Why is Your Water Discolored?

When water comes out of our Guelph taps, we expect it to look clear. But that's not always the case. Occasionally, your water might come out looking cloudy or it might have a color to it. There usually is a common explanation for it. Here are the most common reasons your water might be discolored.

Corroding pipes

One of the most common reasons for discolored water is corrosion of the pipes it runs through. This happens when you have metal or copper pipes. When metal pipes corrode, it's usually due to rust, so the water that comes out of your tap can look orange, red, yellow or brown. When copper pipes corrode, especially in colder climates, your water will take on a bluish-green tinge.

Although such a situation can be off-putting, it does not make your water unhealthy to drink or use in cooking or bathing. It can, however, cause your clothes to get stained, so you should refrain from washing anything until you can get the problem cleared up.

Air bubbles

Your water may sometimes come out of the tap looking cloudy and foamy, which likely indicates it has a lot of air bubbles in it. Water has air bubbles in it all the time, but it is more likely for them to be concentrated in cold water. To ensure that the cloudiness and foaminess is from air bubbles, let the water sit in a glass or sink for a few seconds. If the bubbles disappear as the water settles and warms up, then they were most likely the result of trapped air.

Corroded water heater

If you get brownish or yellowish water only when you are using your hot water faucet, the likely culprit is your hot water heater. This could be from corrosion or sediment in your tank. You should let your hot water heater tank cool off and then flush it, which should solve the problem. If that doesn't do it, you will need to have a plumber come inspect your water heater.

Most discoloration of water is harmless, but if you are worried about what you see coming out of your taps, you should contact your water company or a Guelph plumber to investigate the problem.

If your water is discolored in your Guelph, Ontario home, call Lodder Brothers at (226) 780-4479 today, and we'll solve the problem for you!