Water used for showering and bathing is usually one of the main sources of water that goes unnoticed.  But take a second to think about it…

Have you noticed your skin is dry or irritated?

What about dry hair?

If you answered yes to either of those questions your skin and hair could be experiencing reactions to the Chlorine in your bathing water or Hardness built up in your pipes.

Another thing you could be experiencing is smelly water, (link to post about smelly water) which could mean you are breathing in chlorine fumes during hot showers.

Like we talked about in last weeks post, (link to the post about chlorine) chlorine can cause serious problems when it reacts with certain organic materials and sometimes does not last long enough to completely filter the water. So although Chlorine is the cheapest method of filtration, it is not the most effective.

The city water is automatically chemically treated, however, as a homeowner you have the final say once the water reaches your home, whether you still want those chemicals in your water or not.

Certain water filtration systems like H2O Harmony Water Quality Solutions (link to site) offer the perfect fix for any water source. H20 Harmony water treatment products treat the water, protecting your body and home and helping save Mother EarthThere are two filtration systems that can help filter the water that you are bathing and showering with:

1. Whole Harmony:
   • Used for Drinking and Cooking
   • Showering and Bathing

1. Complete Harmony:
   • Complete Harmony actually covers filtration for water used for
   1. 1. Drinking and Cooking
      2. Showering and Bathing
      3. Laundry and Cleaning

Because Phoenix has naturally harder water, some homes suffer from excess sediment and turbidity, and the buildup of iron, manganese, hydrogen sulfide and chlorine – and this may lead to corrosion in your plumbing system that could damage pipes, plumbing fixtures and water-based appliances.

By using either water filtration system, you will experience great drinking water, smoother and softer skin and improvements of skin conditions, including dryness. You will experience shiner and silkier hair and improved odor. The Whole Harmony filtration systems will protect your home’s plumbing for years to come efficiently and economically.

In order to thank all active service members and veterans, Benjamin Franklin, The Punctual Plumber, is offering $ 55 dollars off of any repair you need done by the end of May.

Tune in to Gayle Bass and

AZTV talk show host Lisa Schneider-Cipriano

for this months Memorial Day coupons!

BFP_AZ Radio Spot

Benjamin Franklin Plumbing consistently gives back to the community, but when it comes to the military it’s a whole different level of giving.

Benjamin Franklin Plumbing has entered a partnership with Hire Heroes USA so that jobs will be available to veterans.

“Benjamin Franklin is proud to be able to assist the [HHUSA] non-profit in its mission of reducing the number of unemployed veterans of Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom, which stands at a staggering 1.39 million.”

And HHSU is also just as excited to partner with Benjamin Franklin…

“Hire Heroes USA is honored to partner with Benjamin Franklin franchisees,” Sara Trask, HHUSA’s director of corporate relations said. “What a great opportunity for many of our veterans with technical experience to join [One of the 250 Benjamin Franklin Plumbing] franchisees across the country doing work they love to do and can excel at.”

The locally based Benjamin Franklin Plumbing franchise also participates in giving back to wounded veterans. By teaming up with Flancer’s Pizza in Gilbert we raised over $ 33,000 dollars at the 11^th annual charity pizza-eating contest for the Wounded Warriors Project.

Benjamin Franklin sponsored the pizza-eating contest by donating $2,600 dollars to the fundraiser in addition to their sponsorship in honor of World Plumbing Day where they donated $10 dollars from all appointments made March 11^th –

Raising a total of $340 dollars for the Wounded Warriors Project.

Flancer’s and the Wounded Warrior Project is just one of several organizations throughout the Valley that Benjamin Franklin Plumbing is involved with. They donate monthly to Gabriel’s Angels, partnered with Rosie Romero from Rosie on the House to build the first ever Rosie/Benjamin Franklin Plumbing Habitat for Humanity home and SARRC to name a few.

For more information about Benjamin Franklin, The Punctual Plumber and the different organizations we are involved with please visit: http://www.benfranklinplumbingaz.com/ or call 480-812-1855.

Last week we mentioned how the chlorine and hardness affected the performance of your plumbing and the quality of your water.

What you may not know is Chlorine is added to drinking water as a disinfectant, known as Chlorination, to prevent waterborne diseases. It is chosen, as the standard disinfectant because it is the cheapest, but that does not mean it is the most effective.

In fact, according to Judith Pratt, once chlorine enters our drinking water it unites with organic materials to from trihalomethanes, otherwise known as THM’s, which are known to cause cancer. They are also known to affect the nervous system; kidneys, liver and can even cause a miscarriage in pregnancy.

Apart from health issues, the main drawbacks to Chlorination are:

1. That the chemicals disappear to quickly from the water system
   1. According to the World Health Organization (WHO) “Risks to health from DBP’s, like THM’s, are extremely small in comparison with inadequate disinfection [from lack of chemicals].”
2. Another drawback is for aesthetic reasons, like taste and odor.
   1. What’s in your water? If you want to find out what that taste or smell is try and narrow it down with our help!

Find out what water contaminants Dr. Oz says could be in your water and some signs that could help you figure out if you need a water filter.

So now you’re wondering… “If chlorine is added by the city automatically into your water, how do you filter the good drinking water?”

In order to get out contaminants cause by chlorine, among other things, and leave in the healthy minerals you should invest in a filter system.

