Check if Rusty Water Affects Hot or Cold Taps
When dealing with rusty water coming from your taps, the first step is to check whether the issue affects both your hot and cold water taps, or if it only occurs with one or the other.
Running the hot and cold taps in your kitchen and bathroom can help identify if rusty water appears in the hot, cold, or both. This can provide useful clues as to the potential cause.
If you notice rust-coloured water from all taps, hot and cold, the issue is likely with your main water supply lines or the water itself. If you notice rust-coloured water from all taps, hot and cold, the issue is likely with your main water supply lines or the water itself.
Checking your different taps will narrow down where the rusty water originates from.
By distinguishing if the rusty water is coming from just the hot, just the cold, or both taps, you can better pinpoint the part of your plumbing system that needs attention.
This can guide the next troubleshooting steps to take, like flushing pipes or draining water heaters. Determining the scope of the issue is an important early diagnostic step when dealing with mysterious rusty water.
Flush Pipes to Remove Sediment Buildup
If you determine the rusty water is only coming from your hot water taps, flushing the pipes is a good next step. This can help clear out any built-up sediment that may have accumulated inside the hot water pipes over time.
To flush the pipes, locate the hot water heater and turn off the water supply valve. To flush the pipes, locate the hot water heater and turn off the water supply valve. Then turn the water back on and let it run from several taps around the house for 5-10 minutes.
This high-velocity water will help dislodge mineral deposits and sediment from inside the pipes.
Be prepared for some initial brown water to come out as the sediment clears. Be prepared for some initial brown water to come out as the sediment clears. If it remains, the issue may be inside your hot water system instead of the pipes.
This is normal. Keep flushing until the water runs clear.
Regularly flushing your water pipes every few months can help reduce sediment buildup and prevent discolouration issues. But if flushing doesn’t solve the problem, contact a plumber to inspect your hot water system. Replacing old or corroded components may be required to permanently address persistent rusty water.
Drain and Flush the Water Heater
If flushing the pipes does not resolve the rusty water, draining and flushing your hot water heater is the next troubleshooting step to try. Here is how to properly drain and flush a hot water heater:
- Turn off the power supply to the water heater at the circuit breaker.
- Shut off the water lines connected to the water heater by closing the valves.
- Attach a garden hose to the drain valve at the bottom of the tank and place the other end outside or in a drain.
- Open the drain valve and pressure relief valve to allow the water to completely drain.
- Once drained, close the valves and refill with water. Then reopen the drain valve to flush out any sediment.
- Allow water to run through until it comes out clear. This removes any built-up silt or rust particles inside the tank.
- Close the drain valve and turn water supply back on to begin refilling the tank.
- Restore power once tank is full and check hot water taps to see if rust colour has improved.
- Drain and flush annually to optimise your hot water heater performance.
Draining your water heater may help remove sediment that could be causing rusty coloured water. But if the issue persists, your hot water system may need professional repair or replacement to address corrosion problems.
Install a Water Filter
Installing a water filter can be an effective solution for removing rust and sediment from your home’s water supply. Water filters work by trapping corroded iron particles and mineral deposits as water passes through them. This helps provide cleaner and clearer water from your taps.
Whole house water filters are installed on your main water line where it enters the home. Whole house water filters are installed on your main water line where it enters the home. Reverse osmosis and carbon block filters are good options for handling rust removal.
These treat all the water in your plumbing system.
Reverse osmosis uses a multi-stage filtration process to thoroughly eliminate rust and other contaminants. Carbon block filters also adsorb rust particles through the porous carbon material. Consider a filter with a 5 micron or lower rating for best rust filtration.
Regular filter replacements are crucial for ensuring the filter remains effective over time. Flushing your plumbing and drains can also help prevent rust particle buildup. Combined with a good water filter, this provides cleaner water throughout your home.
Determine if Main Water Supply Lines are Rusty
If you find rust-coloured water coming from all your taps - both hot and cold - the issue likely originates from your main water supply lines bringing water into your home. This indicates a wider problem affecting the water itself before it even reaches your internal plumbing.
Checking with your local water municipality or utility is a good idea in this scenario. Rusty water entering your home’s main supply lines generally means there is excessive rust and corrosion occurring in the public water pipes.
Old cast iron water mains are prone to internal corrosion over time. As they corrode, iron particles then enter the water flow, causing a distinct rusty discolouration when coming out of your taps. The public utility may need to overhaul or replace ageing iron water mains to address this.
