Water should never have a color. It is, therefore, understandably disturbing when you turn on the hot water in your home, and it looks “dirty.” Why does this happen? Is it safe to drink it? And how do you know when you should call a plumber?
When it comes to plumbing issues, discolored water is one of the more common ones. In some instances, it may be because the water company is flushing out the lines. In others, it could be that your furnace or water heater is experiencing an issue that requires immediate attention. Else, you could risk a serious flood that causes irreversible damage to your floors, walls, and other aspects of your home.
If you would like a professional to come and take a look at your water, Plumbing by Jake can help. Call us at (928) 377-5910 to schedule an appointment for service.
Your Water Company
The water coming out of your faucets may be discolored because someone is working on the lines. Any time the fire department turns on a hydrant, this can cause discoloration in your water. The same is true if construction, maintenance, or repairs are going on for a main water line. Any activity can loosen residual sediment in the pipes, which then comes out in your water supply.
To rule out this possibility, simply turn on all the cold faucets in the house and let them run. If the water clears up after a few minutes, you can relax knowing your discolored water is not because of anything happening inside your home.
Your Water Heater
If you use a water heater to heat your water, then the heater itself may be turning your water brown. If it is nearing the end of its lifespan (10 years or older), this may be a red flag that your water heater is about to die soon. Most water heaters last 15 years before you need to replace them.
Failing that, you may simply have a buildup of sediment in your water heater, which will eventually come out in the wash (pun intended). However, this does not necessarily mean this is not a cause for concern. The reason sediment builds up in the pipes in the first place is because there may be breaks in the line allowing dirt to get through.
If this is the case, you can call a professional plumber to come in and flush the sediment out of the tank. From there, you can sign up for preventive maintenance to prevent the sediment from building up again by having your lines regularly cleaned.
Galvanized Iron Pipes
Galvanized iron pipes are great for plumbing because they hold up well and last a long time. However, when they get older and start to break down, they can rust and release that dark brown rust into your water.
The bottom line — if you have discolored water and your plumbing is on the older side, no matter what materials make it up, it is a good idea to call a plumber for service.
Other Signs of a Problem
If you have noticed discolored water coming out of your pipes, which is accompanied by your plumbing making odd sounds like boiling or popping, this is almost certainly a sign that you need to call in a professional plumber to take a look.
If you use a water heater to heat your water, then you do not want to put off calling a plumber – especially if your water heater is making strange noises. If your water heater goes, this can result in a severe leak that causes catastrophic water damage throughout your home. Not only is water damage expensive to repair, but in most cases, you’ll need to replace a significant portion of your home. You also risk health issues related to mold and mildew.
If You Have Discolored Water, Let Plumbing by Jake Take a Look!
Discolored water is not necessarily a cause for concern. For many of the homes we visit who report discolored water, the main cause is usually the utility company working on the lines. However, if you run all the taps in your home and the water refuses to come out clear, or if you’re hearing strange noises coming from your heating system, run — don’t walk — to the phone to call us.
You can reach us at (928) 377-5910 anytime, day or night, whether your issue is an emergency or not. If it is not an emergency, we will schedule a service call for our next available time slot during business hours. If it is an emergency, we will do our best to get there as soon as possible.
Plumbing is one of the most important things to take care of as a homeowner and is something you should not put off or neglect. Call Plumbing by Jake today, and let us take care of that plumbing problem so you can enjoy peace of mind and working plumbing once again!
