Why Is My Water Discolored?

Are you experiencing plumbing problems? Reach out to us today at (507) 418-8387.

An issue that many of our clients face is discolored, typically brown or yellow, water coming out their sinks and baths. Not only is this problem frustrating, it's not ideal for drinking, cleaning clothes, or bathing in until the water runs clear once more.

If you're dealing with discolored water, all hope isn't lost. We'll answer, "Why is my water discolored?" in this guide and explain what could cause the problem for your home in the first place. Keep reading, then give us a call today to schedule a service appointment.

Babe Plumbing can offer a water filtration service in Mankato to address your discolored water or find another solution. You can try some troubleshooting techniques that we'll go over, but don't hesitate to reach out to us to resolve brown or yellow water. 

What Is Discolored Water?

If your water has turned orange, yellow, or brown, we consider it discolored. Your water supply may have an excess amount of minerals or lack a proper filtration system to filter out undesirable contaminants. Working with your local plumber can help you deal with this common issue.

Is It Safe to Drink Discolored Water?

Most of the time, discolored water is harmless, but it's best not to take any chances and avoid drinking it. Until you have sure knowledge of what's contaminating your water, use bottled water instead. Rust, minerals, and iron could lurk in your water, but so can harmful amounts of bacteria.

Rust and dirty water can lead to mold and mildew growth, which is extremely bad for your health. While discolored water is acceptable to drink, it's not good for cleaning clothes and could permanently discolor your property's fixtures. 

What Brown Discolored Water Means

Water turns brown when you have issues with your filtration system or the city's methods. Additionally, brown water can stem from a collapsed well if that's how you get your water supply. If you've recently swapped out some old pipes for replacement, rust can fall into your water supply as well. Alternatively, you could have too much manganese or iron in your water, changing its color and taste. 

What Yellow Discolored Water Means

If your discolored water is yellow, a water main break could lead to loose particulates, rust, and minerals stirring around. When you run your sink, bath, or shower, you might notice a yellowish hue to the water. When iron comes in contact with oxygen, you get rusty, yellow water. 

What Can Cause Water to Become Discolored?

Are you wondering, "Why is my water discolored?" You'll find several answers to why you're typically clear water has taken on a strange hue, such as:

• A broken filtration system
• Rust and mineral buildup
• Excessive rainy conditions
• Corrosion in older water lines
• Local water pressure changes

Common minerals like iron can discolor water when concentrations exceed above-average amounts. Idle use of your plumbing can cause minor discoloration but often goes away over time. Extended incidents of dirty water may come from changes in your city's water supply. 

How to Address Dirty, Discolored Water

Fortunately, you have several options when trying to get rid of your home's discolored water. The first thing you should do before making any attempts to fix the water is to check your pipes. Address any pipes with excessive rust or that need replacing to prevent further contamination.

Here are numerous ways that homeowners can resolve discolored water. If your discoloration concerns don't go away with any at-home fixes, don't hesitate to give Babe Plumbing a call.

Try Running Cold Water for a Short Time

If you've been away from home for a while or went on vacation, rust and minerals in your water pipes will come out in your water when you finally use it. Typically, your water will go back to normal after a little while. Run cold water in your taps for 20 minutes or longer, then see if the color of your water changes.

Install a Water Filtration System or Water Softener

You can get the safest, cleanest water from your water supply by installing a softener or filtration system. Filtration systems help remove chemical contaminants in drinking water. If your system is broken, it might contribute to your brown water until you fix it or change its filters.

A water softener combats hard water with minerals and contaminants. Hard water affects the feel and quality of your laundry, the dryness of your skin and clothes, and more. Ask our plumbing business about our state-of-the-art water filtration and softener services to improve your home.

Drain and Refill Your Water Heater

If you only notice brown water when running hot water, you may need to clean your water heater. Rust buildup inside your tank can contribute to brown water. Draining and refilling the water heater might clear up the brown hue, but you may have an appliance that's on its way out. 

See How Far the Problem Goes

Determine whether you're dealing with a citywide issue or if the problem is localized just to your home. You may need to have your city flush out sediment and rust from your supply. If only you have discolored water, the problem has something to do with your home's water supply.

Call a Professional Plumber

The most effective way to resolve discolored water is by contacting a professional. Babe Plumbing offers a wide variety of plumbing services and can help you achieve healthier, safer, and clearer drinking water. We're available 24/7 for your Mankato plumbing concerns.

Call Babe Plumbing to Deal with Discolored Water in Mankato, MN

Now that we've gone over, "Why is my water discolored?" get in touch with our southern Minnesota business for professional plumbing support. If you can't get a hold of your discolored water and feel stuck, reach out to schedule a consultation appointment.

Babe Plumbing helps our clients with many common plumbing concerns, such as fluoride in tap water and discoloration. We're proud to serve the good people of Mankato, MN, and the surrounding areas. Call us today at (507) 418-8387 to discuss your needs or book our services. 

Author Bio:

Jeff Jordan and Anne Jordan

The wizards at Babe Plumbing. With synchronized finesse, they flawlessly orchestrate service excellence, transforming appointment chaos into a harmonious symphony of plumbing solutions, leaving customers impressed and ever-grateful for their unrivaled coordination.