The Complete Guide to At-Home Water Quality Testing

Water quality is essential for both your health and peace of mind. For those with private wells, the responsibility for water testing falls on the homeowner. Whether you’re concerned about potentially harmful contaminants, want to protect your plumbing and appliances, or need to evaluate the effectiveness of your current water treatment systems, at-home water quality testing provides a practical solution. By conducting a home water analysis, you can identify and address issues, ensuring your water is safer to drink and use. 

Signs You Should Conduct Tap Water Testing

You have well water

Homeowners who rely on city water can reach out to their municipality to receive a copy of the annual water quality report, usually for free. If you have private well water, it’s your responsibility to conduct water testing and treat any present contaminants. 

You moved into a new house 

When you move into a new home, you should prioritize tap water testing. It’s important to have a baseline understanding of your water quality so you can better recognize and gauge changes. 

Your water has a strange taste or smell 

If your water tastes or smells metallic, rotten egg-like, or chemical, there’s a problem that should be addressed. 

 

How to Get Rid of a Sulfur Smell in Your Tap Water

 

Your water is cloudy or discolored

Water should be crystal clear. If you see a brown, yellow, or cloudy appearance, you may have a lot of sediment or transition minerals like iron, manganese, or sulfur present in your water. 

There is staining on your fixtures or laundry 

Brown, black, or reddish stains on sinks, tubs, toilets, or clothes after use or washing should prompt you to conduct a home water analysis. 

You always have dry skin and hair 

If you are consistently moisturizing your skin and hair but suffer from persistent dryness, irritation, or brittleness, hard water may be the culprit. 

Your home has frequent plumbing issues 

Frequent clogs, reduced water flow, or visible corrosion or staining on pipes, fixtures, or appliances warrant a home water analysis. 

Your fixtures and appliances have scale buildup 

White, crusty scale buildup on faucets, showerheads, and appliances might not be harmful, but it can reduce efficiency. This is almost certainly caused by hard water. 

You have unexplained illnesses or ailments 

Recurring gastrointestinal issues or skin rashes could indicate the presence of either microorganisms, chemicals, or heavy metals. 

You live in an older home 

If your home was built before 1986, you may have lead pipes, which could cause issues for your water. 

You notice sudden changes to your water 

If your water taste, smell, or color suddenly seems off, you should order a test. 

How Can I Test My Water at Home?

There are all kinds of at-home water tests available, including test strips and digital meters. However, the only way to truly receive accurate results you can trust is to use a laboratory test kit. 

Kind Water System’s Water Test and Survey provides lab-reviewed results for a range of common water issues.

 

Order Your Water Test And Survey Kit

 

We make it easy for you to test your water at home. After your purchase, we’ll send your water test and survey kit overnight. Upon arrival, scan the QR code on the kit to create an account in our secure proprietary database. Include all relevant details about your home and water. We need as much information as possible for a proper home water analysis. 

To collect a sample at home, run a cold-water faucet until your well’s pump turns on. Do not use hot water to collect a sample. Allow your water to run clear before you fill the bottle. By allowing your water to run as clear as possible, you’ll get a better representation of the water quality coming directly from your well. Make sure to fill the sample bottle and seal it appropriately. 

Once the sample is collected, return it using the prepaid label. Within three to four business days, a Kind Water technician will contact you to provide the results of your test kit and a customized recommendation for how to treat your water if issues are discovered. If you decide to invest in a Kind Water solution, we’ll apply the cost of your water survey and test kit to the cost of your new system. 

 

Order Your Water Test And Survey Kit