Why is Your Water Discolored?

When you find your water discolored, you want answers in a hurry. Not knowing how serious the problem can be, you’re left wondering what to do next. Obviously, the first step is to contact a local Stuart plumber.

With many of the situations involving discolored water, the last thing you want to do is tackle the project yourself. In some cases, the discoloration can be caused by a hazardous health situation, so it’s best to leave these repairs to the pros. However, if you’re curious as to why your water isn’t clear, here are some of the most common reasons why.

Rusted Pipes

If you’ve got pipes in your home that are old and made of metal, there’s a good chance they are starting to rust on the inside. When they do, expect to start seeing water that is red, yellow, or orange in color flowing from your faucets.

While not extremely hazardous to your health, it’s best to have the pipes replaced as soon as possible. If you live in an older home, it’s a good idea to have a plumber inspect any old pipes for rust and have them replaced if needed.

Hard Water

If you have a well for your water supply, you might be having problems with hard water. This type of water, known for its very high mineral contents, can be various colors. However, its most common color is reddish-brown or in some cases pink.

If you find pink water in your bathtub, you’ve got water that has very high iron levels. If it’s more of a rusty color, it will probably have high levels of both iron and magnesium. Whatever minerals are present in high levels, plumbers can add water softeners and various chemicals to lower the mineral content.

Sewage Leaks

One of the most complex water discoloration problems, sewage leaks are also some of the most expensive to repair. If a home’s water turns dark brown or black, there’s a good chance sewage has leaked into the water supply and contaminated it thoroughly.

A plumber should be called to examine the home’s sewer and water lines, and in many cases they will discover cracks or other damage in the lines. If they do, the lines will need to be replaced. Since the lines are buried underground, they will need to be dug up, so expect to pay a hefty repair bill to solve this problem.

Keep your Stuart, FL home free from contaminated water. Call today at Allore’s Plumbing, for water filtration and more!