Brown or rusty hot water is generally caused by sediment buildup inside your hot water system. Flushing the tank may provide temporary relief but doesn’t fix the underlying issue. Call us to properly diagnose and treat the cause of the discolored hot water.
Brown hot water can be caused by multiple factors:
Brown water from your faucet usually indicates problems with your plumbing system rather than your external water source. Identifying the exact cause is essential to develop long-term solutions and ensure your taps deliver uncontaminated, clear water.
Sediment accumulation in your hot water system and heater often results in brown water in both hot and cold taps.
Water can become less clear from your tanks over time as minerals like calcium, magnesium, and silica build up, particularly if it starts running brown. Does my water heater’s sacrificial anode rod contribute to the issue? The anode rod, designed to prevent rust, can deteriorate and contribute to discoloured water when it breaks down.
Minerals accumulate gradually as hot water dissolves deposits while heating and circulating.
Iron, manganese, and calcium are not typically harmful in small quantities but can cause staining and reduce water flow. Thick sediment deposits left unchecked can damage the water heater by overheating elements and causing corrosion.
Flushing your water heater and pipes annually can prevent excessive sediment accumulation, thus improving water quality.
This involves completely draining the tank, removing any visible sediment, and refilling it using a garden hose. If your hot water is already discoloured, a flush may help but isn’t guaranteed to resolve it fully. Engaging professional plumbing services for an inspection and high-pressure water jetting is usually necessary to address the dirty water issue adequately.
Over time, constant exposure to minerals and other elements can corrode your pipes. Galvanised steel pipes are notably vulnerable to corrosion and can introduce deposits such iron into your water supply.
As a water heater’s internal components degrade past their lifespan of 8-12 years on average, corrosion also releases contaminants causing discolored hot water; this is when it’s advisable to call professional help. Signs of extensive corrosion may include brown water from both hot and cold water taps.
Replacing extensively corroded pipes and an old water heater is often required for a permanent fix to brown water problems. We recommend a process like pipe relining can effectively repair corrosion damage and effectively remove sediment without the need to replace your entire plumbing system. Once corrosion is resolved, we can flush remaining sediment to restore clean water.
Brown tap water can sometimes result from temporary disruptions in the municipal water source. Such maintenance can make water appear brown as sediment ends up coming through your home plumbing system. While alarming, this turbidity is typically not a health concern, and the water maintains its status as water safe for consumption.
Contact your local water provider to investigate any disturbances that coincide with discoloured water in your home. Confirm if temporary sediment water main flushing has occurred so you can pinpoint the cause. Reassure your family that Letting your taps let the cold taps run for 15-20 minutes usually clears tiny air or sediment issues once the external cause is resolved.
If the water still coming to your home remains brown beyond a few hours, it’s improbable that municipal supply disruptions are at fault. Pursue internal plumbing repairs instead. Record details to share with water authorities as evidence that external factors caused initial issues.
Determining the exact cause of your tap water discolouration is crucial to solving the brown water issue. Follow these steps:
It’s essential to accurately identify the reason for brown hot water before starting any repairs. Our specialists are equipped to evaluate all potential factors during a meticulous plumbing inspection, identifying what could leave the water brown through a methodical elimination process.
Should you determine the root cause behind the brown water from your hot taps, call us for solutions that will effectively and permanently resolve the issue:
An extensive flush is necessary to eradicate sediment, minerals, and rust causing brown water. In such cases, we recommend professional water heater cleaning and pipe jetting rather than DIY draining attempts. This blasts away years of accumulation to restore your system.
We recommend replacing severely corroded galvanised steel pipes to stop leaching iron into your water permanently. Or, consider epoxy pipe relining that can rectify damage and envelop pipes to forestall any further corrosion—putting a stop to issues of grime coming your way.
If your system is over 8-12 years old, corrosion may dictate replacing your outdated water heater with a new model. Your local plumber will handle safe disposal and installation.
For water authority disruptions stirring sediment, run taps for 15-20 minutes after issues end to flush supply lines. Document occurrences as proof should the problem persists after several days.
In most cases, combining solutions such as pipe relining alongside water heater upgrades and professional flushing provides a comprehensive fix to restore hot water flow and quality long-term. Contact our team today to tailor the right solutions for your home.
Regularly flushing your water heater removes sediment and keeps the water from your tap clear. This essential maintenance should be done annually or more often with hard water.
Follow these steps for DIY water heater flushing to ensure cleanliness at all tap outlets:
Take precautions against burns from hot water splashes when initially opening the drain valve. If flushing fails to adequately clean sediment or you have other issues with the water coming out, call us to schedule professional water heater servicing.
If your home has galvanised steel pipes that are severely corroded, full replacement is often the most reliable solution to stop ongoing issues with brown water and blocked flow. Accumulated rust in your old pipes not only tarnishes your water supply but could also pose health risks, raising questions about whether the water is safe to drink.
Our licensed plumbers conduct complete pipe installations using materials resistant to corrosion, directly resolving your tap water issues. We utilise modern polyethylene or copper pipes designed for longevity. By switching your internal water lines, we can completely remove the contamination source and upgrade ageing infrastructure.
For cases where pipe access is difficult without major demolition, epoxy relining is a pipe restoration process that coats damaged pipes internally to seal leaks and block further corrosion. Combining pipe relining with a water heater upgrade provides a comprehensive modernisation that enhances your water quality.
Eventually, what do you consider as a course of action if your water remains brown despite numerous flushing attempts? Weighing up the option of new pipe installation as a lasting solution. Our team handles all repiping work safely with minimal disruption to your home.
Installing a water filter can help screen out sediments, rust flakes and metals that cause brown water issues. Whole home filters, under sink units or water tap attachments provide treatment right at the entry point before water reaches your pipes.
Opt for a filter accredited to screen out contaminants such as iron manganese, lead, and chlorine to ensure unmatched effectiveness. High-capacity filters with sediment pre-filters tend to perform best for stubborn discolouration problems. Although filters need regular cartridge replacement, they significantly enhance the water’s appearance and taste.
An activated carbon filter at your kitchen tap eliminates chlorine and other impurities, delivering cleaner water for use in cooking and drinking. For issues affecting your whole supply, whole home systems are ideal albeit at significant upfront cost.
Once plumbing issues like internal corrosion are separately resolved, a filter gives the added protection to ensure your water remains clear and particle-free for the long term without needing chemical treatment. Professional installation also guarantees correct filter sizing and location.
DIY troubleshooting can resolve basic issues, but if brown water persists despite your best efforts, professional help is often the most efficient solution.
Reach out to our licensed plumber if you experience any of the following issues:
With over ten years of plumbing experience, we’re skilled at diagnosing and fixing the root causes of different types of brown water issues. Our licenced technicians employ precision leak detection and the latest pipe relining techniques to provide reliable solutions.
For more information and assistance, please contact Bexley Plumbing on 1300 349 338 or [email protected].
Brown or rusty hot water is generally caused by sediment buildup inside your hot water system. Flushing the tank may provide temporary relief but doesn’t fix the underlying issue. Call us to properly diagnose and treat the cause of the discolored hot water.
Read MoreIf you detect a gas leak by smell inside your home, the first step is: don’t panic. Calmly ventilate by opening doors and windows, exit the house, turn off the gas supply at the meter and call a licensed gas fitter for immediate assistance. Safety first.
Read MoreIf you detect the smell of gas in your home, evacuate everyone immediately. Do not turn any switches or appliances on or off. Open doors and windows to ventilate, then turn off the gas supply at the meter. Call emergency services from outside before re-entering.
Read MoreBexley, 2207 NSW
We will call back as soon as possible.
