Why Is My Water Rusty?

Clean water is an absolute necessity. Those living in the U.S. are lucky that it is so easy to obtain. Just open the tap and out will come perfectly fine water for drinking, washing, or any other purpose. The same is not true for a large portion of the world's population. Of course, our water isn't always perfect either. Sometimes problems can occur that can make life difficult. An example of this is the occurrence of rust colored water coming out of the faucet. Rust is mixing in with the liquid, leading to discoloration and a foul smell. This is an issue that needs to be dealt with immediately. There are many causes for an issue like this. In this article, we will discuss a number of things that can trigger rusty water in your home.

Pipes

Rust can come from the pipes in and around the house. If you are living in a place that is decades old, then there's a good chance that the plumbing is starting to succumb to environmental pressures. The rust itself is not that dangerous. However, corrosion can lead to holes in the pipes that could introduce other contaminants. If this is indeed the case, then the affected sections will have to be replaced with new pipes. This is not a job for amateurs as the process entails lots of risks. Be sure to call an experienced plumber for the best results.

Bacteria

Another potential source of rust are the water heaters. This is confirmed by opening the cold water tap and the hot water tap. If the discoloration is only present with your hot water, as in you have rusty hot water, then you have found the culprit. Ignoring the problem will only make it worse. Oxidizing bacteria attacks the metal to create iron oxide. This is what we commonly refer to as rust. Those who use wells deal with rust in well water frequently. Although it is more commonly found in well water, it can thrive in water heaters as well.  Corrosion will eventually compromise the structural integrity of the water tank. You will need the services of a competent professional. Do not worry about hot water heater replacement cost alone. You will pay more later if you leave the issue unattended.

Sediments

Sometimes the problem lies in the water itself. Perhaps it has too much iron or manganese content because of the environment. The sediments can drop down to the bottom of a water tank because of their density. Opening the taps can disturb the particles, making them swirl and mix with the rest of the liquid. Periodic draining may temporarily resolve the problem. Regular maintenance is also ideal. The anode rod needs a replacement every 5 years or so. This element attracts corrosive particles to spare the water heater, sacrificing itself in the process.

 

Supply

The problem may also be bigger than the structures in and around your house. Rust may be coming from the main line itself because of issues with the public supply. Widespread contamination is rare but is has happened in towns across the country. It can be harder to resolve because of the magnitude of the situation. You can confirm this by asking your neighbors whether they experience the same thing with their water. System repairs and storms can cause this temporarily but things should get back to normal within a few days.

Water Heater Replacement Bethlehem PA

If the situation persists and you think that the problem lies in your home, then do not hesitate to call a plumber right away. They will be able to find the cause of this issue and offer practical solutions to resolve it. Robinson Plumbing offers a wide variety of plumbing services throughout northeastern PA. Our certified plumbers will troubleshoot your rusty water issue and find solutions on how to solve it. As mentioned above, it can be caused by your hot water heater or old plumbing pipes. Be sure to contact us for any plumbing issues that you may be experiencing. We service Allentown PA 18101, Bethlehem PA 18015, Catasauqua PA 18032, Center Valley PA 18034, Coplay PA 18037, East Texas PA 18046, Emmaus PA 18049, Lehigh Valley PA 18001, Northampton PA 18067, Whitehall PA 18052, and surrounding areas in the Lehigh Valley. Call us today at (610) 351-9889 or contact us for any questions that you might have!

The following blog post, Why Is My Water Rusty?, is available on www.RobinsonPlumbing.com