Water damage to your property can be a devastating experience, but what many don’t realize is that the aftermath can pose even more serious risks to your health. One such risk is the potential contamination of your water supply. While DIY water testing kits provide a semblance of control and immediate results, they may not be reliable.
As a restoration company in Idaho Falls, we understand the importance of ensuring your home is safe and healthy after water damage. That’s why we recommend considering professional water testing services to provide you with accurate results and peace of mind. In this blog post, we’ll discuss the limitations of DIY water testing kits and why turning to experts like HHE Idaho Falls can benefit you in the long run.
The Limitations of DIY Water Testing Kits
DIY water testing kits are affordable and easily accessible, making them popular for homeowners with questionable water quality. However, these kits have limitations that could compromise your results and safety. Most kits only test for a few contaminants and can’t detect lower levels of harmful substances.
Additionally, these kits often lack the accuracy offered by professional lab tests. Other limitations include:
- Limited Scope: DIY water testing kits typically only test for a few common contaminants, such as bacteria, lead, and pH levels. This means that if your water has other contaminants, they may go undetected.
- Lack of Expertise: Using DIY kits requires following instructions and interpreting the results independently, which can be difficult if you’re unfamiliar with water testing procedures.
- Health Hazards: Some contaminants, such as mold and bacteria, can cause health issues if not correctly identified and treated. DIY kits may not be able to detect these substances at all or only in higher concentrations, putting you and your loved ones at risk.
- False Positives: DIY kits may produce false positive results, leading to unnecessary panic and expenses. This can happen due to user error or the presence of natural minerals that resemble contaminants in your water.
- Delayed Results: DIY water testing kits can take days or weeks for results, exposing you to contaminated water. Professional lab tests provide faster, more accurate results for timely action.
As you can see, DIY water testing kits have numerous limitations. While they work for general applications, they don’t provide the thoroughness needed in post-water damage situations. Let’s discuss the risks of DIY water testing in more detail.
The Risks of DIY Water Testing After Water Damage
After experiencing water damage due to flooding or other incidents, homeowners in Idaho Falls might notice unusual characteristics in their water. It could be cloudy water as it comes out of the taps, or you might smell a strange odor whenever you turn on the faucet. These signs could indicate the presence of contaminants in your water.
Water contaminants can have severe consequences on your health and home, so it’s best to leave water testing in the hands of professionals.
Health Hazards of Contaminated Water
Contaminated water can pose significant health risks. After a flood, countless chemical contaminants, such as lead, mercury, and pesticides, can impact your private well. Biological hazards like bacteria, viruses, and parasites can lead to various gastrointestinal issues and neurological problems.
Furthermore, mold growth is a common problem in water-damaged buildings and can cause respiratory issues, allergies, and other health problems if not treated thoroughly. These potential hazards can be challenging to identify and address without proper water testing, making professional services a crucial step in restoration.
Water Contaminants Commonly Found in Idaho Falls
In Idaho Falls, common water contaminants include E. coli, coliform bacteria, nitrates, and arsenic. Other contaminants include:
- Cyanotoxins: Produced by algae blooms in water bodies, cyanotoxins can cause liver and nerve damage. No human deaths in the United States are a result of cyanotoxins, but livestock, pets, and wildlife are at risk.
- Radon: A colorless and odorless gas that is a known carcinogen. Some radon stays in the water, but only about 1-2% of radon comes from drinking water.
- Lead: Found in old plumbing systems, lead can cause developmental delays and neurological problems, especially in children.
- Disinfection Byproducts: Byproducts occur when water treatment plants use Bromate, Chlorite, and Haloacetic acids to kill bacteria. Exposure to disinfection byproducts can cause health issues, such as an increased cancer risk.
While some DIY kits may be able to test for these contaminants, they may not accurately determine their concentration levels, which is crucial for assessing health risks. Usually, regulators classify the dangers of water contaminants based on health advisories, which depend on each substance’s concentration levels. Health advisories list exposure limits for non-cancer effects for one-day, ten-day, or lifetime durations.
Regulators update these as often as necessary.
- 1-day and 10-day Health Advisories: As mentioned, regulators issue health advisories for one-day and ten-day exposure durations. These advisories protect a 22-pound child who consumes one liter of water daily. These are short-term exposure levels; researchers don’t expect them to cause negative effects.
- Lifetime Health Advisories: These health advisories protect adults from chronic exposure levels over a lifetime, assuming a daily intake of 2 liters of water.
If interested, the EPA has more information on the different health advisories for various contaminants.
Also Read: Factors That Affect Your Water Quality: What You Need to Know
Why Choose HHE Idaho Falls for Water Testing Services
When it comes to water testing after water damage, it’s best to leave it to the professionals. At Healthy Home Environmental Services in Idaho Falls, we have a team of certified specialists trained and experienced in conducting thorough water testing procedures. Often, after extensive flooding or water damage, it makes sense to test for a broad spectrum of contaminants.
The Superiority of Professional Water Quality Testing
Professional water quality testing through accredited labs offers a more comprehensive and reliable analysis. We use advanced techniques and equipment to detect these hidden contaminants, including those often missed by DIY kits. When results are available, we provide detailed reports on contaminant levels, equipping you with the information needed to take appropriate action.
While the treatment steps are up to you, we will still recommend the appropriate water treatment and restoration solutions to resolve your concerns.
Final Thoughts
While DIY water testing kits seem like a quick fix, they don’t provide the whole picture or the level of accuracy necessary. For peace of mind and your family’s health, consider professional water quality testing, especially after experiencing property damage due to water-related incidents. Stay safe, Idaho Falls, and remember, when it comes to the safety and quality of your water supply, it’s always better to entrust it to the professionals.
Contact HHE restoration company in Idaho Falls for reliable and accurate service.