DIY Water Testing Kits vs. Professional Well Testing: Which Is Better?

Well water cannot be trusted blindly, especially if you have small children at home. There is a high chance of your well water being contaminated, and drinking it can make your family sick. 

To know better, you can get your water tested, and there are two ways to do it. You can use DIY test kits, which are easy to use and promise quick answers, or you can go for professional testing methods. 

But the real question is, which one is the best way? Well, skip the guesswork, we’ll give you a clear picture of it in this blog.

How Does A DIY Water Testing Kit Work?

You’ll have a variety of test kits available online or in stores, and you can grab the one that can detect a particular contaminant in your home’s well water. So, the prices will vary as per the test that these kits will do, easy, right? They’ll detect different kinds of impurities like:

• Bacteria,
• Nitrates,
• pH/alkalinity,
• Heavy Metals,
• Chlorine,
• Pesticides, and so on.

The process of using it is also simple. All you gotta do is read the instruction manual for the test and just turn on the faucet for about 10-20 seconds before you collect the samples and then test it as per the instructions. You might have to wait a few minutes to get the results, and that’s it! 

Can You Rely on a DIY Water Testing Kit?

The short answer is you should not. While you might get them online easily or even at your hardware stores (we know you’ll be tempted to), this is not a reliable solution. But this is not just our opinion, it’s what the facts tell us. We’ll give you a complete picture, the advantages and the disadvantages, so you can decide for yourself!

Pros:

• Affordable: You’ll just have to pay $10-$40, and you’ll get the kit of your choice.
• Convenience: No need to depend on anyone for the service, you can just buy it yourself and test it at your own convenience.
• Fast Results: All you have to do is wait for a few minutes for the results, and then you can take the next step (if needed) immediately.

Cons:

• Limited Accuracy: DIY tests are way less accurate than lab testing. You might get false results even after multiple tests. So, why take such risks in the first place?
• Limited Testing Scope: DIY test kits can’t test for all types of bacteria and heavy metals. They are only suitable for detecting 5-10 common issues. 
• User Error: Your results will depend on whether you’ve collected your samples correctly. So, there’s a high chance of misleading results if you’re not careful with the test. For instance, if you have chlorine gas in your tap water, it’ll have a high chance of evaporating before you can collect it, so you’ll have to cap the container right away once you get the sample. If not done correctly, your test results will be incorrect!
• No Professional Guidance: Even in some cases when you get an accurate result, how will you know what it means without professional help? Sadly, in this aspect, you might be on your own!
• Chances of Sample Contamination: Water samples can easily get contaminated! If the container comes in contact with your kitchen sink fixtures or your hands (both can contain bacteria), it can give incorrect results.

We know that any water testing is better than no water testing. But the question is, are you willing to rely on unreliable and cheap tests that can risk your health and the safety of you and your loved ones? If your answer is no, then you can opt for a different solution!

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Why You Should Always Go For Professional Well-Testing

For well water testing, hiring professional service providers is your clear choice! This means you’re relying on licensed experts who use certified labs to test the well water. Plus, professionals can also help you with water well pump testing to make sure everything is working correctly. While this method is a bit costlier and can make you wait longer for the test analysis, the results will always be reliable and accurate!

• Comprehensive Testing: You can test your well water for any type of bacteria, metals, pH, and several other contaminants. You will face no limitations on the type of tests you can do for your well water.
• Accurate Results: A professional expert can collect water samples correctly from your well and send them to certified labs for advanced testing methods. This way, you can rest assured that the results will always be reliable and accurate. 
• Expert Interpretation: When you hire pros for the job, you can expect to learn about the potential risks and fixes for your well’s condition. Plus, they can recommend multiple effective solutions if more problems are found.
• Pump Performance Testing: A professional expert can do well inspections and water well pump testing to ensure the whole system is working efficiently and reliably.
• Regulatory Compliance and Peace of Mind: If you want your property’s well water to meet state or local water quality standards, professional testing guarantees your water meets all the requirements. So, you can relax and enjoy contaminant-free and healthy water every day!

So, if you’re looking for well-water testing, only look for professional services!

Why Well-Water Testing is Important?

Water well testing in Winnemucca is something you shouldn’t ignore at any cost. Well water isn’t regulated by the government like city water is. So, if you own a private well, this might be bad news for you, as it’s up to you to ensure your home’s well water is safe to drink and use. That’s where regular testing can help you out! It ensures:

 

• Your well water is free of bacteria such as E. coli, as these can cause health problems like diarrhea, nausea, stomach problems, etc.
• The well has no nitrates, which are toxic to infants and pregnant women.
• Your home’s well water’s pH levels are good and do not impact the taste or pipes.
• There are no heavy metals such as lead or arsenic, as long-term exposure to these metals can cause kidney, liver, lung, and heart diseases. 
• You can monitor your water well pump system’s performance.
• You aren’t unknowingly drinking contaminated water that can cause bacterial infections, digestive problems, and so on.

You don’t have to get intimidated by these potential problems, as you can easily avoid them! For that, you just have to make sure your home’s well water is appropriately tested using the proper methods by a professional service provider!

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Takeaway

Using a DIY water testing kit to look for contaminants in your property’s well water is not the right choice, trust us! This method can give you false reports, won’t be able to test different types of contaminants, and can be very prone to user errors. So, instead, you can opt for professional water well testing in Winnemucca! This way, you can get accurate and reliable results from certified labs, expert guidance, and complete peace of mind.

Don’t Risk Your Health By Using Unsafe Water! Call Bruce Mackay Pump & Well Service For Well Water Testing!

Are you looking to test your property’s well water? No need to delay it anymore! Bruce Mackay Pump & Well Service is here to offer certified water system audits, flow tests, and water quality testing for your property’s well water. We also perform water well pump testing in Winnemucca.

With our routine inspection of your well system, you can prolong its lifespan and ensure you’re always drinking healthy and germ-free water! We’ve been serving our customers since 1981 and have all the necessary tools to offer you excellent services no matter what. 

You can connect with us whenever you want, as we provide 24/7 emergency services to our customers. So, if you need emergency water well testing, contact us without hesitation at 775-623-4203!