Brown water can cause severe damage to your property and health.
For instance, it can stain your clothes and floors when washing and cleaning. If the water you’re using turns brown, it can pose a serious health concern; drinking water is not considered safe.
And we understand the stress and frustration you will feel when the water from your tap turns brownish.
Although most people think of corrosion in the pipes as the reason, several factors can cause the water from your kitchen or bathroom taps to turn brown. So, we have curated this handy guide to assist you in identifying the cause and resolving the issue, whether it involves your kitchen, bathroom or garden tap.
In addition, our fixes and solutions are simple and easy to follow. So, let’s begin with your brown water problem!
What Is Making My Water Brown?
When brown water comes out of your tap, it typically signifies that sediment, rust or minerals have accumulated in the main water source. Brown water is a clear sign of contamination due to an external or internal factor.
As mentioned, several variables can cause your primary water source to provide you with discoloured water.
For instance, if the main water line breaks or adjacent construction causes sediment build-up within the pipes, it results in discoloured water due to naturally occurring metals. Besides this, a modification in the water flow or water pressure due to increased demand can stir up the sediments and minerals within the water supply. It may happen that the local fire services are using the hydrant, creating an excess water demand.
Residential brown water is usually caused by oxidised iron or water pipe rust. Similarly, dislodged water mains or leaking water pipes can cause the water to oxidise with iron, which results in rusty water. Nevertheless, it isn’t potentially hazardous. The water clarity will likely improve if you leave the water running for a few hours.
However, if the problem continues, some adjustments to your plumbing system might be necessary, or you may need to call a professional plumber to assess your water system.
Is It Dangerous Or Harmful To Use Brown Water?
In general, brown water is not harmful to health. Most people have encountered brown tap water at least once and have lived to talk about it. Brown tap water can often be a minor inconvenience that interferes with our daily activities.
Iron pipes in your plumbing system could be one reason for the brown water, as the iron content can lead to oxidation. Although excess iron is not suitable for the body, some iron is beneficial as long as it remains in the safe zone. We don’t need to feel threatened by brown water always when it comes to health problems; however, you should avoid drinking it, mainly due to its metallic taste.
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Nevertheless, you can still shower or wash your hands with brown water. On the contrary, it is not ideal for washing clothes, especially white fabrics, as they can turn red from rusty water.
However, if the water has become brown due to rust in the pipes, it can act as a breeding ground for bacteria. This is because the rusty pipe can eventually corrode and crack plumbing pipes, exposing the water to contaminate the air.
Likewise, leaking pipes are prone to mildew and mould. If these water pipes are not replaced in time, they can eventually lead to mould infestation in the house, causing a significant health hazard.
Alternatively, discoloured water from leaking pipes can ruin the look of your kitchens and washrooms. For instance, the leaking brown water can stain the sinks, tiles and floors of the toilet. Similarly, too much iron can attach to any surface and cause sedimentation.
How To Get Rid Of Brown Water?
Here are a few steps which can help to remove the discoloured water from your pipes and water supply:
1. Install A Water Filter Or Water Softener
If the problem persists, we suggest installing a water filter or softener in your home. These devices are designed to remove the iron particles and contamination from the water mains. Although water filters or softeners are efficient and reliable, they require regular maintenance for the best results.
2. Talk To Your Neighbours
Conversing with your neighbours is another practical approach to tackling this issue. If numerous households in your locality are experiencing brown tap water, the problem could stem from the city’s utility provider. In these circumstances, you should call the local provider and ask them to check the water main and conduct the necessary repairs or cleaning.
In this regard, they may even replace old pipes with new supply pipes or repair damaged ones using relining techniques.
3. Replace Your Rusted Plumbing Pipe Or Water Fixture
As discussed earlier, a rusted pipe or water fixture is a breathing ground for bacteria and mould infestations. In this case, replacing your rusted pipes with new supply pipelines is recommended. Also, regular plumbing maintenance can stop the pipes from rusting.
4. Hot Or Cold Water Test
You can use cold or hot water to check the causes of brown water. If the hot water flowing from your tap turns brown, there might be an issue with the system or faucet that needs to be addressed. Inspecting the water heater promptly is an advisable action to resolve this issue.
However, if the brown water issue is specific to your hot water tap, it could be due to rusting or mineral contamination in your pipe, faucet or central water supply line. Contact a qualified plumber to detect the exact reason and eliminate it.
Brown Water Coming From Your Tap: Solved!
Responsible human beings should care for water quality since it is scarce. One of the most effective ways of conserving water is to ensure it is safe for consumption and daily use.
Besides this, heavy rainfall in your area can significantly affect the water table, turning the water brown.
However, if the problem persists for over a couple of weeks, you should contact a plumbing service immediately. And for fast and affordable plumbing services in Caloundra, you can trust no one better than Big Blue Plumbing. Please don’t hesitate to call (07) 5404 9354 to speak with our team. If tap water is discoloured, we promise to provide an immediate solution!
With that, it’s a wrap for today. See you next time!
