Brown Water
A reliable source of water is a key part of any functioning home. It allows you to clean up and gives you something to drink.
However, you should avoid both of these activities if the water from tap is brown. In this case, something is seriously wrong.
If you’re asking yourself, “Why is my water brown?” keep reading. This article will explain why water turns brown in the first place. It will also give you some helpful tips when it comes to fixing the issue.
Why Is My Water Brown?
Water doesn’t turn brown for any single reason. It can be the result of a wide variety of different reasons, some of which can be taken care of by you but all of which your local plumber can handle. Usually, water is brown due to:
- Rusty pipes
- Buildup in your water heater
- A water treatment system problem
- A change in water pressure
Understanding what is going wrong will put you on the right path to finding a solution.
Rusty Pipes
The brown color in the water may be due to rust that is in the water. This rust gets into the water through rusty pipes. As water flows through rusty pipes, it picks up some of the rust. This will continue to happen as long as the pipes are rusty.
This is more common in older homes than in newer ones. Older homes have older pipe systems, which are prone to rusting. Meanwhile, newer pipe systems take steps to prevent this type of rust from happening.
In these cases, the only real solution is replacing the rusted pipes with new ones. Newer pipes are more resistant to rust and, thus, won’t have the same issue. This fixes the issue and future-proofs the system, as it is unlikely you’ll end up dealing with the same problem again later.
This is one of those issues that will need to be fixed by professional plumbing services. You can’t realistically replace the plumbing in your home on your own. It’s a huge undertaking, and doing so opens the door for errors in the system, which can have disastrous results if a leak is sprung. Leaving it to the professionals allows you to avoid anything going wrong.
Buildup in Water Heater
Your water heater should be filled with water. However, as water passes through the heater, it can leave sediment behind. Over time, This can build up to the point where it causes a problem. It can discolor the water in the heater and cause it to come out brown.
When this happens, the sediment needs to be removed. This can be done by flushing the water heater. This involves removing all of the water from the heater until the sediment comes out with it.
You can do this on your own. However, getting help from a professional plumber by booking water heater maintenance ensures the job is done correctly. In addition, it gives you an opportunity to have them look if there are any other issues with your water heater. These issues usually aren’t independent of one another, so if there is sediment, something else may be wrong too. Having a professional check things out is never a bad idea.
Water Treatment System
In many different cases, water is filtered as it comes into your home. This happens when water passes through the home’s water treatment systems.
However, if the water treatment system has a problem, it won’t filter the water correctly. Instead, dirty water will be allowed to flow into your home and out of your faucets and other fixtures.
The best way to fix this problem is with help from a professional. A professional will be able to look at your water treatment system and determine the problem. They can tell if it needs to be repaired and can even repair it for you. If the problem is too bad to repair, they can help you replace your system instead.
Water Pressure
Sometimes, there can be a change in the water pressure in the systems that deliver water to your home. This could result from something happening with the city’s water supply or something that went wrong with your home’s water pump. In either case, this change in pressure can cause sediment to mix into the water. The resulting mix turns the water brown.
Unfortunately, if the problem is with the city’s water supply, there isn’t much you can do. You will have to wait for the issue to be resolved by the city.
If the problem is with your pump, you will need to have it fixed. Professional plumbing repair service should be able to get your pumps working again in no time.
Tap Water Is Brown
In any situation where your tap water is brown, it’s a sign that something is wrong. You should generally avoid using it. Using water filled with sediment or rust will prevent it from cleaning anything and will actually make it dirtier. You should also definitely avoid drinking it. Sediment and rust can make you sick if you consume them, even in small amounts like what is found in water like this. Avoid using tainted water at all until you can fix the issue.
You can start to diagnose the problem by letting the brown water run for a little while. In some cases, the water may clear up. In these situations, the issue may have been temporary.
However, if it doesn’t clear up quickly, a deeper issue is at play. In this case, you can look for signs that indicate any of the above problems are causing the change in water color. If you can’t tell or aren’t certain, you will need the help of a professional plumber. Not only will they be able to diagnose the issue, but they will be able to repair it as well.
How to Get Rid of Brown Water
If the water from tap is brown, you need to find a solution before you can safely use it. You can get rid of brown water in a few different ways depending on the source of the discoloration. However, the most effective way is to book help from a professional plumber, as they can determine the problem and find a solution quickly. In any case, finding a solution as soon as possible is key. Doing so will prevent you from having to suffer from brown water for long.