your plumbing issues.
Distillation and reverse osmosis (RO) are two of the most popular water purification methods, but ozone home treatment systems are gaining popularity. Ozone has been used to sanitize waters since the 1890s, the first large scale system was put in place in 1906 and it’s the preferred technology in many US public utilities. Let’s examine...
No matter what type of water filtration solution you’re considering, at some point you’ll have to decide: Do you want to treat all the water that enters the household or only water used at select locations? First Things First The first thing to master is the lingo. Whole-house filtration systems are often referred to as...
Where drinking water is concerned, emerging contaminants (ECs) are the hot topic of the moment. The term describes up to 90 different chemicals, herbicides, over-the-counter medications, pesticides and pharmaceuticals that routinely show up in minute amounts in public drinking water supplies. According to one federal study, 53 out of 74 waterways used as drinking water...
No single water treatment technology effectively removes all contaminants, but distillation and reverse osmosis systems are considered two of the most effective treatment methods. Both improve water quality by removing many of the most serious biological, organic, inorganic and chemical contaminants. Because each technology has its proponents and detractors, we’re offering an objective overview of...
Whether you’re investing in a new water treatment system or seeking ways to boost the effectiveness of an existing one, it’s likely you’ve noticed the widespread use of activated carbon filters in water filtration and treatment systems. Are carbon filters really better? The practice of using carbon as a filter dates to the Egyptians, who...
When the water flowing from your tap looks murky, smells strange or has an odd flavor, there’s a water treatment system that can help solve these problems. Your challenge as a homeowner is to understand the different technologies involved and then choose the combination of devices and system(s) that solve your specific issues. To simplify...
Everything affects water quality, from the treatment methods used by your water utility to the pipes hidden inside the walls of your home. Elsewhere we’ve discussed the advantages and disadvantages of specific piping materials. Now, let’s look at the most common types of plumbing pipe found in American homes and the effect they have on...
PEX tubing and copper pipe are the two of the most widely used plumbing materials today, and each offers advantages and disadvantages. Let’s take an objective look at some of the pros and cons. PEX Tubing Introduced into the US in the 1980s, PEX (crosslinked polyethylene) tubing has gained widespread popularity and become the go-to...
If your drinking water is cloudy or discolored, it’s a sure sign you have some kind of water quality issue. Unfortunately, many of the contaminants that pose the most serious threats to your family’s health are colorless, odorless and invisible to the naked eye, so your water can be crystal clear but potentially harmful. Lead...
Each year in the US, a number of infectious outbreaks are traced to drinking water contaminated with various bacteria, parasites and/or viruses. According to current data from the US Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the top risk of infection is associated with five very scary microorganisms: Giardia. Classified as a parasite, this microscopic organism features...