DOUGLAS E. SMITH
        Smith Custom Builders

Within the last few years, water purification in homes has become more and more popular. With all the problems that every homeowner encounters, it is never too soon to invest in a water purification system.

Many common problems are, hot water heater, bathtub and toilet bowl rings, lime and calcium deposits, dingy laundry, water spotting on dishes, iron or rust staining, dry skin and hair problems, buildup on showers tile and glass, mineral deposits on fixtures and in all your pipes.

With the amount of calcium and magnesium in our water, it is a good idea to protect fixtures for buildup. Hot water heaters build up calcium deposits quickly, leaving the capacity if the water heater lower. It looses the amount of water storage space inside its tank because the calcium hardens into a large stone like object.

Conditioned water helps with laundry. When your water is unconditioned, hard with minerals, it required more soap to do the same job. Laundry washed with conditioned water uses up to 70% less soap, and feels fresher, cleaner and softer.

There are also water filtration units that fit under your kitchen counters that can be used to pipe drinking water to your kitchen sink, icemaker, or bar. There are many different type of systems on the market, using different types of technologies.

First is the “Ozonation” or ozone which is the most powerful useful oxidant known to destroy contaminates. There are two wavelengths used in water purification,
one is a germicidal wavelength, the other produces ozone, which is mixed with water. When the ozone oxidizes in the water, it leaves no chemical residue and improves the taste of your drinking water.

Second, is the other wavelength found in “Ultraviolet Light”, this is called germicidal. Exposure from this light destroys DNA in living cells, rendering them unable to reproduce, or just killing them.

Third is Activated Carbon Filtration, which protects against chemical contaminants. Through chemical absorption, many common contaminants, including chlorine, become trapped in the fissures of carbon.

The one thing to remember is Carbon Filters can be a great food source for bacteria.
That is why it is not a good idea to use carbon filters that attach directly to your faucet. Yale University did a study that found carbon filters can raise bacteria levels by 20 times the level of normal tap water. That is why it is recommended to use it only with an Ultraviolet Light system, which kills the bacteria before it enters the carbon.

Forth uses different types of adsorption media filter materials; different companies use different types depending on what they are trying to achieve. Many remove and trap dissolved lead in water.

For those who use well water, a custom system should be designed to the water in your area. One company we use with great success is AquaCure Inc. You can call them at 713-522-0044.

Choosing the right water treatment for your home should be left up to an expert who can test your water and set up the right system for your needs.

Smith Custom Builders is the winner of 13 awards in 2002, Including Custom Home of the Year, and Remodel of the Year.