Water testing kits

Author
Discussion

Tonsko

Original Poster:

6,299 posts

214 months

Saturday 19th April 2014
quotequote all
Hey all,

Has anyone had any experience of using the 'home' test kits or sending samples off? The home test kits are around 15-30 quid apiece, and lab testing seems to start around £100 and go up from there.

Clearly, the lab testing is more thorough, but was just wondering if anyone has used the home test kits, and if they rate them?

Reason being: we live in an old house, and would like to check to see if the water is good or not.

Ta

Fishtigua

9,786 posts

194 months

Saturday 19th April 2014
quotequote all
For less than 30 quid, this might worth a punt.

http://www.simplexhealth.co.uk/simplexhealth-home-...

Turn7

23,501 posts

220 months

Saturday 19th April 2014
quotequote all
Tonsko said:
Hey all,

Has anyone had any experience of using the 'home' test kits or sending samples off? The home test kits are around 15-30 quid apiece, and lab testing seems to start around £100 and go up from there.

Clearly, the lab testing is more thorough, but was just wondering if anyone has used the home test kits, and if they rate them?

Reason being: we live in an old house, and would like to check to see if the water is good or not.

Ta
What are you looking to test for ?
The water companies will suupply a full chemistry reprt via email if that helps.

porridge

1,109 posts

143 months

Saturday 19th April 2014
quotequote all
Ring your water company and they may well do it free, if you have a pipe made of lead from the street then point out that you want to check that this hasn't corroded.

Tonsko

Original Poster:

6,299 posts

214 months

Saturday 19th April 2014
quotequote all
Turn7 said:
What are you looking to test for ?
The water companies will suupply a full chemistry reprt via email if that helps.
I'm being paranoid. My memory is really bad, and mum and dad's is too. Just want to rule out lead in the water etc.

Turn7

23,501 posts

220 months

Saturday 19th April 2014
quotequote all
Tonsko said:
Turn7 said:
What are you looking to test for ?
The water companies will suupply a full chemistry reprt via email if that helps.
I'm being paranoid. My memory is really bad, and mum and dad's is too. Just want to rule out lead in the water etc.
Then Id be speaking to your water supplier....

league67

1,878 posts

202 months

Sunday 20th April 2014
quotequote all
Turn7 said:
Tonsko said:
Turn7 said:
What are you looking to test for ?
The water companies will suupply a full chemistry reprt via email if that helps.
I'm being paranoid. My memory is really bad, and mum and dad's is too. Just want to rule out lead in the water etc.
Then Id be speaking to your water supplier....
Turn7 is correct. We moved to Daventryshire* earlier this year and Anglian Water was more than happy to provide very detailed reports. Doubt that even lab test will be as extensive.

LooneyTunes

6,781 posts

157 months

Sunday 20th April 2014
quotequote all
Tonsko said:
Just want to rule out lead in the water etc.
I would be surprised if there was much (any?) water company lead piping around these days. If you've got lead in your domestic system then think about how long the water is actually in contact with it for (it really won't be long especially if only the inbound feed is lead).

Used to have lead in one of my old places and just used to run it for a short while after holidays, but in normal routine you'll be drawing through fresh water on an ongoing basis with the result that the water is unlikely to be in the pipework long enough to see any transfer.

By all means test if it puts your mind at rest, but doubt it'll come back as being an issue.

Tonsko

Original Poster:

6,299 posts

214 months

Sunday 20th April 2014
quotequote all
True, I'd not thought of it like that.

Thanks for the suggestions all!

Marty63

2,347 posts

173 months

Sunday 20th April 2014
quotequote all
we had our water tested by the local water company at our request, they have to test it if asked at their cost.

we were advised by a doctor to do this as i was showing signs of lead poison.

tests came back with high levels of leads in water.

our property is 1950's ex council.

we replaced the 25m run from main to property stop cock.


this is why years ago the water co's changed their responsibility of maintaining the pipe all the way onto property to stop cock to the property boundary line. it would cost them to much to replace all lead pipe or pay out compen.

pretty much all the older council estates still have lead piping.

Simpo Two

85,148 posts

264 months

Sunday 20th April 2014
quotequote all
Interesting; when was lead stopped?

Tonsko

Original Poster:

6,299 posts

214 months

Sunday 20th April 2014
quotequote all
Is the water company required to test at your tap if requested??

Marty63

2,347 posts

173 months

Sunday 20th April 2014
quotequote all
Simpo Two said:
Interesting; when was lead stopped?
1970

http://dwi.defra.gov.uk/consumers/advice-leaflets/...


Simpo Two

85,148 posts

264 months

Sunday 20th April 2014
quotequote all
Thanks; at 1988 I should be OK. Just don't look at 'lead poisoning symptoms' because you'll have all them!

Tonsko

Original Poster:

6,299 posts

214 months

Sunday 20th April 2014
quotequote all
Simpo Two said:
Thanks; at 1988 I should be OK. Just don't look at 'lead poisoning symptoms' because you'll have all them!
So true! Last time I checked, I had yellow fever and malaria.