Having access to clean water is essential during the COVID-19 pandemic. We want to be able to wash our hands, launder our clothes, and take comfortable showers without worrying about the quality of the water. Unfortunately, it can be alarming to discover if there is brown water coming from the taps. This murky brown colour isn’t usually associated with water, so it may make us feel dubious about the state of our plumbing systems.
Any time you turn on the faucet, you are probably used to seeing clean water that looks fresh, pristine, and sanitary. If you notice brown, rusty-looking water instead, this sudden change can be quite unnerving. You may not know exactly why the water is turning into this colour, but you’ll want to contact a plumber and get rid of the brown water from the tap as soon as possible.
In the following tutorial, we will explain why this problem might be happening, and how you can get rid of brown water from the tap.
What is causing brown water from the tap?
Brown water from the tap is often caused by a corrosion in your water pipes. As the pipes get older, they begin to deteriorate physically. Tiny pieces of materials can flake away and wind up in the water supply. In addition, there are numerous sediments, rust, and minerals that gradually build up in the water over time. All these factors can contribute to water that looks reddish brown in colour.
Is the brown water safe and sanitary?
You’re probably questioning whether it is safe to drink brown water and if you can use it for washing around the house. Since brown water doesn’t look very appealing, your natural instinct might be to assume that it is unhealthy and unsanitary. In general, brown water is not considered toxic or poisonous. There shouldn’t be an immediate health concern if you make physical contact with brown water.
However, drinking brown water is not recommended since it could have an unpleasant taste. For cleaning and general household use, you may want to boil the water first as a safety precaution. As for doing laundry, the brown water may stain your white sheets and light-coloured clothes. You should probably repair the plumbing problem first before putting a new batch of laundry into the washer.
How to get rid of brown water from taps
Brown water coming from your taps is an unpleasant experience, and you will want to get rid of it as quickly as possible. The best way to treat this problem is to call in the professionals. A qualified plumber can quickly investigate the situation, diagnose the problem, and restore the colour of your water to its normal appearance.
In addition, you may like to try the following methods to get rid of the brown water from your taps:
1. Try running the faucets
Sometimes, there could be a small amount of rust stuck to the inner walls of a pipe. This can alter the colour of the water. Try running the affected faucets until the water becomes clear again. You will need a bit of patience and see if the problem still persists after twenty minutes or so. If this doesn’t fix the brown colour in your taps, move on to the below suggestions.
2. Remove the aerator from the tap
Check all of your taps. If only one tap is producing brown water, then the problem may be an isolated incident with the aerator. The aerator is a small attachment that fits onto the end of the tap, and it controls the amount of water flowing. If the aerator is dirty or damaged, this may be the cause of your water turning brown.
Remove the aerator and give it a deep cleanse. Also, turn on the cold water and let the faucet run for a few minutes. Then, place the aerator back onto your tap. Hopefully, this fixes the problem and you have gotten rid of the brown water.
3. Drain and flush your water heater’s tank
If all your taps are producing brown water, there may be a problem with the water heater. Sediment buildup can occur in water tanks. Not only does this change the colour of the water, but it can also cause troublesome leaks in your water heater. To fix this problem, try draining and flushing your water heater tank. As part of your regular plumbing maintenance, it’s a good idea to drain and flush the tank about twice a year.
4. Call your water supply company
When the water suddenly turns brown, there’s a possibility that something went wrong with a water main or a fire hydrant nearby. Ask your neighbours if they’re having the same problem. There’s a chance that the city might be doing maintenance on the pipe systems, which stirred up some sediments by mistake.
If you suspect this is the cause, call the water company and tell them about your water condition. Inquire about whether there is any maintenance happening in your neighbourhood. They should be able to tell you if the problem is being addressed, and when your water should clear up again.