Currently, Canada ranks 4th out of 17 countries with ‘Grade A’ water quality. However, according to The Conference Board of Canada, the country’s freshwater sources are continually polluted with municipal waste. Toxic algae and agricultural overflows cause problems too. This makes it necessary to do what you can to enhance the quality of what flows into your home. One way to complement the national preventive systems is by improving your home’s plumbing. Below are some tips.
1. Test Your Water Quality At Home
One of the easiest and safest ways to gain accurate information about your home’s water quality is by testing it. There are several testing kits around the country, so it’s not difficult to find a few. Fortunately, they are simple enough that you can use them without help. Moreover, the instructions on the packaging are easy to understand. Some of these testing kits are color-coded pH buffers and will indicate your water’s safety by showing different hues. All you need to do is to match the strip against the colors shown on the box. If your home’s water is contaminated, you may need to contact experts to determine how best to make it safe for consumption. Sometimes, you may just need to change a corrosive faucet or install a new filter.
2. Backflow Prevention
In plumbing, this refers to the reverse flow of water towards a source. Usually, when this happens, treated water comes into contact with unwholesome water. Subsequently, the contaminated water flows back into the taps and the home. Unfortunately, the polluted water may look clear when it contains disease-causing microorganisms like E.coli. A backflow prevention device is what you need in your plumbing system. You may need a licensed plumber to install it.
3. Flush Your Home’s Water Lines
Experienced plumbers say when water sits in the pipes for too long, it increases the risk of contamination. It may trap harmful bacteria or absorb hazardous minerals from within the pipes. For this reason, running it for a maximum of two minutes is recommended. When you open the tap and allow cold water to run for that long, you increase the chances of flushing out contaminants from the taps.
This technique is particularly helpful when you’re about to drink from the tap or cook with the water. Experts say, when you have been away from home for several hours, it is the first thing to do when you return. Better yet, if you haven’t used the taps for more than four hours, this flushing technique can help you bypass any contamination.
4. Drain Your Home’s Water Heater
As part of regular maintenance, water heaters should be drained to eliminate residue buildup. Apart from improving the life expectancy of your water heater, it is a way to keep the water clean and safe. Undoubtedly, it would be better to follow the manufacturer’s instructions. Some brands advise draining just a gallon of water monthly. Others recommend doing it every six months. So, it would help to stick with the specific instructions from the manufacturer.
In Canada, you can be sure that your potable water is exactly what it says. However, it would be best to take preventive steps to safeguard everybody’s health.
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