7 Reasons to Have a Water Filter Installed in Your Home or Business

Many people around the world rely on unfiltered rainwater as their primary source of drinking water, and many of them will be unaffected by E. coli. Rainwater, however, rarely meets the domestic needs of most families, necessitating the use of filtered water.

Filtering water may improve the flavour of your water as well as eliminate impurities and dirt. It can also be a more environmentally responsible way to drink clean water because it reduces the usage of single-use plastic bottles.

Filtered water is made by running water through a filter bed that is designed to remove or minimize specific sorts of pollutants from the water. Water that is free of contaminants has numerous health benefits, but filtered water offers numerous environmental benefits as well.

Water filters employ a variety of filter media to target and remove as many impurities as possible without using chemicals or affecting the flavour of the water. Some of the most common filter materials include:

• Coconut shell activated carbon

• Ceramic spheres or candles

• Reverse osmosis membranes

Filtered water is healthier, cheaper, and less harmful to the environment than bottled water, for the following reasons:

1. Filtered Water Is Free of Contaminants.

A basic water filtration system will remove sediments, chlorine and its by-products, as well as volatile organic compounds. As such, most carbon-based water filter systems improve the taste and odour of tap water.

When you go a notch higher and opt for modern filter models, you can further get rid of a variety of other potentially harmful or unpleasant impurities such as fluoride, industrial solvents, pesticides, poisons, hormones, germs, and heavy metals.

2. Filtered Water is Healthier than Unfiltered Tap Water

Based on point 1, it's obvious that filtered water is healthier than tap water that hasn't been filtered.

According to health expert Vicki Witt, not all toxins in tap water are harmful, long-term – and in some cases, short-term – exposure to some of them can be harmful to your health. In particular, cysts, viruses, bacteria, heavy metals, fluoride and chlorine, are some toxins that can be harmful.

Bottled water on the other hand when contained in plastic bottles can be a health risk since plastic may emit toxins into the water.

Plastic water bottles contain a significant quantity of BPA. Bisphenol A (BPA) is a compound that has been categorized as an endocrine disruptor, which means it has a harmful effect on a human's ability to reproduce.

3. Drinking Filtered Water is Convenient

While bottled water is one of the most convenient methods to stay hydrated at all times, filtered water on tap is also a practical way to receive drinking water on tap. All you need to do is carry your water bottle with you and run the tap for some toxin-free water!

4. Filtered Water Is Environmentally Friendly.

The bottled water industry is one of the world's leading plastic polluters. Filtered water is often less harmful to the environment because plastic waste is reduced as a result of fewer bottled water sales.

5. Filtered Water Is Cheap

Bottled water is costly, and some bottled water brands are out of reach for most people's budgets. Some bottled water manufacturers charge exorbitant prices based on the claim that they are sourced from pure springs.

Well, whether or not the water is from springs, we'll never know. All we know is that filtered water is incredibly inexpensive when compared to the cost of bottled water, which includes manufacturing costs, shipping costs connected with distribution, and marketing costs to advertise the product.

6. Filtered Water Is Under Your Control.

Yes, bottled water is tested, but the criteria are less stringent than those that apply to tap water. With filtered water, you have the control to target the impurities you wish to remove from tap water using a water filter.

Interior designer Gary Hamer has spoken to many of his clients that choose to include filters in their kitchens, and one thing they say is that you can refine the water to your liking. Want alkaline water right out of the tap? You can get all of this and more with a water filter!

7. Filtered Water is Gentle on Your Hair and Skin

You can bathe in chlorine-free water that is gentle on your hair and skin if you install a whole home water filter or a shower filter. Limescale is reduced by some water filters and shower filters, which is especially beneficial to those who live in locations with hard water.

Water Filter Types for Quick Access to Filtered Water

To get filtered water on tap, you can install a variety of water filters in your home. The following are the two main types of water filters:

• Point-Of-Use Filters

They only filter water at the specific location where they are installed. Some POU water filters include shower filters, fridge filters, under-sink water filters, and countertop water filters.

The most common POU filters for domestic use are under-sink water filters. Under-sink filters, unlike countertop filters, are hidden in your kitchen cabinet and filter cold water. Filtered water is dispensed using a dedicated filter tap or 3-way tap on these filters.

Depending on the number of water filter cartridges in the system, both under-sink and countertop filters can be single-stage or multi-stage.

• Point-Of-Entry Filters.

They filter water at the point of entry before it is dispersed to all of your home's water outlets. Some examples of POE water filters include UV water filters and whole-house water filters.

Whole-house water filters are usually multi-stage and send filtered water to all of your home's water outlets.

