If the quality of your tap water is something that concerns you and you suspect that it might be positive for some contaminants, then you should consider getting a TDS meter. When it comes to TDS meters, they do not measure the contaminants in the drinking water but rather detect the total amount of total solids dissolved in the water. This gadget is simple to use and inexpensive. They are affordable and cost less than $10/£10 on the market. Here are the things you should know about TDS meters.
What is a TDS Meter?
TDS stands for Total Dissolved Solids and this mainly refers to the dissolved solids in the water which include minerals. The constant presence of these minerals can build up some scale which can shorten the lifespan of your pipes and appliances.
A device used to indicate the amounts of the Total Dissolved Solids is the TDS meter. It is a small hand-sized device measuring the conductivity of the solution and estimating the TDS index from these readings.
TDS meters can be referred to as testers and their price can vary based on the levels of accuracy and some other features. For instance, some TDS meter models can measure not only the index of dissolved solids but salinity, temperature, and some other features.
If you still find yourself confused about the TDS application, you can find more information available at https://waterfilterguru.com/what-is-a-tds-meter/ where you can see all the details explained.
TDS meters have a specific purpose and if you need more complex measurements related to the quality of your water different there are many other models out there offering additional options – so it is really up to you to decide which ones are necessary for you at a certain moment.
What Is the Purpose of Measuring TDS?
Increased TDS can shorten the lifespan of your pipes and appliances. This occurs as a result of the minerals in the water.
By knowing the TDS level, you can act accordingly by inserting devices that will regulate the pH of water. Namely, if the pH levels are increased, then the levels of minerals are increased as well.
Conditioners may transform the scale buildup into harmless crystals that do not accumulate over time. Water with an increased minerals index can create some plumbing problems and stains on the surfaces exposed to water. This is the reason why you need to get a water conditioner. With the conditioner, you will reduce some plumbing problems, decrease spots and stains and increase the lifespan of clothing without using any chemicals.
What Does TDS Not Measure?
TDS does not measure contaminants. It will not give you information on whether your water is healthy or not.
TDS meter will give you the information on the total amount of dissolved solids in the water. Sometimes, the TDS index might be high but this does not mean that the water is toxic or contaminated with some particles that can be harmful. Healthy materials like magnesium, potassium, and calcium can make TDS meter levels rocket.
On the other hand, the TDS meters may be low and there are still some contaminants present. Tap water can contain some toxic particles like pesticides, heavy metals like lead, and pharmaceuticals.
This is why, whether determining water quality or understanding how many dissolved solids are present in your water and how dangerous they are, you should not depend just on TDS measurements.
Does a High TDS Readings Indicate That You Need a Water Filter?
As mentioned previously, high TDS measures are just the total quantitative measures of the dissolved solids in your tap water. These are not the qualitative measures indicating that something is off with your water’s quality.
A high TDS measure can determine that you should get a water conditioner that will prevent a scale buildup which can shorten the lifespan of your pipes and appliances, but these measures are not the only ones you should take into consideration if you want to get a filter.
If you feel like getting a water filter is a good idea, then you need to conduct a detailed water quality analysis. If there are any contaminants in your tap water, then you should consult a professional on which one is the best choice.
Tap water can be exposed to contaminants and, naturally, we want to ensure that it is safe for our family. By using the TDS measures, we can see that there is a high or low index of dissolved solids, however, it does not show any detailed measures on water quality.
Author bio:
Allen Brown is a keen writer covering topics such as health, travel, beauty and such. He enjoys spending time playing the drums in his past time.
