
Understanding Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) in Your Home’s Water Supply
We’ve all heard of “hard water.” Most homeowners consider it a mild annoyance. But your home’s water hardness can make a huge difference, from the taste of your tap water to the longevity of your plumbing system and appliances. That’s why it’s so important to understand the level of Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) in your home’s water system.
As part of every plumbing visit, our Goettl technicians measure your water’s total dissolved solids level to gain a better picture of your plumbing’s overall health. Understanding the problems associated with hard water, what TDS levels are, how and why we test for them, and what average and ideal TDS levels are for your household.
What are Total Dissolved Solids (TDS)?
Total dissolved solids (TDS) is the measure of how many minerals, metals, and salts are present in your household’s tap water. In other words, it’s a measure of how “hard” your water is. The higher the concentration of TDS, the harder your water is.
As water moves through soil and rock, it can pick up certain minerals, salts, and metals along the way. Naturally occurring minerals like calcium and magnesium are easily dissolved by flowing water. Other sources like agricultural run-off, industrial or petrochemical pollutants, or salt used to de-ice roads are also absorbed into the water as it passes.
All these particulates are carried through into the groundwater supply, which is then drawn from to provide tap water for households. When enough of these minerals are dissolved into your water supply, leading to a high concentration of TDS, you’ll start to notice that you have “hard water” due to certain problems that will arise.
Hard Water Problems
Even without measuring the total dissolved solid levels in your household water supply, there are certain signs that will tell you if you have hard water. Some signs that you have hard water include:
- A mineral or metallic taste in your tap water.
- Stubborn stains in laundry.
- Crusty, white mineral buildup around you faucets and drains.
- A thick film of soap scum on the walls of your shower or tub.
- Spotting or a film on your glassware coming out of the dishwasher.
- A residue left on your skin or hair when you wash that causes dryness.
While these are all annoying issues to deal with, hard water problems don’t stop at extra clean up and extra moisturizing.

High TDS levels can also cause significant issues with your pipes and home appliances that can shorten the lifespan of both and lead to serious plumbing issues. High TDS levels cause mineral build up and corrosion, which over time can:
- Clog water supply and drain lines.
- Damage pipes, electrical components, fixtures, and gaskets.
- Build up on internal components, like heating coils or dishwasher arms.
In other words, any household appliance that uses water, such as your dishwasher, washing machine, or water heater, will need repair or replacement sooner in a house with a high concentration of total dissolved solids.
The same goes for your household plumbing system, including your sewer lines. This leads to more frequent plumbing repair calls, which can really add up in terms of time, hassle, and expense.
Ensuring water quality is an essential part of providing the best service for Goettl’s customers, which is why we always are a carry a Total Dissolved Solids meter, and measure TDS levels as part of any plumbing visit. Knowing the concentration of total dissolved solids in your household water gives Goettl’s technicians a better idea of what issues to look for on a plumbing call so that we can serve you better. We’ll also get some insight into what plumbing problems may arise on future calls and how to prevent them.
How TDS Levels Are Measured
Measuring the levels of total dissolved solids in your household tap water is done with a device known as a TDS meter.
A handheld TDS meter like the ones we use at Goettl on every plumbing call measures the electrical conductivity of your household tap water in order to determine the concentration of total dissolved solids.
Unlike pure water, which is a poor conductor, dissolved solids carry a certain electrical charge. Thus, a higher electrical charge in the tap water means a higher TDS level. Besides measuring your tap water’s TDS level as part of every plumbing call we go on, we also test your water’s purity to ensure there are no harmful contaminants in your drinking water that may affect your health.
What are Average TDS Levels?
The concentration of total dissolved solids in your tap water plays a crucial role in both your water’s taste, and its quality. The higher the concentration of TDS, the greater the water hardness issues mentioned previously.
The average TDS level in the United States’ drinking water supply is about 350 ppm (parts per million.) In general, the EPA recommends that you stay below 500 ppm in your tap water. However, a higher TDS level isn’t necessarily dangerous for your health. Las Vegas, for example, has a TDS level of 642 ppm.
Anything above 500 ppm will have an effect on the water’s taste, and will shorten the lifespan of your pipes and appliances.
If we find that you have higher-than-average TDS levels, we may recommend scheduling a routine plumbing maintenance visit. Our technicians will perform a thorough inspection to check the health of your plumbing, sewer, and appliances.
We’ll make sure that mineral buildup from hard water isn’t blocking your water lines or causing damage to delicate internal components in your water heater, dishwasher, or washing machine. If they are, we can clear those out so that your pipes and appliances don’t have to be repaired or replaced prematurely. We’re also happy to answer any questions you have. Ensuring water quality is an essential part of providing the best service for Goettl’s customers. That’s why we incorporate TDS measurements and water purity test kits on every plumbing call.
How to Solve Hard Water Problems
If your household tap water has high TDS levels, the best way to lower them is to install a Reverse Osmosis system. A reverse osmosis system is one of the most effective water filtration systems. It significantly reduces your TDS levels by using pressure to filter minerals, salts, and other contaminants out of your tap water through a micron filter. This leaves only pure water flowing through your household pipes and faucets.
A reverse osmosis system installed in your house can lower your TDS levels to under 50 ppm, and sometimes even as low as 20 ppm. That means cleaner glassware, better tasting tap water, and increased longevity and functionality for your household pipes and appliances. If you’re considering installing a reverse osmosis system for your home, call Goettl for a free consultation. We offer upfront, flexible pricing and a 100% satisfaction guarantee on all our work.
Whether you need help with a household plumbing issue, routine plumbing maintenance on your pipes and fixtures, or 24/7 emergency plumbing repair, we’re always a phone call away. When it comes to your household plumbing, don’t settle. Call Goettl.
Testimonials
What Our Customers Say About Us









