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What to Do if Your Tap Has Rusty Water 
October 25,2022

What to Do if Your Tap Has Rusty Water 

Rusty water from the tap is not a pretty sight. It can be scary to see brown water pouring from the faucet or brown water coming out of the showerhead. Several things can cause the brown color of the water. While you may think that old, worn pipes cause rusty-colored water, you could face much more serious issues and situations. In some cases, you should contact a plumber immediately. Mr. Rooter Plumbing will explain some situations below to assess your rusty (brown) water situation and whether or not you need plumbing service for a pipe repair. 

Is Rusty Water Dangerous?

It’s hard to say exactly whether or not rusty water is safe to drink. It all depends on what caused the rust and how much it is in your water supply. If you have a small amount of rust in your water, washing dishes with it should be fine. If you have a large amount of rust in your water, bathing and drinking could be dangerous.

It all depends on what’s causing the rust in your water supply. If it’s coming from iron buildup in your pipes, then yes, it can be dangerous. This buildup can clog up your pipes and cause leaks, leading to extensive damage in your home. If it comes from another source than iron, such as copper pipes or lead solder joints, then it usually isn’t dangerous at all.

Is Rusty Water Safe to Bathe In?

Rusty water is unsafe for bathing or drinking because it may contain bacteria and other contaminants that can cause serious illness. You should always use bottled or filtered water for drinking, cooking and preparing food. If you have any doubts about the safety of your tap water, contact your local health department.

What Causes Rusty Water From Your Tap?

Several factors can cause rusty water:

Hard water – Hard water contains minerals like iron, manganese, and calcium that can become stuck in the pipes of your home’s plumbing system. When these minerals mix with hot water, they can create brownish or rusty-colored streams of water coming from your tap.

Corroded pipes – If your pipes have been corroded by rust or other chemicals, this can also cause brown or rusty-colored streams of water from your taps.

Algae growth – Algae growth in your pipes can also cause brown or rusty-colored streams of water from faucets and other fixtures in your home’s plumbing system.

All Water Is Brown (Hot and Cold) and How To Fix It?

First, you should know that this is not a cause for alarm. All water contains some amount of iron, which may discolor it. This discoloration may also be caused by rust or other minerals present in the water. Don’t be alarmed if you see brown water coming from your faucet; this is normal!

There are several ways to fix brown water:

Use a water filter - If you have a lot of iron in your tap water, consider installing an inline filter in your home’s plumbing system. This will remove all the added minerals from your tap so that only clean water comes out when you turn on the faucet. Filters are available at most hardware stores and home improvement centers.

Run the cold water for 10 minutes - Run cold water through any plumbing fixtures for 10 minutes to flush out any mineral build-up that could be causing the discoloration in your water supply.

Only Hot Water Is Brown and How To Fix It?

Rusty water is an issue that many people face. Rust is caused by the presence of iron in the water. The most common cause of rust in hot water is from pipes that have been sitting idle or unused for a long time. If your tap has rusty water, it is important to fix this problem immediately. Here are some steps you can take:

Check the hot water heater - If you have had your hot water heater for a long time, it may be the source of rust in your hot water. If this is the case, you need to replace it with a new one. You should also check for leaks in your pipes and fix them as soon as possible. 

Fix leaks - Leaks can cause excess waste of water and sometimes even lead to flooding. If leaks are in your pipes, then they may be causing rust on your taps. 

Only Cold Water and Certain Faucets and How To Fix It?

If only cold water has a reddish tint, try to determine if it's coming from the faucet or inside your home's plumbing system. You'll know it's coming from inside your plumbing when you see rust stains around the faucet spigot or on any exposed metal parts in your house's plumbing system (like pipes). If so, you may have an internal leak in one of those pipes that need to be fixed by a licensed plumber as soon as possible because it could lead to bigger problems down the road, like burst pipes and flooded basements!

Call the Professionals at Mr. Rooter Plumbing

If you have brown or rust-colored water coming from your faucets, it is due to the presence of iron. Iron is found naturally in many water sources, but it can become more concentrated if the water runs through unnecessary pipes before arriving at your home. This process allows the iron to interact more with the pipes and causes corrosion. Do you need a pipe repair? Hot water heater repair? Or something else? A professional plumber is available to assist with any plumbing concern you have.