Plumber Tips: How To Find The Source Of Rusty Water | New Orleans, LA
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If you’ve recently noticed that your home’s water has a metallic taste or is discolored, it may be contaminated. Sometimes water pipes and fixtures can become rusty, and this will cause problems with your water supply. Rusty water indicates that there’s an issue with either your pipes or water source.
If you live in New Orleans, LA, or the surrounding area and are searching for a plumber, you may like to contact bluefrog Plumbing + Drain. The company can help you to find the source of your rusty water, determine what’s causing it, and fix the problem.
Many homeowners take it for granted that their water supply will be clean and fresh until something goes wrong. This article will discuss how to find the source of rusty water and when to call in the help of a plumber.
The Signs of Rusty Water
If your water is rusty, it’s likely to be obvious, and you won’t easily confuse the problem as being something else. If your home’s water has a metallic taste and smells slightly metallic or acidic, it’s likely to be caused by rust somewhere in your plumbing system.
In severe cases, you’ll notice that your water is discolored, and it may even tinge your clothing a reddish-brown. Over the long-term rusty water can also start to stain your porcelain sinks and toilet. Luckily once the source of the rust is located, the problem is relatively easy to fix with the help of a professional plumber.
The Causes of Rusty Water
There are many reasons that your water can become rusty, including problems with your water system. Your home may have rusty pipes; this is more common in older homes that have an ancient plumbing system. If old pipes are the cause of the rusty water, your plumber may recommend that you have new modern PVC piping installed.
Another common reason that water turns rusty is that there may be damage to your home’s pipes. This will have most likely been caused by construction. If there have recently been workmen in your area doing work on the pipes, or if you’ve had any construction work done, it would be best to call in a plumber to assess the situation.
Rusty water can also be caused by the build-up of sediment in your plumbing system. Some areas have more significant sediments, such as limescale or mineral deposits in the water supply. This may make your home more prone to contamination and rusty water.
Other causes of rusty water include a rusty appliance such as a rusty water heater or faulty washing machine. There may also be a break in your water main. If you have any issues with your plumbing system, its best to call in the help of a professional plumber who can find a solution.
How to test for rusty water
There is a simple test that you can do to help find the cause of the rust in your water. Although you can do this test yourself to narrow down what the issue is likely to be, you’ll need to call a plumber to determine the exact cause and find a solution.
Water heater problems vs. rusty pipes
Run the cold water in your home for about a minute to see if it looks rusty. You can then shut off the faucet and then rerun the water to see if it remains rusty. Next, try the hot water faucet. If you only see a rusty color while running the hot water, this indicates an issue with the hot water heater. If, on the other hand, the cold water also looks rusty, then the problem is more likely to be caused by your pipes.
Sediment build-up
If your water looks rusty when you first start running it but seems to clear after a minute or two, this is likely to indicate sediment build-up. Sometimes sediment builds up in the pipes, and this clears once you’ve run your water for a short time.
Water source problems
If your water always looks rusty and isn’t clearing in time, there’s likely an issue with your water source. If you suspect that this is the case, it’s best to contact your water authority and report the problem.
How to handle rusty water
If you have problems with sediment build-up, contamination, or rusty water, you should ensure that you’re running your water and flushing your toilets regularly. Ensure that you open the faucets occasionally, even if you don’t need to use them that often. It’s best to allow the water to run through your pipes as much as possible, which reduces sediment build-up.
If your water doesn’t taste nice, stop drinking it, and don’t let your family or pets drink it either. Contamination caused by rust or sediment can cause health issues over the long term.
If you know that you have a rust problem, it’s a wise idea to call in your local plumber who can find the problem and fix it. It’s best to have an expert determine what the issue is rather than trying to fix the problem yourself.
bluefrog Plumbing + Drain
If you live in New Orleans, LA, or the surrounding area and are searching for a plumber, don’t hesitate to contact bluefrog Plumbing + Drain. The company is available for all types of plumbing work, from installing plumbing fittings in a new build to fixing leaking toilets or pipes. They can help you to find the source of rusty water, and after determining what the issue is, will find a solution.
bluefrog Plumbing + Drain is a professional company that is rated by home advisors; they employ a highly skilled workforce and are available for all your plumbing needs.
Contact bluefrog Plumbing + Drain of New Orleans today on 504-229-4848 to solve your rust problems!
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