Picture the scene: you get up in the morning and turn on the faucet for a nice, refreshing glass of water. Instead of crystal clear, cool clean water, you’re met with a brownish, tangy-tasting stream. You’ve found rust in your water supply, but what’s causing it, and more importantly, how do you fix it?
There are three common places that rust can find its way into your water supply from:
Water is carried around your home (and your city) in pipes. More often than not, these, or at least sections of these, are made from metal. Over the years, various different designs and materials have been commonly used, some which are prone to oxidization and rust.
Materials like galvanized steel and iron will eventually succumb to the plague of rust as they slowly start to react with the water they carry. This process can be sped up by impurities in the water supply too, so some areas are more prone to finding rust than others.
Just like with your pipework, your water heater is another likely source of rust in your water supply.
Over time, impurities in the water such as minerals build up, creating a sedimentary deposit. These trace impurities can cause the walls of your heater to rust, releasing it into your hot water supply.
Within your heater there should be an anode rod, usually made from magnesium, zinc or aluminium. This is meant to attract the impurities which could corrode and rust the tank. Eventually, they become so encrusted or corroded that they stop being effective, leaving the minerals to work their rusty magic on the tank itself.
Of course, sometimes the problem is nothing to do with your own plumbing and comes from outside. Some of the pipework that leads to our homes is very old indeed and it’s only natural that sometimes it will kick up problems.
Problems are most likely to be noticed after a water main break or serious maintenance knocks rusty materials loose.
The short answer to “is rusty water dangerous” is “not really”. Most cases of rusty water are certainly an inconvenience, staining laundry, dishes and fixtures, but the rust itself doesn’t do much harm.
The longer answer has some nuances to it. To be more detailed there are two definitions of danger that we need to break down:
While rusty water doesn’t taste great and the colour can be a bit off-putting, it doesn’t really represent a serious health risk by itself. Rust is oxidized iron, and iron, in small quantities, isn’t bad for you.
That being said, rusty water can be a symptom of more serious faults. If the pipework has corroded, it may be allowing contaminates in and some of the substances which form build ups and sludge in the system can be fairly unpleasant. It could also be a sign of a bacterial contamination within your plumbing, and that potentially could be very serious indeed.
Rusty pipes are more prone to clogging and could vastly reduce the lifespan of your plumbing and appliances. The particles can find their way into your washing machines, dishwashers and water heaters, causing damage as they circulate and spreading corrosion.
In more extreme cases, the pipework can become so damaged that it starts to spring leaks. These tiny pin-hole leaks can put out a remarkable amount of water, causing all kinds of issues that any homeowner should want to avoid.
When you discover the tangy taste of rust, there’s no need to panic. Follow these steps to identify, isolate and fix the issue and you’ll soon be back to drinking glasses of crystal clear water again.
First things first, we need to work out what we’re dealing with. Go through your home systematically, testing which fixtures seem to be affected.
If it only appears from the hot water, the water heater is the most likely culprit. If it’s isolated to a single tap, it must be somewhere around there. If it’s the whole house, it must be somewhere further down the supply.
Working systematically and logically should help you narrow it down.
Water heaters are prone to sediment build up and this is a key source of rust in your water. Important things to keep an eye on include:
You should periodically drain your heater to avoid sedimentary build-up causing too much damage. If you suspect that the problem is really serious, call someone who offers professional water heater services.
You can test your water quality using over-the-counter kits or, for a really accurate result, ask a professional to do it for you.
This will let you know, often in great detail, exactly what you’re facing. If the results suggest contamination, contact your local water provider as it’s likely on their end.
If the problem doesn’t seem to be connect to your heater or the water supply from your utility provider, it’s most likely a symptom of aging pipes. Older systems, such as iron and galvanized steel pipes are particularly prone to corrosion and it can often make sense to simply replace them altogether.
It’s worth calling in a licensed plumber to do this as pipework can be tricky to access and the problems are likely internal.
Talk to your plumber about your options for a whole-house filtration system. These can help to remove rust, amongst other impurities, and guarantee you a fresh supply at point of use.
There are various different models, each working slightly differently, so consult with the pros to work out which is best for you.
Of course, it’s better to avoid the situation in the first place. Keeping up with inspections and maintenance can help prevent rusty water ever troubling you in the first place.
If, after some basic troubleshooting, the problem persists or if you’re facing an issue with the whole house, reduced water pressure or visible corrosion on your pipes, call in the big guns. Likewise, if the problem seems to be fixed then returns, a professional plumber is your best bet at stopping it permanently.
If you suspect that the issue is with aging pipes which need replacing or your water heater, working with a plumber ensures a good result and, most importantly, you and your home’s safety.
