Is brown water coming out of your tap? Don’t worry, it’s a common problem. This usually happens when tiny bits of rust, dirt, or minerals build up in the pipes. If something shakes the pipes, like nearby construction or a broken pipe, these bits can mix with the water and make it look brown.
If your garden tap has brown water, it might be because dirt has settled in the outdoor pipes, especially if you haven’t used them in a while. Even though brown water is usually safe for things like washing, it’s best not to drink it until it’s clear. Try running the tap for a few minutes to see if it clears up. If it doesn’t, your pipes might be getting old or there could be a bigger problem. Fixing it quickly will help bring back clean water to your home.
Reasons For Brown Water
Over time, tiny bits of rust, dirt, and minerals can build up in your water pipes. This can make your water look dirty or even brown. It’s a common problem that can slow down water flow in your pipes. You might see brown water coming from your cold taps, especially if there’s construction nearby or work being done on the water pipes. Any changes in water pressure or pipe movement can shake loose these particles, making the water look discolored.
One big reason for brown water is damaged pipes, like leaks or bursts. When pipes are fixed or replaced, air and moving water can stir up rust and other bits, causing brown water for a short time. Usually, the water will clear up if you let the taps run for a few hours.
Brown Flakes In Your Tap Water
If your tap water looks mostly clear but has tiny brown flakes or specks in it, it probably means some of the pipes in or around your home have started to rust a little. These small bits of rust can break off and mix with your water.
This can happen for a few reasons, like if more people in your area are using water at the same time, firefighters are using water nearby, or if the water company has just finished fixing the pipes and turned the water back on.
Rusty Coloured Water
If all the water from your tap looks rusty, yellow, dark brown, or even black, it’s probably because something stirred up dirt and minerals sitting at the bottom of the water pipes. This happens when a lot of water suddenly rushes through the pipes.
It can be caused by things like firefighters testing hydrants, fixing pipes, or even a big pipe breaking. Sometimes, heavy rain can also push extra water into the system and mix up the sediment.
What Should I Do If I See Brown Water Coming Out Of My Tap?
First, check if the problem is just in your home or if your neighbors have the same issue. Ask people on your street if their water looks brown too.
Ask Your Neighbors If They Have Brown Water Too
Go check with a neighbor who’s home—knock on their door and ask if their water looks brown too. If a few people on your street have the same problem, it’s likely a water main issue caused by maintenance, a broken pipe, or firefighters using water nearby. In most cases, the water should clear up in a few hours. If you’re worried, you can call Urban Utilities to ask if there’s maintenance happening and let them know about the issue.
Isolate The Taps In Your Home
If your neighbors don’t have brown water like you do, the problem might be in your home or pipes. To figure it out, check all the taps in your house and see which ones have brown water. If every tap in your home has discolored water, the issue is likely with the main pipe bringing water from the street to your house. If only one or a few taps have brown water, it’s a sign that some of the pipes inside your home may have rust or corrosion.
Flushing Your Taps To Resolve The Issue
If you see brown water coming from a cold tap, try running it for at least 20 minutes. This can help wash away any rust or dirt that got stirred up. If the water turns clear after that, the problem was probably just temporary. But if the water stays brown, there might be a bigger issue with the pipes in your home rather than the main water supply.
Checking The Closest Tap To The Mains
Sometimes, it takes longer for indoor taps to clear up because they are farther from the main water supply. Try using an outdoor or front garden tap since it’s usually the closest to the water source. Let it run for a few minutes to see if the water clears up faster. If the outdoor tap has clean water but your indoor taps still have brown water, the problem might be with the pipes inside your home.
Potential Problems With Your Hot Water System
If brown water comes from a warm water tap, your hot water heater might have a problem. Dirt and minerals can collect at the bottom of the heater and make the water look dirty. Rust inside the heater can also mix into the water, especially if the heater is getting old. This could mean it’s wearing out and might need to be replaced soon. If this happens, it’s a good idea to call a hot water expert to check it.
How To Fix Brown Water Coming Out Of My Tap
Most of the time, the best thing to do is wait. Give the water pipes a few hours to settle, and the water will usually clear up on its own. But if the brown water lasts for several hours or even days, there might be a bigger problem. In that case, it’s a good idea to call a professional plumber like Crew Plumbing to check it out.
Preventative Measures To Avoid Discoloured Water
Taking care of your plumbing system regularly can help stop brown water problems.
- Look at your pipes regularly to check for rust or damage and fix any leaks early. If you have old metal pipes that can rust, you might want to replace them with PVC or copper pipes, which don’t rust as easily.
- Putting a sediment filter where the water comes into your home can help catch rust, dirt, and minerals before they get to your taps. A water softener can also help by reducing mineral buildup that can make the water look discolored, especially if you have hard water.
- Draining your water heater regularly is a good way to keep your water clear. Dirt and minerals can build up at the bottom, making the water look dirty. Cleaning it out every so often helps remove this buildup and makes the heater last longer.
- If your area often has water problems, check for updates from your water company. This will help you know when repairs or maintenance might affect your water.
Trust Crew Plumbing To Fix Your Brown Water Problems
Seeing brown water from your taps can be worrying, but it doesn’t always mean there’s a big problem. Most of the time, it happens because of rust, dirt, or changes in the water system. Running your tap for a few minutes can sometimes clear it up. But if the water stays brown, it could mean there are rusted pipes, an old hot water system, or a bigger plumbing issue.
If the problem doesn’t go away, it’s best to call experts who can check and fix your plumbing. Crew Plumbing specialises in finding and solving water issues, making sure your water is clean and safe. Don’t ignore the problem, contact us for professional plumbing and pipe replacement services to get your water back to normal.
