What to Do If You Notice Rusty Water Coming from Your Taps
Rusty water is gross, but it happens. When you turn on your faucet and orange water comes out, something in your plumbing system is breaking down. It might be your water heater, your pipes, or even the city’s water supply causing the problem. The good news? It’s usually fixable, and it’s rarely dangerous. Here’s what to do when your water looks like it came from a construction site.
Test Every Faucet in Your House
Walk around and turn on all your faucets – kitchen, bathrooms, laundry room, everywhere. If every single tap produces rusty water, you’ve got a main line problem or the city is having issues. If your hot water is rusty but cold water runs clear, your water heater is dying. This simple test tells you exactly where to focus your attention.
Your Water Heater is Getting Old
Water heaters rust from the inside when they get old. There’s a metal rod inside called an anode that’s supposed to corrode instead of your tank, but when that rod is gone, your tank starts rusting. If you’re getting rusty hot water, your water heater probably has about six months to two years left before it completely fails.
Those Old Pipes Finally Gave Up
Homes built in the 1950s and 1960s have galvanized steel pipes that rust over time. They look fine from the outside, but inside they’re flaking rust into your water. If you have an older house and your cold water is rusty, those pipes are done. You’ll need to replace them with copper or plastic.
Ask Your Neighbors
Before you panic, check with a few neighbors. Sometimes the city does work on water mains or fire hydrants, which stirs up sediment and causes temporary rusty water throughout the neighborhood. If everyone has the same problem, just wait it out and call your water company to complain.
Run the Water for Ten Minutes
Turn on your faucets and let them run for about ten minutes. If the water clears up, you probably had a temporary issue with the city supply. If it stays rusty, the problem is definitely in your house and you need professional help.
It’s Gross But Usually Safe
Rusty water tastes terrible and looks disgusting, but small amounts won’t hurt you. However, old corroded pipes can grow bacteria, so use bottled water for drinking and cooking until you fix the problem. This is especially important if you have kids or elderly family members.
Stop Using Your Appliances
Turn off your washing machine and dishwasher until you solve this. Rusty water will permanently stain your clothes and can damage the pumps and filters in your appliances. Even your ice maker and coffee machine can get clogged with rust particles.
Get Professional Help
Rooter-Man Plumbing fixes rusty water problems throughout North Houston. We’ll figure out whether you need a new water heater, pipe replacement, or if it’s just a city issue. Call 281.351.4422 today and get your clean water back.