How To Handle Rusty Water From Your Plumbing System
If you’re turning the faucet and the water is rusty, it is indeed annoying. Whatever you do that involves water, seeing it discolored or even red-brown isn’t a good sign. However, you’re not alone. This situation happens to most of us when it comes to plumbing. This blog post is dedicated to helping you understand what causes your water to turn brown and what you can do about it.
What is in your rusty water?
Just because it’s brown doesn’t mean there’s something gross in it. Although the brown color might be suggestive of a certain type of waste, it’s not. Minerals are mainly what is in your rusty water. Sometimes it can be rust from your pipe or even sediment. In other cases, it can be a combination of all three.
Be mindful that rusty water usually comes with an unpleasant smell. If you sense something while you’re drinking water out of your tap, be sure to check it out.
Is rusty water from my plumbing water harmful?
Although cases in which rusty tap water could prove dangerous are rare, we recommend not drinking it too many times. The mixture is, in fact, not toxic, yet it is not clean. Unsanitized water can cause rash and allergic reactions.
Other than that, unresolved rusty water can result in bacteria growing inside your plumbing system, causing further damage that can cost a fortune to fix. So as soon as you spot your water turning brown, start acting as soon as possible, or call a plumber for support.
What exactly causes rusty or discolored water?
The culprit to your water turning brown can vary. Please note that there can be multiple reasons behind rusty water from your tap. To spot any of the causes without much difficulty, read this part of the article slowly and thoroughly.
a. Your pipes
Did you recently change your pipes, or haven’t you replaced yours in a long time? If it’s the first scenario, then it’s more likely that the change in pressure has caused rust from the old pipes to get into your main water supply and turn your water into a different color as a result.
If your pipes haven’t been changed in a long time, they’re likely to be damaged, leading to pieces of metal in your water supply.
b. Your pipe is rusted
A chemical reaction in your plumbing system can cause rust to form. After some time, high pressure and water flow make your output water discolored.
c. Debris and other objects in your plumbing system
Constructions in the vicinity may slip debris and other anonymous objects into your water supply. If your water looks brown and there’s a building being constructed nearby, rest assured that the water will return to normal after several hours.
d. Old or Damaged Water Heater
One thing to notice when your water is discolored is to see whether it is because of the cold or the hot water. If the hot water is causing the change, you might want to check your water heater and make the replacement necessary.
How to handle rusty water when it happens
When you witness your water turning brown, try to run the tap for at least 20 to 30 minutes. If the discolored water still exists, check on your neighbor to see if they share the same issue. If they do, then it’s the town’s water supplier that needs to fix their system.
However, if you’re the only one with the problem, try to identify the real cause using the information given above. Should it be an impossible task, you can call your local plumber to help you figure out the problem.
If you’re in San Jose and you run into the same kind of situation? Give us a call. We will be right over and support you quickly and precisely.
That’s how you can handle rusty water from your plumbing system. There are things you can do by yourself. Please be mindful and contact a professional if you can't DIY. You will see your water running as clear as day as soon as possible.
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