Whether it be morning coffee, weeknight dinners, kids’ baths or anything in between, homeowners rely on their tap water day in and day out. However, water quality is not always something you can judge at a glance. Even clear, great-tasting water can still carry minerals, metals or other contaminants that are easy to miss until they start impacting your home, body or your peace of mind.*
When it comes to your water, what you can’t see matters just as much as what you can. Many contaminants – including most that could impact your health – have no taste, no smell and no obvious warning signs, which means the only real way to know what’s in your water is to test it.
To help homeowners feel informed and confident, we spoke with Maria Mozdzen, Senior Manager at the Culligan Analytical Lab, about what in-home water testing can reveal, when it’s worth taking a closer look and why understanding your water is a simple step that can make a meaningful difference for your home and your family.
Are there any visible signs that should make a homeowner consider testing their water?
Some of the clearest signs are the ones you can actually see in your glass or around your home. Mozdzen says visual changes are often the most obvious, especially discoloration or sediment collecting at the bottom of a glass, as well as aesthetic changes like taste, smell or odor.
Other common clues can show up in everyday routines, like rust-like staining in sinks or tubs and chalky buildup around faucets. You may also notice issues like dry, tight skin after showering; dishes that still have spots after washing and laundry that feels stiff or has faded color. These issues do not necessarily mean your water is unsafe, but they can signal changes in water quality that may require treatment.
Is it important to test your water even if you don’t see obvious signs of issues?
Yes, says Mozdezen. “Many contaminants can’t be smelled or tasted, so you don’t really know what’s in your water unless you test it.” TRelying on sensory clues alone can create a false sense of security, she says.
What does a Culligan in-home water test check for?
Culligan’s in-home water test typically checks a set of core indicators that help reveal overall water characteristics and common household issues including hardness, pH level, chlorine, total dissolved solids (TDS), hydrogen sulfide and iron. These results can help explain common problems like mineral buildup, spotting on fixtures, or unpleasant tastes and smells.
H2: What can I expect at my water test?
During your water test and consultation, your Culligan water specialist will typically start by asking a few questions about what you have noticed, like buildup on fixtures, dry skin, strange staining, or water that looks or tastes “off,” as well as other concerns you may have. Then they will run a series of water tests that help provide a snapshot of your water quality.
The testing part of your consultation typically takes 30 minutes or less. Mozdzen says that timeframe typically includes both the testing itself and the conversation where results are explained. Your Culligan specialist will walk through the results to help connect the dots between what is in your water and what you may be experiencing around your home. If any result looks especially concerning, if you are dealing with persistent odor issues, or if you want a deeper look for health-related concerns (like lead, arsenic, bacteria, PFAS and more), additional testing through Culligan’s IL EPA-certified lab may be recommended.
How often should homeowners test their water?
Testing frequency depends on the water source. For private wells, testing should be routine because the homeowner is responsible for monitoring safety rather than the city. Mozdzen recommends that private well owners test at least once a year, especially for bacteria and nitrate levels.
Worried about your well water?
For municipal water, water testing is more driven by specific events or concerns. Routine testing is likely not required because municipalities conduct their own testing. However, homeowners often still choose to test (get the details about why below).
If city water is already tested, why would a homeowner still consider testing at home?
Municipal water systems are treated and monitored to meet federal safety standards. However, that testing – and treatment – is focused on health compliance, not necessarily on issues that affect taste, comfort or your home. Mozdzen explains that concerns like chlorine levels, pH balance and hard water minerals may not be harmful, but they can still cause unwanted issues.
Testing at home also gives you a clearer picture of your water quality within your home, as some issues (like lead or copper from older pipes) could be introduced after your water leaves the treatment facility. At the same time, some relatively newer concerns like microplastics, pharmaceuticals and PFAS (often called “forever chemicals”), are still being studied, so they’re not regulated yet—or they may have rules in the works that could take years to go into effect.
As Mozdzen says, “Don’t assume. Test when you can.”
How would a homeowner know whether they need an in-home test or a lab test?
An in-home, professional water test is the first and most important step. It gives homeowners a quick, practical look at common water characteristics and everyday concerns. For most people, this is the right place to start.
Lab testing is recommended when more detailed analysis is needed. That may happen for well water, or if an in-home test shows notably elevated results, or if there are broader concerns not covered by standard testing, like heavy metals, bacteria and other heath-related concerns.
Additionally, lab instruments can typically detect contaminants at much lower levels than most at-home testing. For example, Mozdzen explains that lab equipment can detect lead at extremely small concentrations, while many store-bought test kits only register it at much higher levels.
For many homeowners, it simply comes down to their comfort level, particularly when they realize that even technically acceptable amounts of contaminants may still be present in their water. As one homeowner put it, “If I told you your water has 14 parts per billion of lead– which is technically acceptable–I still wouldn’t want to drink that, and I definitely wouldn’t want to give that water to my kids.”
If a homeowner is choosing a water testing lab, what qualifications should they look for?
Look for third-party certification or accreditation. “If the lab is certified, then you know they’re following the right methods for testing,” Mozdzen says. In the United States, that typically means EPA-approved methods, while in Canada it means meeting recognized federal or provincial standards. Certification helps ensure accuracy, reliability and consistent reporting regardless of where you live.
What should every homeowner know about their water?
Most homeowners think about their water only when something goes wrong, but Mozdzen believes the real value is understanding it before it becomes a problem. “I wish that they all tested and actually knew and understood what’s in their water,” she says.
The good news is that testing is a simple step that can give you clarity, confidence and a smarter path forward. As Mozdzen says, “Testing, educating yourself and protecting your home with the right system is the best approach.”
Don’t guess, test
Ready to take the next step? It’s simple – schedule your free, in-home water test today to find out what your water is really telling you.
*Contaminants may not be present in your water.