Discolored Water: Causes, Fixes & Prevention

Discolored water can be caused by many different things and is a common occurrence in many homes. Water can be tinged yellow, brown, black, red, pink, orange, green, or blue. Read on for more information on when to be concerned and how to resolve this problem if it’s occurring in your home. However, it is always a good idea to call on a professional plumber during the situation.

What Are The Causes?

The most common source of water discoloration is the water main itself. During times of high water speed, such as a water main break or high system demand, iron and manganese sediment can become disturbed resulting in yellow, brown, or red colored water. This discoloration is not cause for concern and does not pose any health hazards. It can result in clothing stains, so avoid washing clothes until the water becomes clear again.

If you are seeing discolored water on a daily basis, this could mean there is a problem with galvanized or copper piping in the home. Galvanized pipes that are beginning to rust will often result in yellow, red, or brown tinged water. Copper pipe problems can result in green colored water and can be harmful to humans if ingested in large quantities. Pink or orange colored water that occurs in a home with a well is a sign of iron in the water and needs to be addressed immediately.

How Can It Be Fixed?

Water that is discolored due to an issue with the main water supply does not need to be addressed by a plumbing company. The water will usually clear up on its own in a few days. Discolored water caused by any of the other sources mentioned above needs to be addressed by a licensed plumber immediately.

Water testing should be performed to determine the source of the problem first. Once the source has been identified, a professional plumber can replace any pipes that are causing an issue. If a well problem is to blame, a water softener system will need to be installed to prevent any further issues with high iron content.

How Do I Prevent It?

Being aware of any changes in water color and addressing the problem immediately is the best way to prevent any health problems and any further damage to the home’s plumbing system. Performing routine maintenance on a well’s softener system will yield the longest life for the system and prevent costly repairs in the future.

Bring in a plumber into your Atlanta home to look over your plumbing system and make the necessary corrections. Call Greenlee Plumbing at (678) 386-7513 today!