Water Filtration Experts - SE Plumbing Supplies

Contact us at (08) 7703 8000 or visit us at 8 White Street 5276 Robe, South Australia!

Credit - Written by Mia Elliot

E: miaclarkelliott@gmail.com

How Often Do I Need to Run A Maintenance Service To My Gas Heater?

How Often Do I Need to Run A Maintenance Service To My Gas Heater?

By Mia Elliot

A gas heater, just like any other appliance in your home, needs regular maintenance to guarantee smooth and efficient performance. Maintenance services including checking all the components and testing them, especially the heat exchanger, thermostat, carbon monoxide, burner, fan clean, flue and gas pressure. The most important service is the carbon monoxide check.

That's because gas is toxic and will start leaking if the gas heater is not maintained properly. With regular maintenance, you can improve the working efficiency of your gas heater and improve the lifespan. Well, you might be wondering how often you should service your gas heater? According to the experts, this should be done at least once per year.

Make sure the maintenance is handled by a licensed professional. It's the best way to maintain the condition of the gas heater, especially during the cold winter season when you need to use your gas heater the most. Here are some of the benefits you can enjoy from regular maintenance of your gas heater.

1.      Reducing Utility Bills

By servicing the gas heater regularly or as recommended by the manufacturer will improve energy efficiency. It can reduce your monthly heating bills considerably. During the maintenance service, the professionals will handle the repairs and servicing to ensure that your heater is working as it should be.

Professional gas heater servicing professionals will lubricate the moving parts of the gas heater. They should also replace the clogged filters that might be forcing the heater to work harder for longer periods when heating up your home. "If the gas heater is working as efficiently and smoothly as it should be, your utility bills will reduce", says Bookkeeper Peter Wilesmit.

2.      Prevents Carbon Monoxide Leaks And Poisoning

If you want to prevent carbon monoxide leaks and poisoning in your home, you need to ensure regular gas heater maintenance and repair. You can't detect these leaks on your own since carbon monoxide is colourless and odourless. As such, when the leaks start happening, you might know it too late.

Exposure to carbon monoxide can cause dizziness, nausea, migraines, and in extreme cases, death. At least 300 people die every year due to carbon monoxide poisoning in Australia. At least 10,000 people are taken to emergency rooms every year due to carbon monoxide exposure.

You need to hire a reputable gas heater technician to check your heater and confirm whether it's burning and venting carbon monoxide properly. If it is not, the gas heater servicing expert will make the relevant changes to make sure that no one in the house is exposed to any carbon monoxide leaks.

3.      Maintain The Warranty

To maintain the integrity of your warranty, manufacturers will require that your gas heater is serviced at least once every year. Failure to do this will void your warranty. "Keeping the warranty is important, especially when you need a costly repair. Therefore, servicing your gas heater regularly will maintain the warranty," says building designer Rick Buick.

4.      Extend The Lifespan Of The Gas Heater

Besides ensuring that the gas heater is running smoothly and efficiently, servicing will prolong its lifespan. With dirt and debris accumulating will shorten the lifespan of your gas heater. That's because the heat exchanger will work harder to heat up your home. During routine maintenance, the technician will clean the furnace thoroughly and replace any worn-out parts, thereby extending the lifespan. Note that replacing a gas heater can be very expensive. Therefore, regular maintenance will save you from the premature replacement of your gas heater.

Conclusion

If you want your gas heater to perform efficiently for the longest time possible, make sure that it is serviced at least once a year. Hire the most experienced and licensed gas heater service, SE Plumbing Supplies, for all your maintenance needs. With our expertise and commitment, you can rest assured that your gas heater will start running smoothly and efficiently for the longest time possible.

Written By Mia Elliot

High Water Pressure: Everything You Need To Know

High Water Pressure: Everything You Need To Know Do you have problems with your water pressure?

You may not know the signs and symptoms. Which means your pipes could at risk, or your water bill rising.

Symptoms of high water pressure include:

. Leaking faucets
. Toilets running
. Banging noises

If you are experiencing the symptoms of high water pressure, it is wise to call a professional at South East Plumbing and Gas. Water pressure issues may cause expensive problems if not addressed on time.

A majority of people think that having high water pressure is a good thing. However, what they do not know is that high water pressure in a home may cause expensive damage and annoying noises. Infarct, research shows that excessive water pressure is the leading cause of leakages, damages, and water wastage.

If you’re concerned about high water pressure in your home, here’s everything you need to know.

The Risks Of High Water Pressure

Some areas in Australia are experiencing serious drought at the moment, which makes high water pressure an important topic to look at.

When the water pressure is too high it increases the chances of dripping and leaks out of the toilets, showers, and faucets. With time, the leaking water adds up to a lot of precious water, which could be conserved.

