Nothing can kill your mood faster than rusty water coming through the taps as you brush your teeth.
Clean water is essential for your daily routine. Consequently, brown, rusty water will halt your chores completely since it is often unsuitable for consumption. It promotes bacterial growth, which may lead to health problems when consumed or damage your belongings when cleaned with it.
You may be wondering why your tap water has suddenly turned brown. Well, do not worry: we have compiled everything you need to know about rusty water to get rid of it.
Sources Of Rusty Water
Several factors may contribute to your water’s turning an unappealing brown colour. It may or may not require immediate attention depending on the reason for its colouration.
Following is a list of potential reasons for rusty water in your taps.
1. Rusty Pipes
In most cases, rusty water signifies rust accumulation in your plumbing. It results from the metal in your pipes oxidising and getting carried with the water supply.
Unfortunately, rust is permanent. If your pipes have rusted too much, you have no choice but to replace them. Ignoring the problem for long may lead to larger, more pressing plumbing problems.
So, if rusty water pipes are the source of brown tap water, you should have your plumbing checked immediately. You can also take a few preventive measures to prevent your pipes from rusting in the first place. Take a look:
- Clean your pipes and drains regularly.
- Get galvanised pipes.
- Keep your pipes free of scratches
2. Sediments In The Water
If your water supply draws water from a river, sediments are carried with it. These sediments can also come through the supply water systems due to disturbances caused by nearby construction. Your hot water tank may have built up sediments over time. If so, the tank would benefit from cleaning.
3. Water Main Break
A water main break can result in your tap water turning brown. If you cannot locate the source of rusty water, you should contact the city authorities to inquire about any incidents of water main breaks.
4. Water Table Shifts
Be it rainfall or lack thereof, your city’s water table may shift, and sediments in the water supply come with it. Ordinarily, this is not permanent, and the problem will fix itself in time.
Stopping Rusty Water In Your Taps
You may need to perform a few tests to pinpoint the root cause of the rusty water issue. With these steps, you’ll be able to find where the problem originates and stop it from causing further harm.
1. Drain Sediments From Your Water Tank
If rusty water is caused by accumulated sediments, you can let the water run for a few minutes. The water may clear up after allowing it to flow for a minute or two. If it does not, you may move on to the next step.
2. Check Your Plumbing
If the first step doesn’t work, you may have plumbing issues. You can ascertain this by checking which taps the rusty water comes from. You may check for damage if the connected pipes are limited to a single faucet. Then, contact plumbing services to replace the specific line.
If your cold water is fine, but brown water flows exclusively out of hot water taps, you may have an issue with your water heater. Water heaters build up sediments over time, which can flow out of your fixtures after a while. You can try replacing the tubes connecting the water heater to your plumbing system. If the water is still rusty, consider replacing the water heater tank.
3. Ask Around The Neighbourhood
What if it is not an isolated case? Try asking your neighbours if they’ve been facing the same issue. Should the problem persist for longer than 24 hours, it may be a problem with the city’s water supply. You should contact city authorities to have the water quality restored.
The Cons Of Using Rusty Brown Water
Rusty tap water is generally harmless, but it’s better not to use this water at all. After all, rusted pipes promote bacterial growth, leading to health issues like diarrhoea and various bacterial infections.
Water tarnished by rust particles can harm your health and belongings. Brown water harmed clothing articles the most. It leaves stains and brown spots, which are almost impossible to remove.
Eliminating Rusty Water
Contaminated or rusty water is an issue that must be dealt with quickly. While the problem is relatively rare, it’s always a good idea to be prepared for it. If detected early, you may be able to solve it with relative ease. Afterwards, you may take a few measures to ensure it doesn’t happen again. Remember, if your hot water is only brown, there is a good chance it is the water heater. However, you may have various issues if your hot and cold water is rusty.
If you cannot find a source of the problem, you should contact a reliable plumbing service. The professionals will take care of the problem and restore the water quality. If you have brown water from your taps in Perth, speak with our team. We at Woolf Plumbing & Gas will provide fast, long-term solutions for rusty pipes.
That brings us to the end of this guide. We hope you found it informative and resourceful!