4-3-23 Jacob came out to take a look and did some tweaks without me even having to say anything. Love these dudes Ken ❤️
4-11-24
I had a concern with water draining all over my back yard which was irregular. When I called Goettl they had someone out in less than 24 hours. Matt and Kayden came out to help determine the issue and within less than 30 minutes determined a copper elbow had to be replaced. They were professional as always and were able to answer my questions and concerns. Another great experience! Thank you Goettl for providing quality care every time!
4-24-25
Freddie stopped by for A/C inspection and cleaning. He was very professional and thorough. Thank you for the great service!
4-25-25
Levi stopped by for our yearly plumbing inspection. He answered all my questions and helped determine other options with a concern we had with one of the pipes busting on our flat roof. We spent a lot of money getting our house new equipment with Goettl and with any major changes there can be hickups, but every step of the way Goettl has offered reasonable resolutions and takes ownership of making things right. Thank you for your dedication to doing things right
1-15-26 Frank did great today. Servicing our heater unit. He was friendly and insightful and thorough. Couldn't have asked for a better tech! Ty Frank 😊





Nov 05 2025: Seasonal maintanence checkup and this go around I got Adam. Not one bit less experienced. I was given heads up of his arrive. He came, performed his maintenence inside and out and at the end provide his assessment alone with photos. Goettl techs don't come in and leave in 15 minutes, they are through in what they do. Great job Adam.
Nov 22 2024: Seasonal maintanence check and I once again was fortunate to get Jacobi again. He is a well thorough service tech. Everything went smooth and he explained what he saw and did. A+++++
Mar 25 2024: My service tech's name is Jacobi. He is a very knowledable individual. He mentioned he does maintenance and installation. I was due a routine maintenance but for this call my furance wasn't turning on. He diagnosed and explained it was the blower. Very pleased with his work.
Aug 27 2020: Jeremy did a great job.Called when he was heading over. Cleaned out the dripping pan and cleaned out the drain pipe. Wore his mask while he was inside my house.
Great, fast service even on July 4 2018. Tony was my service tech. He diagnosed and got me up and running ASAP.