Now your second question is most likely, “How do I know which filter system is best from me?”

H20 Harmony offers a total of four treatment package systems:

1. Simple Harmony: under-the-counter drinking water carbon filer
2. Whole Harmony: whole-house carbon filter makes water taste better
3. Soft Harmony: whole-house water softener takes hardness out
4. Complete Harmony: whole-house carbon filter and softener combined

Stay tuned for our three part series, following last weeks water used for ‘Drinking & Cooking’ will be water used for ‘Showering & Bathing,’ then water used for ‘Laundry & Cleaning.’

We will explain the different filtration systems we use specifically for each category and ultimately help you experience cleaner, healthier water.

Have you noticed your water has started to smell or taste bad?

Water used for drinking and cooking is one of the most important water sources to maintain, and is usually the easiest to notice when it comes to repairs. However, you may not be aware of the two main components affecting the quality of your water OR that you have the ability to improve the quality of your water once it enters your home.

Phoenix has some of the hardest water in the country, affecting plumbing and if unfixed causes unsuitable drinking water. Through effective water treatment methods you can make hard water desirable and useful. Luckily, Benjamin Franklin Plumbing provides a few easy solutions to reduce repairs and protect your plumbing system so that you can enjoy cleaner, healthier water.

Two things affect the performance of your plumbing system:

1. Age of System

2. Quality of Water – Chlorine & Hardness

Water softening and Water Treatment can improve the quality of the water entering your home, improving your use of water for drinking and cooking, laundry and cleaning and showering and bathing. Find out how knowledgeable you are about Water Softeners.

How does your Water Taste and Smell?

• Swimming Pool Odor?
  • Tap water with a chlorine-like taste and smell may be cause by an elevated level of chlorine in the water.
• Sulfur or Rotten Egg Smell?
  • The smell is usually caused by bacteria growing in your sink drain or water heater, but could also be caused by the water itself.

• Metallic Taste?
  • Waters metallic taste is usually due to metals like iron or copper rusting the galvanized steel pipe in home plumbing. A low pH could also be a factor.
• Salty or Bitter Taste?
  • All water has a certain amount of salts and other minerals but high levels of TDS, sodium, sulfates or nitrates can affect your water’s taste, making it salty or bitter. The pH value determines how acidic or alkaline water is, and helps control pipe corrosion and some taste problems.

Treatment systems can improve odor, improve taste of food cooked or rinsed in water and improve taste of beverages made with water.

Arizona’s notorious summer heat will have everyone in search of shade and water, but there are some things homeowners might not think of when it comes to drinking and preserving water in their own home.

1. Drinking water.

Is your tap water ready to drink?

• The number one summer rule is to have a glass of water nearby at all times. What homeowners may not know is they should be checking and changing water filters to make sure that water is clean on a regular basis. Make sure to check not only your kitchen sink water filter, but also the refrigerator water and ice filters. The most common water systems are reverse osmosis systems, but there are others.
• Along with water filters make sure to check and test the house water treatment systems. Test the water to be sure the hardness or chlorine levels are still correct, even though the system is on, does not mean it is getting your water to the levels you want.

2. Checking for leaks saves you money.

• Homeowners can save money by doing easy appliance checks for leaks.

• Checking Toilet Flappers, the moving part of the flush valve, can be an easy measure to prevent wasting water. Flappers deteriorate over time and should be checked every year. Make sure the flap fits tightly over the flush tube. If it’s not properly secured over 200 gallons of water a day can be wasted and hundreds of dollars a year. If the flap isn’t sealing water into the tanks and allowing water to exit the tank when you flush, call 602-485-1111 for quick service.

• Check Yard Hoses.
  

  Check the Waterhose!

  Hosepipes should be tight, not dripping, if there is dripping, you’re losing money. The dripping water can also attract bugs you don’t want around the home.

3. Avoid Corrosion, the process metal, stone, steal etc. being damaged.

• Check the washing machine connections;
  

  Check your Washing Machine!

  be sure they are not leaking or corroded; otherwise they could burst with no notice.

• Take out the refrigerator and review the ice maker line connection,
  

  Ice Machine Line Connector

  be sure no small dripping is going on. Dripping could cause corrosion at the connection; this is a sign of possible future water damage.

4. Take the money saved from these easy fixes and install a low-flow shower head. By installing a low-flow shower head, homeowners can cut their water use by more than 30 percent.  Benjamin Franklin, The Punctual  Plumber has plenty of shower service options.

5. Although many basic fixes can happen inside the home, don’t forget about the outside. Now is also a good time to check sprinkler systems, including the back-flow device, this will make sure unsafe water is not coming back into your home, to be sure all your water in your home is safe to use. Many times sprinklers are on when no one is watching and drip systems can waste a lot of water when not spraying in the right place or leaking badly while turned on, take time now to watch them and be sure your not wasting money or water.

All Phoenix area Benjamin Franklin Plumbers have been professional trained and certified on water treatment and drinking water needs and systems. We only offer the best options for your water treatment needs, not everyone has the same water or the same need. Mention this blog for a free evaluation of your water treatment and drinking water at your home, this $69.00 value that will expire May 28, 2011 don’t wait contact us today by our real time online booking service or call us at 602-485-1111 24/7.