Brown Water Coming Out of Your Faucets? Here is What to Try!
Brown water coming out of your faucets can be a frightening sight to see. Luckily, there are a few easy things you can do to help the problem at home.
Brown water can be caused by a few different things, the most common being rust, mineral or sediment build up. The most common culprit is extra iron, which causes the water to become discolored. The sediments can be in the water due to construction, pipe replacements or broken pipes near by. In any of these situations, the water flow changes which causes sediment to break off and come through the pipes.
Is it Still Safe to Drink?
It is likely that brown water is safe to drink. We do not recommend drinking it in case it is not safe. Rusty water is a breeding ground for bacteria that can make you sick if you ingest it. We suggest using bottled water until this issue is resolved.
What to Try if You Have Brown Water:
The first thing to do if you have brown water is to flush out your pipes. In order to do this, you need to leave a faucet (or two) running for about 20 minutes. When doing this it is important to use cold water. If this resolves the issue then there shouldn’t be anything wrong with the plumbing in your house. It may have been loose sediment from any sort of pipe replacement or even construction.
Step 2:
If the problem is still persisting, check to see if it is a localized or widespread issue. Make sure to check every source in the house, including bathtubs & showers. A localized issue would be with the pipe that leads to that specific area. If the issue is widespread then it could signal an issue with one of the main pipes in the home.
Step 3:
The next step is, test if it is just hot water or both. If it is just hot water, it could signal that your water heater is in need of maintenance. If that is the case, call your local 1-Tom-Plumber and we will be happy to help you out.
Step 4:
If it is not just your hot water, contact your neighbors and see if they are having similar problems. Is everyone is having brown water issues? It’s best to call your local utility company to have them flush the pipes out on their end.
Call 1-Tom-Plumber
Don’t hesitate to contact us or call us at 1-Tom-Plumber (1-866-758-6237) if you are still experiencing brown water issues. We will immediately handle any emergency plumbing, drain, and water damage problem, including excavation of underground water lines and sewer main lines