Thank you for your excellent service Ivan!







Devin performed my plumbing inspection. He is knowledgeable and courteous.


What truly stood out was his attention to safety. He identified a carbon monoxide concern in our home and made sure we understood how serious and dangerous it could be. José explained the risks in a calm, respectful way and ensured we knew what steps to take to keep our family safe.
His professionalism, knowledge, and genuine care went above and beyond. We are incredibly grateful for his honesty and dedication, and we highly recommend José Carreon to anyone needing HVAC service.
Thank you , Goettl for hiring the best technicians!






















Jesus was terrific, thorough, and personable. Made everything so easy for me.
I just had my second yearly inspection with Francesco Tocci. I cannot say enough good things about him. He is prompt, professional, personable, and takes the time to explain his findings to me and what he will do about them. Now, in fairness, all of the technicians from Goettl are great. But Francesco stands out because of his gregariousness. It is obvious that he loves his work and truly cares that his clients are happy with the job he does.





We installed a new AC unit...we got a best price...and the same day day they show up, and 9 hours later...the new ac was on working. Well we have had scheduled an appointment for today for AC mentanance....the technician Kevin Schroeder show up on time...he was very professional, very knowledgeable...polite..and permanently he try to assure us about everything . Such a great person, and a joy to be in our house . Strongly recommend Goettl company, and it's a pleasure to recommend this technician ! Great job Kevin 👏







I initially had a rocky start with one particular representative, but the Goettl team stepped up and made it right, which says a lot about their integrity as a company. Billy did an outstanding job and made sure my system was safe, fully operational, and gave me real peace of mind.
Thank you to management, Josh and Josue, for personally ensuring the job was completed to my satisfaction.





What stood out the most was their attention to detail and genuine care for customer satisfaction. They took the time to assess my system thoroughly, offered honest recommendations, and completed the work efficiently without cutting corners. My home is now noticeably more comfortable, and I feel confident knowing everything was handled by true professionals.
If you’re looking for reliable, top-quality HVAC service, I highly recommend Goettl. They truly live up to their reputation and exceeded my expectations in every way. Thank you Jose Carreon

Isaias was wonderful! He was professional, approachable, knowledgeable, kind, and timely. I highly recommend him!

Thank you
Dave and Kathy Halvorson





Nick, Julian, and Josh were at my home for four days. They did a meticulous job, cleaning up every day with no debris left. They were responsive to my questions and took pride in their work. They explained the work to be done in great detail.
The work team was terrific, and I would have no hesitation in using them again or recommending them.



Did a great job. Answered all of my questions and showed me how to take care of my equipment. They talked to me not at me. Thank you both of you.
Patty 🤗🌷🌵



And no, they didn't "invent" a problem. They solved it.









Update on 1/10: Ashton was very helpful and informative. He did a good job and gave good communication!


Ashton was a great tech. Jumped right into the maintenance check ensuring our systems were up and running as should be. Following his tune up and inspection, Ashton thoroughly went over all his findings before cleaning up.
Nate is a fantastic Goettl tech. Came out to fix one problem but quickly realized the diagnosis was not correct. Stayed at our house, relentlessly working to figure out the issue all while in a house with no A/C, registering indoor well above 90. Thanks to Nate, David and Goettle for getting us back up and running and taking care of us and making the invoice total right. Great customer service in this experience.
12/21/24
Jeremy was fantastic. They were able to get us in earlier than scheduled. He remembered the house and was able to due the maintenance tune up and test the system in no time. Great experience.
12/26/24
Francesco is a top notch plumber. On time and got right to work. Did all his inspections and was in and out in no time. Stuck around after his inspection to talk about what he found and made some minor recommendations. Awesome experience.














