Introduction

Noticing rusty sediment in your water can be concerning, but it's usually not a cause for alarm. While it's not ideal, there are several common reasons for rusty water that are typically not serious. These include issues with your water heater or corroding metal pipes.

Read: The Benefits of regular Plumbing maintenance at your home

However, it's essential to take action on time to prevent the problem from worsening. Below are the top three reasons you may be experiencing rusty water in your tap water.

What To Do If Both Hot & Cold Water Look Brown?

If you notice that both your hot and cold water appear brown, it's crucial to inspect your tap water carefully. This discoloration could indicate a potential water main break in a fire hydrant or a local water main.

Water main breaks can introduce sediment into your water supply as they connect various municipal water lines. While this occurrence may cause concern, it's often a result of municipal maintenance work and isn't typically a major issue.

To address this, first, check for any local boil water advisories to determine if the sediment is affecting other areas. If not, contact your local water authority immediately to report the issue and inquire about recent maintenance activities.

This communication will provide insight into the cause of the water discoloration and help you understand how long it may take for your water supply to return to normal.

What To DO If Only Hot Water is Brown? 

If you find that your hot water appears brown while the cold water remains clear, the culprit is likely your water heater. Sediment accumulation within the water heater can cause the water to take on a rusty brown hue. It's crucial to address this issue on time to prevent potential damage to your water heater.

Check out: Why Your Water Heater Needs a Filter: Exploring the Benefits

Sediment buildup can lead to premature corrosion in the water tank, posing the risk of leaks, cracks, or even bursts or explosions within the tank.

To resolve the problem, you'll need to drain and flush the water heater tank to eliminate any sediment buildup. This maintenance task should ideally be performed at least annually, or every six months if you have hard water. 

If you notice early signs of corrosion in the water heater tank, it's advisable to seek the expertise of a plumber for further evaluation and guidance on the best course of action.

Read: 5 Water Heater Accessories for Lower Energy Bills

What If the Issue Occurs at Specific Faucets?

If you notice sediment buildup or rusty water from particular faucets, it's probable that a water supply pipe is corroding. Many older homes experience sediment accumulation in their plumbing pipes. Initially, this might seem like a minor issue, and running the water for about 20 minutes can help flush out any loose rust from the pipes.

However, if the problem persists despite this simple fix, it's likely that you need to replace the affected pipes. Continuing to experience rusty water from specific faucets could indicate significant corrosion in the pipes. This means you need to replace your pipes to resolve the issue effectively.

Read: How to remove rust from taps with WD-40 rust remover

How to Stop Rusty Water from Faucets

Rusty water from faucets often stems from rust or corrosion in the pipes. While rusty pipes typically affect cold water, if only the hot water appears rusty, it indicates corrosion closer to the faucet. 

Occasionally, a small piece of rust may break off, causing temporary discoloration that clears after running the water for ten to 20 minutes. If the water doesn't clear quickly, it's advisable to have a professional plumber inspect your plumbing. Corroded pipes not only lead to brown water but can also result in leaks and require replacement to prevent further damage.

Accumulated sediment in the bottom of your hot water tank, especially due to inadequate maintenance, can cause rusty water when running hot water. You can drain and flush the tank to remove sediment, resolving the rusty water issue.

High mineral content in water, such as iron, can cause rusty water, staining fixtures, and irritating skin. A professional plumber can install an ion exchange water softener, adding sodium to remove iron and rust.

Testing the water for mineral content and pH levels can determine the cause of rusty water. An oxidizing water filter, using manganese oxides, can effectively remove iron and prevent rusty water if moderate or high concentrations of minerals are present with a pH of 6.8 or higher.

In severe cases of rusty water, a solution feeder may be recommended to add polyphosphates to prevent iron from rusting. However, due to the high expense, plumbers typically suggest this method only if other solutions fail.

Sudden rusty water may not originate from plumbing but rather from issues with the water supply itself, such as a water main break or flushing nearby fire hydrants. Additionally, high bacteria levels can cause rusty or discolored water. In such cases, a plumber may recommend water treatments, such as adding bleach to the water supply, waiting, and then flushing until the water runs clear.

Conclusion

Addressing rusty water issues requires identifying and resolving underlying causes like corroded pipes or sediment buildup. Timely action, such as replacing plumbing pipes or flushing the water heater, can ensure a clean water supply. Professional assistance may be necessary for effective solutions, and maintaining the integrity of your plumbing system.

Check out: How to choose Home Water Filters & Other Water Treatment Systems?