Water quality FAQ
Your water questions, answered
Straightforward answers about hard water, iron, filtration, reverse osmosis, testing and maintenance — so you can make an informed decision about your home's water.
Why does my home have hard water?
Hard water contains dissolved minerals such as calcium and magnesium that it picks up as it moves through rock and soil. It can leave scale on fixtures and inside appliances, reduce soap lathering, and shorten the life of water heaters and plumbing. A water softener treats hardness so you get softer water throughout the home.
What's the difference between a softener and a filter?
A water softener specifically targets hardness minerals to prevent scale and protect plumbing and appliances. A whole-home filter, such as a catalytic carbon media filter, reduces contaminants, chlorine taste and odor. Many homes benefit from both working together, which is why systems are matched to your water test results.
Why is there iron or staining in my water?
Iron is common in well water and can cause reddish or brown staining on fixtures and laundry, along with a metallic taste. A dedicated iron filter is designed to remove iron and address this kind of problem water that standard filtration may not fully handle.
What does a reverse osmosis system do?
An under-sink reverse osmosis (RO) system polishes drinking and cooking water by passing it through a fine membrane, producing cleaner, better-tasting water at the kitchen tap. It's a point-of-use solution that complements whole-home filtration and softening.
How do I know which system I need?
It starts with a free in-home water test. The results show your home's actual water chemistry — hardness, iron, chlorine, contaminants and taste issues — so the right combination of filtration, softening and drinking-water stages can be recommended.
Do the systems require maintenance?
Water treatment systems generally need periodic upkeep, such as replacing filter media or membranes and maintaining softener regeneration. Systems are installed by WQA-certified technicians and backed by ongoing service support so maintenance stays straightforward.
Is the equipment under warranty?
The Brita PRO systems we install are covered by the manufacturer's warranty. Combined with WQA-certified installation, this helps protect your investment in clean water. Specific warranty terms are confirmed at the time of consultation.
Which areas do you serve?
Purify Water Filtration is based at 23 Upton Street in Peabody, Massachusetts, and serves homeowners across Greater Boston and the wider New England area. You can reach us at (781) 716-5990 or [email protected].
Can a system be customized for my home?
Yes. When standard configurations aren't enough, treatment stages can be combined and custom-built around your specific water test results and household needs.