Julian and his team (Joey, Jeran, and Alonso) are extremely knowledgeable, efficient, and worked hard to get us back up and running as quickly as possible. Upon completion they send a detailed email with pictures.





Thank you!




I am very satisfied with my Goettle services, their employees, including the scheduling staff, and highly recommend this company.

Goettl plumbing supervisor, Craig Cooper, arrived to survey the problem. Craig determined the valve had been incorrectly installed during the previous water system installation. Craig immediately contacted water mitigation supsrvisor, Ethan Gray at Quick Restore LLC.
Craig coordinated with Ethan the construction, drying of walls/carpet and services for the boxing and storage of our personal property. The reconstruction and repair work was done professionally and in an outstanding time frame for me to undergo major spinal surgery.
I wish to thank Craig for his outstanding integtity and attention to detail for this undertaking. He arranged for Goettl to cover all the costs involved for the work, boxing, moving, storage and water mitigation.
We are so very grateful to Goettl for their wonderful work ethic, technicians and supervisors. We absolutely continue to use and wholeheartedly endorse Goettl for all our AC and plumbing services! Thank, you again Craig!




Parker was very pleasant, knowledgeable and respectful of us and our home.
You’ll be in good hands with Parker and Goettl







Update: I accepted your proposal and wow, three days later my house has heat and air. Installation time was a little over five hours with breaks, and all the time your crew worked efficiently and professionally. Nothing left undone. A big THANK YOU for you guys.
Update2: Goetti set up the building permit appointment with the county, and attended the inspection, which past with no issues. Other companies that I have dealt with have not done so much. Furthermore, I did get multiple estimates, and all the other companies had convenient add-on's which proved by the inspection were a unnecessary expense, thus making Geotti price the lowest and most honest of them all. By the way, the heater and a/c have work to perfection and are both very quiet.
Follow up: A home inspection showed a small issue with my new furnace, so I called Goettl. Next day service and they determined there was an issue with the furnace they installed. Two days later (Christmas Eve) a brand-new furnace was installed. No debate, new questions asked, no cost to me, they insisted. This was quit the contrast to what I experience with other HVAC companies I have dealt with in my forty years in Reno.





A short history. A few years ago, we had four seasons put in a new furnace. After checking around and getting tons of estimates, there was as much as a $10,000 difference between all of the estimates. Four seasons came in at the best price. Unfortunately, I ordered an 80,000 BTU furnace and when the guy was done, I looked at the furnace and saw that it was a 60,000 BTU. I showed the guy the invoice and basically his response was ‘ Oh crap’ so I talk to the manager and he assured me that 60,000 BTU would heat my home sufficiently since it was a high-efficiency unit.
I was ready to have them tear it out and put the right one in, when the manager guaranteed the furnace and gave me the price for the 60 KBTU with a substantial discount. I did the regular maintenance and service service with four seasons.
When Goettl took over, I’m not sure if they just change the name, or bought four seasons, but everything changed after that. First I was informed of a membership called Sadie which is basically a yearly/monthly fee that allows us to get a lot of benefits. Free service calls, free, free preventative maintenance and discounts on non-covered items.
The first thing that I noticed was Josh came in to do a service, check the pressure and saw that the original installation guy did not convert my furnace to propane. Apparently none of the other service people ever checked the pressure. He had to return with the correct parts and changed out the valve. He also helped me out with a bathroom heating duct that was ripped. The price was great and he said he felt bad that we had such issues with the previous company.
A few months later (last Saturday) we stopped getting heat. I called Goettl let them know, and they were at my house within two hours. When it’s freezing outside or going to be subzero it’s really important when they respond so quickly.
Chris was the technician and he found the problem, however, the plumbing supply company was not open till Monday morning. Two days with sub, freezing temperatures scaring me a bit. Chris said that he would check with Dispatch and see if they had a couple of space heaters. When he was leaving, he noticed we had a bunch of firewood on the front and he offered to help bring firewood in. I told him no problem we had it, he said he was happy to help us. Make sure we had enough firewood to get through two days.
These two offers, were above and beyond in something you really wouldn’t expect from your HVAC people. Unfortunately, they didn’t have any space heaters at Dispatch, so we went to Home Depot and got some radiator heaters and then yes 24 hours a day kept a fire going.
Chris showed up Monday about 11 AM with the parts and it took him about 2 1/2 to 3 hours to fix all of the problems. I’m not savvy with all of the HVAC terms, but something about condensate water bill backed up through the system blah blah blah… we now have heat. lol.
Getting the Sadie member membership/club was the best thing we decided to do. They call us regularly to schedule our summer and winter maintenance. They are responsive. And they are very polite every time I call them.
I really would recommend you contacting them and get on that membership before you actually need them. Thank you, Josh and chris and unfortunately, I cannot remember the name of the female technician that came out and changed our filters but she was awesome also!






