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Common Water Treatment Problems

Common water treatment problems and how to diagnose and fix them.

All Water Treatment Problems 3

Bad Taste or Odor in Water

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Water that tastes or smells off -- chlorine, rotten eggs, metallic, musty -- has a specific cause for each type. Identifying what it tastes or smells like is the fastest path to the right fix.

easy 15 - 30 minutes for testing; longer for treatment system install $10 - $50 for test kit; $150 - $2,000+ for treatment system
Tools: Water test kit (basic DIY strips, $10-30) or certified lab analysis ($30-200+) Carbon filter pitcher (Brita, PUR, $20-40) or faucet-mount filter ($20-35) Whole-house activated carbon filter ($150-500 installed) Reverse osmosis under-sink system ($150-400 for point-of-use) Replacement water heater anode rod (aluminum-zinc or powered, $20-80) Chlorine bleach (for well shock chlorination, unscented household bleach)

Hard Water Buildup

medium DIY

White, chalky deposits on everything -- faucets, shower heads, glass doors, inside pipes and water heaters. Calcium and magnesium restrict flow, kill efficiency, shorten appliance life. About 85% of US homes have hard water.

easy 30 - 60 minutes for cleaning; days for softener install $5 - $20 for cleaning supplies; $500 - $2,500 for water softener
Tools: Water hardness test kit (strips or titration) White vinegar (the primary cleaning agent for limescale) Non-scratch scrub pad or old toothbrush CLR or commercial lime and calcium remover (for heavy deposits) Rubber bands or plastic bags (for soaking faucets in place) Garden hose (for water heater flushing) Toothpick or safety pin (for shower head nozzle cleaning)

Low RO System Output

medium DIY

RO system filling slowly, weak trickle, or running out of water? Clogged pre-filters, worn membrane, low feed pressure, or waterlogged tank. Most fixes are filter replacements or pressure adjustments.

easy 30 - 60 minutes $20 - $80 for replacement filters and membrane
Tools: Replacement pre-filter set (sediment + carbon, matched to system brand) Replacement RO membrane (matched to system brand and size) Filter housing wrench (usually included with system) TDS meter ($15-20, for testing membrane performance) Tire pressure gauge and bicycle pump (for checking/adjusting tank pressure) Bucket and towels (for filter changes)