Let’s not forget the fact that with time, high water pressure will damage a home’s indoor water plumbing.

Imagine being sprung for a repair bill costing you thousands of dollars?

Have you ever heard of the term ‘water hammer’? This word is used to describe loud banging noises in a plumbing system which is caused by high water pressure that has encountered a valve.

Custom architect Michael Yousef has seen many homes in his time and says it is important to note that low water pressure and high water pressure are different problems, each having a root cause. He says “there are cases where a homeowner will experience both. A majority of old homeowners experience low water pressure problems often. That is because its root cause is rust build up in the pipeline. This is where the physics of water comes into play.”

How Does High Water Pressure Occur?

When water pipes are clogged with rust, high pressure builds up.

After some time, the water pressure will then reduce dramatically.

There are many solutions to this problem. However, the best option is replacing the old galvanised pipes with copper pipes, which are also excellent at supplying water. However, if your problem is only high water pressure, then the best solution is installing a pressure reducing valve (PRV).

After installing this valve, you must install an expansion tank. The function of the tank is to compensate for thermal expansions when water is heated.

However, the main goal here is to reduce wear and tear in the pressure side of the plumbing system by controlling water pressure. This also includes monitoring the supply pressure by taking pressure readings.

Your pressure reading should be between 55 and 60 PSI. If the reading goes beyond 70 PSI, then definitely your plumbing system is experiencing high water pressure, and this will shorten the lifespan of many plumbing components in your home.

The components that will be affected include:

. Emergency shutoff valve
. All faucets, shower, and tub valves
. Water heater
. All flexible water supply connections
. Dishwasher and washing machine solenoid valves
. Ballcock fill valves in the toilet tank

NOTE: All the above are expensive repairs.

For this reason, you want to get as much service out of them as possible, before replacing them. The biggest risk comes from ruptured water supply lines. Interior designer Gary Hamer has dealt with many homes and says “in truth, fixing or repairing a water leak is an easy job and anyone can do it. However, pipe or water supply restoration is another very expensive job.”

The Symptoms Of High Water Pressure

What are the symptoms of unregulated or high water pressure?

This is the million-dollar question. Well, below are some of the symptoms that indicate you have a high-pressure problem in your plumbing system.

. Dripping Faucet

If you are experiencing a constant dripping water problem from the shower, tub, and all faucets, explains modern home designer Rick Buick, chances are that you are experiencing high water pressure. He says “when the water supply is turned off, no drop of water is supposed to leak, and when it does, it should be investigated. It is important to note that many home cartridges or valves are not designed to handle high pressure, and when they do, they will leak prematurely.”

Therefore, if for example, changes a tub or shower cartridge and it is still experiencing high water pressure, then it will have a shorter lifespan. This means that it will experience premature failure. If you constantly hear banging or slamming sounds coming from your plumbing system, then most definitely you have either a loose pipe or high pressure.

If the faucet spout rises hard when turning on, that is a clear sign of high water pressure. In a nutshell, all you have to remember is that when you experience water leakage, the chances are that you are not having a plumbing problem but a high water pressure problem.

When left unchecked this can damage your home and contents, explains the upholstery team at A Plus Carpet Cleaning. This also includes leaks from the end of the water heater pressure and temperature relief valve drain pipe. It also means that the T&P valve is defective and should be replaced immediately.

The best solution is having an experienced and highly professional plumber to install the PRV valve as well as a thermal expansion tank.

. Running Toilet

To identify this problem, first, remove the tank lid and place it somewhere safe carefully. The next step is listening to the water filling up the toilet tank. A normal water pressure filling water in a toilet tank seems like it has no-pressure and it is not loud. However, if you notice the water seems to flow very well, and it is loud, the chances are that you have high pressure in your plumbing system.

The best way to be sure is by calling a professional plumber. An experienced plumber is the right person to tell you if you have a high water pressure or simple the fill valve is worn out.

. Low Water Pressure

Rarely, low water pressure is caused by low pressure. In most cases, the problem of low water pressure is caused by the galvanised pipes in the system, which is often a sign it needs replacing. Another problem is undersized pipe supply (a piping system that supplies to many outlets). The best thing is that this issue is easy to fix.

What To Do When Experiencing High Water Pressure

The best thing about this problem is that it is never too late to fix it.

If you are experiencing strange noises coming from the piping system, or leaks, it would be wise to consult a plumber.

If they are indeed sure that the problem is from high water pressure, they will most likely replace some pipes, seal all leaks, and install a PRV for you.

Prevention is better than cure: Contact the team at SE Plumbing Supplies to fix your plumbing problem for you.

---

Written by: Samantha Robinson