Brown water coming out of your faucet or toilet can be very surprising and even a bit disturbing. It can leave you with questions like, “Why is my water brown all of a sudden?” – or maybe even “Is brown water safe?”
Gotelli Plumbing has the answers to those questions as well as some solutions for the problem, so don’t worry! Keep reading to learn more about what might be causing your issues with poor water quality.
What Causes Water to Turn Brown?
There are a variety of reasons why your home’s water is coming out brown, but the most common one has to do with an excess of sediments and minerals in your water supply. This usually happens when there’s been a main line break or utility maintenance work nearby. It’s typically a temporary problem and should resolve itself within a few hours.
If this isn’t the case, there are a few other possible issues that may be causing your brown water issues.
Water Lines In Your Home Could Be Corroded
Rusty and corroding pipes can leave your home’s water a dark shade of yellow or reddish brown. High mineral content like iron and manganese are typically responsible for the unpleasant color change and can make your water taste bad, too.
Water Table Changes Due To Rainfall Could Affect Your Well
Heavy rainfall could cause your faucets to leak brown or cloudy water, which could indicate surface water is leaking into your well and contaminating it. If heavy rainfall has occurred in your area, your water could be affected.
High Demand For Water During A Drought
A sudden increase in demand for water in your area could result in sitting sediment and minerals in the pipes being stirred up in the water, causing the grimy color change.
Your Filtration System May Not Be Working Correctly
A whole-home filtration system, such as a water softener, could be malfunctioning if the water coming out of your faucets is suddenly brown. Contact your local water experts to get your water tested and service your system.
Your Water Heater Has Built Up Rust Or Sediment
If your water only runs brown when it’s turned on hot, it might be rust or corrosion inside your water heater caused by the build-up of particles and sediment over time. This is why a water heater flush is such an important part of water heater maintenance.
How Do You Get Rid of Brown Water?
So, how do you fix it? The answer to this question ultimately depends on the cause of the problem. Older water lines in your home can sometimes be treated with rust or sediment removers, but you’ll need to contact your local plumber if that doesn’t solve the problem.
If you have a well and your water is brown, there’s a good chance you need an iron remover. High demand for water can draw sediment into your system, and you may need an additional filtration system to protect your home during those times.
Is Brown Or Rusty Water Safe?
While brown, rusty water can potentially stain clothes and fixtures, it’s typically not an immediate health concern. But just because it’s not necessarily harmful doesn’t mean you’ll want to drink it, as it looks and tastes noticeably impure. Any brown water in the home that’s meant to be ingested should be replaced with safe drinking water until the problem is resolved.
San Rafael Plumbing Repairs
No one wants issues with their water, and we don’t want them for you either. If you have a problem and you’re not sure if you can fix it yourself, it’s best to contact a professional. Whether you have brown water or you’re in need of a water softener repair, Gotelli Plumbing will get the job done. Contact us for all your plumbing needs!
