Traditionally, water testing kits are divided into two categories: DIY and laboratory test kits. Combo kits are designed to bridge the gap between these by giving you the speed and affordability of DIY testing, with the option of laboratory testing later for an additional fee.

A Safe Home Combo Test Kit is a DIY water test kit that also includes the supplies needed to optionally send a water sample to our EPA-Certified Laboratory for additional testing later. Laboratory testing is not included in the price of the kit and requires an additional fee.

What defines a Safe Home Combo Test Kit?

Whenever you see a Combo Test Kit on the Safe Home website, it means it’s a DIY Test Kit with the option of laboratory testing in the future. It includes everything you need to perform the DIY water testing that you are purchasing, but it also includes a free “bonus enclosure” that has everything you need to ship a sample to our EPA-Certified Laboratory for testing later.

The laboratory testing is completely optional. You can purchase and use the Combo Test Kit for DIY testing without ever sending a sample to our laboratory.

What’s included in a Safe Home Combo Test Kit?

• DIY Test Kit
• Bonus Enclosure for optional lab testing
  • Chain of Custody for optional lab testing
  • QR Code for online registration of your lab sample
  • Sample collection pouch

The laboratory testing itself is not included with the Combo Test Kit. If you decide to send a sample to our laboratory, you will select and pay for the laboratory testing you want when you register your sample.

How do you register your optional laboratory sample?

Once you’ve performed your DIY test kit and decided to follow up with additional lab testing, it will only require a few additional steps.

1. Scan the QR code to register your sample.
2. Fill out the paper Chain of Custody.
3. Collect your water sample in the provided pouch.
4. Ship the sample to our laboratory for testing.

Why choose a combo kit?

The Combo Kit is designed for homeowners who want a way to easily and affordably test their water with a DIY Test Kit but are concerned that they may need additional testing later on.

The Combo Kit gives you the flexibility to start with DIY testing and decide later if you want laboratory testing. You do not have to send a sample to the laboratory after completing the DIY test.

The bonus pouch and materials for optional lab testing don’t add any additional cost to the kit for the end user. They simply give you more flexibility and increase the value of the kit.

Why would you need additional testing?

There are two primary reasons you would want additional testing after performing a DIY water test kit: confirmation testing and testing for additional parameters.

Confirmation Testing

If you have a positive result from a DIY test kit, such as arsenic or lead, you may want to have your water tested by a laboratory to confirm the result before making decisions about filtration systems or plumbing work.

Filtration systems or plumbing work can be expensive if you must have them done to your home. Before you spend hundreds or thousands of dollars on having work done, you should have the laboratory test your water to confirm the results.

Our EPA-Certified laboratory puts all samples through a rigorous QC process and will give you exact concentration of what’s in your water.

Laboratory testing is also useful if you get a positive result and want to document the contamination for someone like a landlord or apartment manager. The laboratory test removes user error from the DIY testing process and gives you a report that you can show to others with higher confidence.

Here, DIY testing gives you a way to screen on a budget, and then you can get the documentation with additional laboratory testing if needed.

Testing Additional Parameters

Another benefit of the Combo Test Kit is the ability to test additional parameters. If you receive a positive test result on a DIY Test Kit, you may now want more information about your water to show to a filtration professional to help make a decision.

When you register a Combo Kit, you will have several options for what parameters you want tested. This ranges from a single parameter up to 48 parameters. This can give you the ability to see if there are any other concerns or compounding factors in your water.

For example, if you have high levels of lead in your water, you may want to test to see if there are additional heavy metals. Or, you may want to check to see if your water is aggressive or acidic and causing it to leach metals into your water.

This can give you a more complete picture of what is happening in your water if a DIY test raises concerns.

When should you use a laboratory test kit instead of a combo kit?

There are cases when purchasing an In-Lab Test Kit instead of a Combo Kit makes sense. The Safe Home In-Lab Test Kits test some parameters that the Combo Kits do not, such as PFAS and VOCs.

If you already know that you want to have your water tested in our laboratory instead of performing a DIY test, it will also be slightly more affordable to start with an In-Lab Test Kit instead of a Combo Kit. This is because you are only paying for the laboratory testing and not also paying for the DIY testing mechanisms.

FAQ

What is a Safe Home Combo Test Kit?

A Safe Home Combo Test Kit is a DIY water test kit that includes a bonus enclosure with the supplies needed to optionally send a water sample to our EPA-Certified Laboratory for additional testing. The laboratory testing is optional and requires an additional fee.

Does a Combo Test Kit include laboratory testing?

No. The Combo Test Kit includes the DIY testing components and the materials needed to submit a sample for optional laboratory testing. Laboratory testing itself requires an additional fee.

Do I have to send my sample to the laboratory after using the DIY test?

No. Laboratory testing is completely optional. You can use the DIY Test Kit and keep the bonus enclosure without ever sending a sample to our laboratory.

Why would I send my sample to the laboratory?

There are two primary reasons to send your sample to the laboratory after using a DIY test: to confirm a concerning DIY result or to test additional parameters.

Laboratory testing can provide exact concentrations and a laboratory report that can be useful when making decisions about water treatment or documenting a water quality concern.

What is included in the bonus enclosure?

The bonus enclosure includes a Chain of Custody for optional laboratory testing, a QR code for online registration of your lab sample, and a sample collection pouch.

How do you register a Combo Test Kit for laboratory testing?

To register your sample, scan the QR code included in the bonus enclosure and complete the online registration. You will also need to fill out the paper Chain of Custody, collect your water sample in the provided pouch, and ship the sample to our laboratory.

What parameters can be tested with the Combo Kit?

When you register a Combo Kit, you will have several options for what parameters you want tested. Testing options range from a single parameter up to 48 parameters, depending on the Combo Kit and testing package selected.

How much does Combo Testing cost?

The cost of laboratory testing depends on the testing package and parameters you select. The laboratory testing is an additional fee and is not included in the original purchase price of the Combo Test Kit.

To see current testing packages and prices, click here:

https://safehometestkits.com/drinking-water-combo-registration/

Which kits have the Combo Testing Package?

Kits that include the optional laboratory testing will be labeled “Combo” in the title of the kit.

Currently, these include DIY Arsenic in Water, DIY Lead in Water, DIY Basic Drinking Water Test Kit, and our DIY Ultimate Drinking Water Test Kit.

What is the difference between Drinking Water and Lead in Solids Combo Kits?

The Drinking Water and Lead Solids Combo Test Kits work in very similar ways.

The Drinking Water Combo Test Kits include a water collection pouch and let you choose between several options when submitting your sample.

The Lead in Solids Combo Kit lets you send in samples such as paint, dirt, dust, and more to be tested for lead.

So, while both can let you send a sample to our lab and both can test for lead, one is exclusively solid materials, and the other is exclusively water.