When buying a new home, it’s crucial to ensure that you ask the right questions so you have a clear understanding of your investment. As you’re attending open houses and considering your options, don’t forget to ask sellers about the home’s water quality. While it may not seem like a big detail, poor water quality in a future home will impact your day-to-day life significantly. Just think of how many times you turn on the faucet during a typical day at home! Here are 4 water quality questions to get you started.
Ask About the Water Source
It’s important to know if your home will have municipal water or well water as they have completely different sources and maintenance needs. Sometimes, this information is included in a home’s listing, but sometimes it is left out.
Municipal water comes from your local water authority. It is collected from surface water (rain or snow that’s collected in streams, rivers, lakes, and reservoirs) and groundwater. This “raw” water is pumped into a nearby water treatment facility, it is filtered and treated, and then pumped into your home’s pipes. Municipal water may still have quality issues, such as excess mineral content or “hardness,” but is otherwise safe to drink.
Well water comes from groundwater beneath your home. Well water homes have private, often electric-powered pumps that draw the water up from the underground aquifers, through a gravel screen that removes large particles, and into a tank where it is stored for use. When you turn on the tap in your home, water is pulled from your storage tank and brought through your faucets. Since well water comes directly from the ground, it is not treated or decontaminated. If you are looking at a home that has well water, be sure to ask about the age of the well, how it has been maintained by previous homeowners and the last time the water was tested.
Understanding where your home’s water comes from is essential. If your home has well water, you’ll need to consider what type of maintenance it may require and if that’s a good fit for your family and lifestyle. The good news is that regardless of whether your potential home has municipal water or well water, you can install a whole home water purification system to help mitigate any of the issues that may arise from either water source.
Ask About Existing Systems
Be sure to ask if there is an existing home water purification system. If there is, find out where it is and how you can maintain it. If the home has well water, ask where the well cap is so you can ensure that the surrounding area stays clear of any harmful contaminants, like oil, gasoline, or agricultural runoff.
Ask About Common Water Problems
Typically, houses look their best during the open house process, so you may not notice buildup from hard water around faucets and sinks. If you’re serious about making an offer on a home, ask about common water issues the previous homeowners may have experienced, such as hard water buildup or smelly water. These need not be make-it-or-break-it discussions, since these common water issues can be solved. But it’s important to know what you’re walking into so you can appropriately identify and handle maintenance issues when you move in.
Ask About Water Issues in the Area
Unfortunately, some regions of the United States have been hit hard by water contamination. If you’re moving to a new state or region, ask your realtor about any water issues that have been documented in the area, such as PFAS contamination. If you aren’t able to get answers from the realtor or previous homeowner, consider getting the water tested for PFAS, lead, and other harmful contaminants. If major contamination is found, reach out to Wolverine Water for a customized solution.
Consider a Whole Home System
We all want our water to be pure, clean, and healthy. The best way to take the guesswork out of your home’s water quality is to install a whole home water purification system. A whole-home system ensures that the water coming out of your faucets and running through your appliances is free from damaging minerals and harmful contaminants. Have confidence that when you turn on your tap the water is safe and it tastes pure and refreshing.
Contact the Wolverine Water team today to get a free water test. In just 20 minutes, we can help determine exactly what’s impacting your water quality and recommend a system customized for your home. Schedule a free water test today!
