Acidic water hurts your health and your plumbing. Check your drinking water's pH balance.

Water covers a majority of the earth’s surface, and it plays a big part in our everyday lives. It's in our cars, food, houses, and bodies. We know water is made of two parts — two parts hydrogen and one part oxygen — but do we know what the pH levels of water mean? 

pH is a measure of a solution on a scale of 0 to 14. A pH of 0 represents the most acidic level, meaning that the substance at hand has more hydrogen ions in it. The opposite end of the scale, a pH of 14, represents the most basic level, meaning that substance has more oxygen ions.

Ideal water pH levels

To put things into perspective, a pH of 7 is neutral. This is the ideal pH for water in our bodies. A pH of 7 means that your solution is as pure as it can get. Battery acid is an example of a pH of 0. Drain cleaner would be a pH of 14. 

Water with a well-balanced pH level is a necessity, both for health and for practical reasons. For example, water with a low pH can negatively affect your plumbing, causing your pipes to deteriorate. In addition, water with a low pH tends to taste and look abnormal.

How to test your water

If your water tastes metallic or has a red or blue tint to it, you could have acidic water. Testing the pH levels of your water at home is a simple task. You can buy small test strips that can be dipped into your water. Depending on the pH level of the water, it will turn a certain color, green typically representing neutral. 

You also have the option of calling in a home water treatment specialist to professional test your water pH level and other issues. If you find that you have acidic water in the home, you may consider purchasing a whole-house water filter, which would neutralize the acids in your water supply.  

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