Like most people, I typically search for the cheapest service I can find, and I end up having other plumbers come out to check out issues with my tankless water heater, who run their mouths, upsell parts (that don't seem to be causing the problem), and generally don't really know enough about tankless water heaters. This time, I decided to go with an experienced company with a good reputation, and I am glad that I did - Goettl's prices are very reasonable and worth the service they provide.
Juan, was very knowledgeable, patient, and persistent. Even better, he was careful and humble enough to acknowledge that he didn't know everything and checked with the manufacturer at every step. Juan spent a great deal of time helping me diagnose the problem (which always seems impossible to ascertain quickly with machines like tankless water heaters), and went above and beyond to ensure that my guests and I had hot water tonight.
Juan never got frustrated; he handled everything carefully and made sure to clean up after himself when he was done. If I can have Juan take care of all of my plumbing or AC issues in the future, I will. And if you're reading reviews to decide whether to call Goettl for your issue, I would encourage you to trust their service and experience. My experience with Juan was definitely memorable.
We now have hot water again. Can I get a "hell yeah"?


We had a concerning plumbing issue, and Geo was able to diagnose the problem with impressive speed and accuracy. What I really appreciated was that he took the time to clearly explain what was wrong, showed me what he was looking at, and gave me honest, practical advice on the best solution.
He had the issue resolved in no time at all. The whole experience was seamless, from the quick scheduling to the efficient and high-quality work. It’s so refreshing to find a technician who is not only a master of his craft but also a genuinely kind and trustworthy person.
A huge thank you to Geo and the entire team at Goettl. You have a customer for life! If you need a plumber, ask for Geo—you’ll be in the best hands






I have seen Goettl vans all over town and so I called them.
Got appointment right away and the Technician, Jef Eusepi, took care of our problem.









Thank you,
Greg Sanches





















This past week our service technician was Andrew Morgan and he is such a friendly, knowledgeable, and skilled technician. He spent time making sure the job was done correctly and he explained it in terms that I could understand. Not only is our unit functioning even better than before, I also gained knowledge of how the system works.











I highly recommend Goettl as this is the second time l've used them in less than a year. (2 seperate issues)... and I highly recommend them..anytime and anyday.
They have exceeded to top any expectations I could have ever had with any company.






The company is installing a tankless heater and the customer service is outstanding.
I recommend Geottl to all!


They made sure my carpet was covered and when they were all through they cleaned up perfectly
I would recommend your company to anyone looking to put in a new air conditioner.
Thank you so much for all you did for me.
Sincerely, June Jones

And I would highly recommend the company and the quality technicians like Jarod.
Jarod is the go to if you want excellent
Customer service and communication for any AC related issues. He is very knowledgeable, personable and trustworthy. I am grateful and satisfied.





They listened to my issue, were very through, checked for leaks, etc. I’ve lived in Lakeway for 30 years, used MANY local plumbers - but Goettl will definitely get all my business moving forward. HIGHLY recommend!
Ty, Wil & Adrian!
