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legalhandcannon OP t1_ixurb95 wrote

Reply to comment by rrrevor in DC Water Test Results Lead Levels? by legalhandcannon

House is 1930s. No idea on the pipes. The lines appear to be copper.

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MammothBobcat251 t1_ixxl3bg wrote

DC water has a map and you can search your house to find out when the pipe leading in was replaced or if it’s been verified. My pipes were copper which was a relief. I did put a whole house filter system in anyway because the water in this city is just awful.

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ProvenceNatural65 t1_ixyl78k wrote

Can you tell me more about your filter system? I’m considering doing one now to address the overall PH (which I think is drying our hair and skin excessively) and the chlorine. Our plumber is quoting $5-8k ugh. Did you pay that much? Any tips?

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MammothBobcat251 t1_ixyqbxo wrote

It’s an aquasana system. Master plumbers can install it and you should have them asses your house before you order it. You can install the system in some tight spaces but it isn’t ideal. It’s installed where the water enters the house and mine is two smaller filters and one 5ft tall tank. I change the pre filter every two months (it turns brownish yellow), the post filter is every 6 months, the main filter is good for 6 months. They auto send the smaller filters.

The water tastes great and I’m happy I did it. The system is about $1600 and the install was about $1000 so not cheep, but it’s worth the piece of mind. You can also get under sink systems for less. I did not get the UV filter or any bells and whistles.

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ProvenceNatural65 t1_iy1i1m8 wrote

Can you tell me who you had do that installation? I was quoted much higher!

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MammothBobcat251 t1_iy1idxz wrote

I used Master Plumbersin Silver Spring. They installed everything last year. They had me buy the filter direct from aquasana. Make sure that your install space is big enough and that the high quote isn’t because of some other issue.

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violet-shift t1_iy1epp4 wrote

> which I think is drying our hair and skin excessively

I was in a different city with quite soft water for Thanksgiving, and holy shit did my hair and skin feel better while I was there. It's got me looking for ways to deal with this.

I've seen a lot of folk on reddit mention something called a water stick that you install into your shower for softening, but I'm kind of unclear if that would actually help with DC's water or not.

(I get the impression a whole house system is generally better, but since I currently rent an apt that isn't an option -- but something that just sits attached to the shower line might be.)

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ProvenceNatural65 t1_iy1hvwc wrote

Yeah the PH of DC’s water is supposedly really high and wreaks havoc on your hair and skin :/

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