FAQ
Common questions, answered clearly.
If you don't see what you're looking for here, reach out — we're happy to walk through anything.
Getting Started
It takes about 10 minutes at your faucet. Run the tap for 30 seconds, use the included test strip and record it right at the tap, then fill each sample bottle to the line and seal everything in the prepaid return mailer. Full step-by-step instructions come with every kit.
No — everything you need is included in the kit, and the instructions are written for someone doing this for the first time. If anything's unclear once your kit arrives, you can always reach out before you collect.
What We Test
Every kit covers 20 parameters across physical clarity, core chemistry, and minerals/metals — things like turbidity, pH, hardness, iron, and fluoride. See the full breakdown on our What We Test page.
It tests for total coliforms, E. coli, and HPC (a biofilm indicator) using the same membrane filtration method used in professional labs. It's most useful if you're curious about a specific tap — like a shower with visible buildup — rather than something everyone needs by default.
We offer two base panels — a Single-Tap Panel and a Whole-Home Panel that compares multiple taps side by side. Additional taps can be added to either for extra cost, and microbiology can be added to any kit, whether single-tap or whole-home.
Not yet — lead testing is on our roadmap as a future add-on, but it isn't available to order right now. We'll update this page once it launches.
Shipping & Sample Care
Drop your sealed kit in any mailbox or at a post office using the prepaid mailer included in your kit. If your kit includes microbiology, ship it Monday through Wednesday so it doesn't sit over a weekend.
Bacteria testing is time-sensitive — a sample that sits in transit over a weekend can no longer be read accurately. Shipping early in the week keeps the sample well within the window that gives you a reliable result.
Yes — every kit is built to keep your sample stable well within the shipping window, so where you're mailing from isn't a barrier to testing.
Results & Trust
About two weeks from when your sample arrives, translated into plain language — what's good, what's worth watching, and what's worth acting on.
No — Pure Clarity Labs is an independent testing service for health awareness and household decision-making, not a state-certified laboratory. Our results aren't intended for regulatory compliance, real estate disclosure, or legal reporting. If you need certified results, we're happy to point you toward an appropriate lab.