For severe cases, a water treatment professional can test your home’s water supply to analyse the iron concentration. They may recommend installing a water softener and filtration system specifically designed to remove heavy rust and metals. This can treat water entering your home and provide cleaner water from your taps.
Replacing any severely corroded sections of your home’s main water lines may also help reduce rust particles reaching your taps. Your plumber can inspect the situation and advise the best solution for your home if the public water supply itself seems in order.
Consider Replacing Corroded Pipes
If persistent rusty water continues after trying flushing pipes, draining water heaters, and installing filters, corroded pipes may need replacement. As galvanised steel or cast iron pipes age, corrosion causes rust buildup internally that can flake off into the water flow.
Replacing corroded pipes with new copper or plastic ones can permanently solve ongoing rust issues.
Signs your pipes are corroded include frequent rusty water from taps, visible rust staining on fixtures, and very low water pressure. Steel pipes over 50 years old or cast iron pipes over 70 are at high risk of corrosion. Your plumber can assess your pipe condition and advise if replacement is recommended.
Replacing corroded pipes prevents continuing exposure to rust particles and improves water flow. Consider repiping the hot water system first if that is the primary issue source. Though replacing pipes is an involved job, it resolves persistent rust problems long-term when flushing and filters fail to fix it.
Contact a Professional Plumber
While attempting DIY troubleshooting steps for rusty water is worthwhile, contacting a professional plumber is often the best solution for permanently resolving the issue.
At Colyton Plumbing, our licenced plumbers have the expertise to accurately diagnose the root cause of rusty water and advise the most effective repairs needed. We can inspect your full plumbing system, assess pipe corrosion, and determine if replacement is required.
For public water supply issues causing rusty water, we work directly with local utilities while also installing filtration systems to improve water entering your home. No matter the rusty water source, our professional equipment and experience allows fixing problems others cannot.
Do not tolerate persistent rusty water that flushing lines or draining heaters fails to improve. Contact our Colyton Plumbing team for prompt service and reliable solutions today via email or phone. Get your water running clear once again.
Health Concerns with Rusty Water
While rusty coloured water from your taps can be an alarming sight, rest assured it generally poses no significant health risks. The rust itself comes from iron particles that flake off old steel or iron pipes and fittings as they corrode over time.
Iron is actually a mineral we need in our diets, so increased levels from rusty water are not toxic. The discolouration itself is merely an aesthetic concern, not a safety hazard. However, rust can indicate the general condition of your plumbing, which if left unchecked, could potentially lead to more severe issues down the line.
Rusty water also often contains increased sediment levels, which while not dangerous to health directly, could potentially harbour bacteria growth. Overall though, while rusty water itself does not pose a major health threat, take it as a sign your plumbing needs attention.
Running the taps to clear sediment buildup and installing a filter can help with this.
When to Replace a Corroded Water Heater
There are a few telltale signs that indicate when it is time to replace your corroded hot water heater:
- Rusty coloured water from the hot taps even after draining the tank.
- Visible leaks or external corrosion on the tank.
- Loud rumbling noises coming from the tank as it heats.
- A drop in water pressure or a notable decrease in hot water availability.
- The tank is over 10 years old, or the warranty has expired.
If your water heater exhibits one or more of these warning signs, contact a professional plumber to inspect it. They can advise if replacement is needed for your situation. Replacing an excessively corroded unit provides reliable hot water supply and prevents leaks or burst tanks down the line.
Selecting an Effective Water Filter
When selecting a water filter to treat rusty water issues, choose one designed to effectively remove iron, rust and sediment. The best filters for this application are reverse osmosis and multi-stage carbon block models.
Look for a filter with a pore size of 5 microns or smaller to capture the majority of iron particles causing discolouration. Also check the filter’s certifications for iron reduction capabilities. NSF/ANSI Standard 42 and 53 certification indicates effectiveness for rust and metal removal.
Opt for whole house filtration systems to treat all water entering your home if rusty water affects both hot and cold taps. For just drinking water, installing filters on kitchen taps is sufficient. Change filters regularly per manufacturer instructions, about every 6-12 months typically.
Choosing the right water filter matched to your home’s rust situation provides cleaner and clearer water. Contact a water treatment professional to assess your requirements and recommend the optimal filtration solution.
