Know What's In Your Water

Why Test Your Water?

Most homeowners never actually find out what's in their water until something goes wrong — a water heater fails early, fixtures build up a crusty white scale, or the water starts tasting or smelling off. By then you're usually fixing a problem instead of preventing one.

A quick test can point you toward the real cause instead of guessing. If you're seeing any of these, it's worth having your water checked:

  • White, chalky scale on faucets, showerheads, or in the coffee maker
  • Soap that won't lather well, or dishes and glassware coming out spotty
  • Rust-colored or orange staining in sinks, tubs, or toilets
  • A metallic taste or discolored water, especially after the water sits for a while
  • A water heater that's failing years before it should

Brian's approach: I test first, then explain what the numbers actually mean for your home. If everything looks fine, I'll tell you that too — there's no pressure to buy anything.

What We Test For

Hardness

Hardness is a measure of dissolved calcium and magnesium in your water, usually expressed in grains per gallon (GPG). Hard water is extremely common in our area and is one of the biggest reasons water heaters, fixtures, and appliances wear out early — the minerals settle out as scale inside pipes, tanks, and valves.

Iron

Iron is common in well water throughout Franklin County and shows up as reddish-orange staining, a metallic taste, or discolored water. Depending on the form it's in, iron can also affect how well a water softener works, so it's worth knowing about before you invest in treatment.

Calcium

Calcium is one of the main minerals that makes water "hard." High calcium levels contribute to scale buildup in pipes and on fixtures, and can shorten the life of a water heater over time.

💡 How the Test Works — Honestly

I test hardness, iron, and calcium on-site using a home water test kit — the same type sold at Lowe's and similar stores. It's a quick, reliable way to get a general reading in just a few minutes, right there in your kitchen.

What this is not: this is a screening test, not a state-certified laboratory analysis. It's a great, free way to understand what you're dealing with day to day. If you need certified, lab-verified results — for example, for a real estate transaction, or to test for bacteria, nitrates, or lead — I'll point you toward a certified lab instead of guessing.

What Happens After Testing

Once I have your results, I'll walk you through what they mean in plain language — no sales pitch required. If your water is testing hard or has elevated iron, I'll explain your options, including water softeners and filtration, and what a system would realistically cost and accomplish. If your water is in good shape, I'll tell you that and we shake hands.

Curious about treatment options? Read more on our water softener & purification page.

Ask Brian

Want your water tested? Call or text Brian directly at (314) 620-4809 to set up a free test — whether you're on a well or city water.