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, more often than not, it is unsuited for consumption. It promotes bacterial growth, which may lead to health problems when consumed or damage your belongings when cleaned with it.
Now you may be wondering why your tap water has suddenly turned brown. Well, not to 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 turning an unappealing brown colour. Depending on the reason for its colouration, it may or may not require immediate attention.
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 is a result of 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 option but to replace them. Should you ignore the problem for long, it 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 at once. 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 the water from a river, sediments get carried with it. These sediments can also come through the supply water systems due to disturbances caused by nearby construction. Or, 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 it’s accumulated sediments that are the cause of rusty water, you can let the water run for a few minutes. After allowing it to flow for a minute or two, the water may clear up. If it does not, you may move on to the next step.
2. Check Your Plumbing
If the first step doesn’t work, you face issues with your plumbing. You can ascertain this by checking which taps the rusty water comes out of. If it’s limited to a single faucet, you may check the pipes connected to it for damage. And contact plumbing services to replace the specific line.
If your cold water is fine, but brown water flows out of hot water taps exclusively, you may face 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 cause harm not only to your health but to your belongings as well. Clothing articles are harmed by brown water 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 fairly 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 only your hot water is brown, it is a good chance it is the water heater. However, if your hot and cold water is rusty, you may have a series of different issues.
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 in the process. If you have brown water coming out of your taps in Perth, make sure you speak with our team. At Woolf Plumbing & Gas, we will provide you with fast and long-term solutions for your rusty pipes.
That brings us to the end of this guide. We hope you found it informative and resourceful!
