The first Question is what kind of person are you?
A – Do it myself and save $$$! (got the time, don’t care to spend more than I have to)
B – Hire a pro for dough. (my time is worth a helluva lot more than spending it on DIY handyman projects)
A – If you are a DO IT YOURSELF home handyman, congratulations. Head to the nearest Big Box and buy some gear and get to work. What you will discover is most hardware stores buy equipment at low price points which often results in either undersized or inferior quality equipment … while you are there ask the head of the Service department who repairs equipment if it fails (wait, they don’t have a service department at Big Box stores do they?). No need to go any further … thanks for stopping in.
IF YOU ANSWERED A … DON’T GO ANY FARTHER … DO NOT PASS GO … STOP RIGHT NOW … YOU NEED TO GET UP AND GO FIX, REPAIR OR REPLACE SOMETHING … THANKS FOR GETTING THIS FAR.
B – If you are looking for a professional water company to help then the following questions and suggestions might help you get exactly what you want … and need.
THE WATER
Is it well water or municipal water?
Well water ___ if so go to next question
Municipal (city tap water____ if so see below)
Municipal supplies have info on water quality and content. We can provide this for you. The short answer is that in Amarillo your water is considered VERY HARD and it is heavily CHLORINATED.
If Well water have you had it tested? Yes _____ No _____ if so see below
Complete tests run about $100 bucks but less comprehensive are less. The most important test is coliform bacteria testing for contamination. We offer a $29.95 Well Water Test that includes coliform bacteria. [This is a deal, normal price is $100]. Call and we can arrange for someone to come out and take a sample. Results take about a week or two.
THE PROBLEMS
Think about the most important concerns … is it the safety of the water, is it the aesthetic factors or is it the convenience/savings (soft water can cut costs on soaps and appliances will last longer also takes less time/effort cleaning showers, tubs & toilets). Some people want good drinking water, others don’t like hard water and for some it is the chlorine in the water. Others want ALL their water problems solved.
What are your specific water problems or concerns?
Does the water taste or smell bad? Yes _____ No _____
Are you worried the water isn’t safe and clean? Yes _____ No _____
Do you have water spots on shower doors and silverware? Yes _____ No _____
What are you using your water for? The Four basic uses of water
Not all water is used the same way. For example the water we drink and use for consumption constitutes only about 2-3% of the water we use. You don’t need drinking water quality if you are using it to water the yard or flush. Let’s look at how you use water.
There are four basic uses of water in the home:- Raw tap water for watering yard:Â You don’t need to treat tap water for yards and landscape.
- Water for Drinking:Â The real question is what kind of Drinking Water Filter system works best for you. Most folks have a fridge filter but these inline filters only do part of the job of removing contaminants. To remove up to 99% of contaminants you will need a multi-filtration system that includes reverse-osmois.
- Water for Cleaning: If you want clean Dishes & Laundry … the problme is Hard water and the solution is a Soft Water. What you may not realize is that you are already soften the water except you are doing it chemically with detergents. A Water Softener will cut the use of cleaning products but up to 60% or more … and do a much better job.
- Water for Bath & Beauty: Untreated tap water can dry out Skin & Hair. Expensive beauty products and lotions won’t overcome water problems so fix the water first. When it comes to bathing and beauty care you want water that is both Soft & Chlorine free … the solution is a Water Softener plus + a Whole House Filter.
All water problems are local … where is the house?
The key is to work with a someone who is familiar with the local water conditions (and solutions) in the Amarillo area. That’s where we come in. We can test, size, analyze and work with you to find the right solutions.
Is the company local and do they have home service?
If the company is local and have a good reputation you are probably ok. Might want to find out how long they have been in business in your community. Make sure they have a viable service department. It isn’t unusual for a company to sell equipment in a city but not have a local service center. Another question to ask is if they offer home system rental programs. If they rent then they will have service support. If they don’t then watch out. They could be here today and gone tomorrow.
How much will it cost?
Before you can get the answer to that question there are a lot of questions that need answers. How big is the house, how many in the home, where will the equipment be installed, what is the size of the piping etc …? In fact the biggest expense is usually installation. The best strategy is to have a professional design and install a system that has been properly sized for the application. But for the record … we have rates starting around $30/month.
To better, healthier water,
Jimmy Lewis, your local CULLIGAN MAN