If you live in an area known for its rust or have older plumbing and fixtures, then chances are you have experienced rusty water from your tap. You turn on the water to brush your teeth and there it is: A sink filled with brown, rust-coloured water that makes you wonder if the Flintstones really did live in a modern world. Not only does this look bad, but it also tastes bad. Unfortunately, just like most things in life, drinking or cooking with rusty water can lead to some serious health problems. Don’t panic just yet! In this article, we’ll show you how to determine whether the source of the problem is coming from inside or outside your house and how Plumber Scoresby will help you to fix it.
Check your neighbour’s water.
One of the most obvious things you can do is to check your neighbour’s water. If your neighbour’s tap has rusty water, then there is a good chance that it is coming from your tap too. Similarly, if their water is clear, it’s probably not coming from you.
If you find that both taps have rusty water but one side of the house uses less pressure than another (e.g., in winter), then it may simply be that there’s sediment building up inside the pipes and restricting the flow through one set of pipes more than another set.
Look for rusty areas in the house and test each fixture.
If you’re determined to find the source of your rusty water, here are some things you can check.
- Check the water pressure. If it’s low, there may be a leak somewhere in your system or something blocking the water flow through your pipes. This could be a simple clog that you can fix yourself or a more serious problem that will require professional Plumber Scoresby to repair.
- Test all of your fixtures for leaks: faucets and showerheads should produce a steady stream when turned on—if they don’t, chances are good that they’re leaking and need to be replaced. Do this with both hot and cold water separately so as not to confuse them; if the hot side is fine but not the cold side, then there’s likely an issue with one part (or several) of your plumbing system rather than just an isolated part failing on its own accord without any prior warning signs showing up beforehand (and which would thus require fixing).
Clean the aerator.
If you’ve tried all the above steps and your tap water still tastes rusty, it’s time to clean the aerator.
Aerators are small attachments on many faucets to improve flow rate and water pressure. The aerator is usually placed on top of your faucet and has a screen inside through which water flows. This design allows easy cleaning—simply remove the aerator from your faucet by unscrewing it with a coin or screwdriver, then remove any buildup in its interior with a stiff brush. Afterwards, rinse out any remaining debris with warm water and replace your aerator onto the faucet (make sure you put it into place facing downward).
Once you’ve cleaned off any rust or other buildup in your aerator, try running some fresh cold water through it to see if this makes a difference in your taps’ taste or smell!
Flush the water heater.
If you have a gas water heater, the best way to flush it is by turning off the gas valve and draining out all the water. You can do this by opening a faucet at the bottom of your tank and letting it empty out. If you have an electric or tankless system, turn off the power before Plumber Scoresby arrives.
After flushing and draining your heater, check for rust stains on pipes that connect to your heater—these pipes are typically located near where hot water comes out when you turn on a faucet. They’re also usually connected with other plumbing components like traps and drains that might have accumulated sediment over time (especially if no one has been checking them regularly).
Conclusion
Thanks for reading! If rusty water continues to be a problem, it may mean there is a more serious issue in your piping. If that’s the case and you live in an area where the water quality is poor, consider investing in a water filter system.