The sight of anything other than clear water coming from taps can be terrifying. How does water go from clear to something so discolored and murky? Well, there might be one cause for it. Here is everything you need to know about why your tap water is brown or orange and how you can fix it. An excellent solution to this issue is to install a water filtration system.

Causes Of Brown Or Orange Tap Water

The first thing you want to figure out when you are dealing with orange or brown water is what caused it. Here are the possible causes of discolored well water or tap water.

A Burst Pipe

A lot of the time, leakage in the pipes can cause the water to turn brown, orange, or red. This is actually quite common because water flows through pipes, and if the pipes have a leak or burst somewhere, sediments and even rust particles will get mixed into the water, hence turning the water into a brown or orange liquid that you would not want to drink.

This is actually a sign of a pipe burst, so even though you might not like the appearance of discolored water, it will give you a heads up that you need to change your pipes.

In addition to that, pipe leakages can cause water damage that is a whole another issue to deal with. So, have the plumbing inspected.

Rusty, Corroded Pipes

Another thing that can lead to brown or orange colored water in the taps is rust in the pipes or even old faucets. This is also really common to occur and if you want to confirm whether there is rust in your water, then you will sense a faint smell of iron or metal in the water too.

So, these indicators are great to figure out whether you have rust in your water or not. The rust can go away if you leave the water running, but if it persists, then there is a more serious and rusty (no pun intended) problem in your pipes.

Heavy Metals In The Water

A leakage or corrosion in the pipes can lead to heavy metals in the water, but that’s not the only reason. It’s also possible that the pipes are fine but the water is brown or orange due to heavy metals in it. So, a plumbing inspection and a water test are crucial.

Manganese In The Water

Another element that can cause the water to change color from clear to brown and orange is manganese. This is an element that can find its way into water either through the ground or even through contact with some other materials. In short, when manganese comes into contact with water, it will alter the color of the water and you have to remove it by using a water filter if you want to get rid of the color.

It’s important to note that iron and manganese are common in well water, and you can remove it using methods like oxidation and filtration, a reverse osmosis system, or a water softener system.

Sediment In The Water

If your tap water is more on the brownish side and it is quite muddy and murky, then you need to see if there are sediments in the water or not. Sand and dirt particles can find their way into the water due to various reasons and can cause the water to turn muddy and brown. If you have well water, you should hire an expert to inspect the well.

If you really want to see whether there are sediments in the water or not, you can fill a glass with water and see it against a bright light. You will see suspended sediments in the water and that is proof of the discoloration in the water. A sediment water filter can fix the problem.

Water Heater Issue

If you have a water heater in your house and you turn it on and suddenly the hot water is starting to get discolored, but the cold water is clear and free from any color, then you need to check your water heater. There might be an obstruction in the water heater or rust or any other problem that might be causing the water to turn murky and orange.

How To Fix Brown Or Orange Tap Water?

So now that you know what causes orange or brown colored water, here is what you can do to fix it once and for all.

Fix The Pipes

Firstly, if the cause of your water turning murky and orange is due to rust or a burst in the pipes, then you need to change the pipes at once. If your pipes are really old, then it’s about time that you replace them and get rid of the problem.

However, if the pipe has burst prematurely, then you need to alter the pressure a bit after replacing the burst area or the entire pipe, depending on the damage, and then keep an eye on it from that point onwards.

Run The Water

Sometimes, the orange or brown color in water is temporary and it’s not something that is caused by the intrusion of sediments, but it is simply because the water has been stagnant for too long and it has collected a bunch of sediments that you’re seeing as you run the tap.

If that is the case, then you can leave the water running for a bit. You don’t want to leave the water in full blast, and if you don’t want to waste water, then you can collect the water in a bucket and use it to water your plants or something. A little while later, the water may run clear.

Get Your Water Tested

Before you go ahead and pick water filtration or treatment modes, you first want to see what kinds of impurities are present in the water that you need to remove, so that you can get the perfect water treatment system for your home and not run into any more problems. This is why a water test is important.

Install A Water Filter

Speaking of water filtration and treatment systems, the easiest and most effective way of getting rid of that hideous orange or brown tinge in the water is to get a water filter. A water filter will remove all kinds of sediments, metals, and components from the water – all you need to do is get the right type of water filter after getting the water tested and consulting an expert.

Check Your Water Heater

If the problem of your water being discolored has to do with your water heater, then you need to tackle it first. There are a number of water heater issues that can cause brown or orange water, so it’s better that you call in a professional and let them have a look at your water heater.

They will know what to look at and they will be able to troubleshoot the water heater in no time.

Conclusion

Brown or orange water isn’t exactly an irreversible harm, but it can still be very hard to convince yourself until you see clear water again. So, now you know what you can do to get rid of brown or orange water. The best way to go about is to have your home’s pipes inspected and also get the water tested. After that, fix the pipes if they are corroded or consider whole house water filtration Warren if the test shows contaminants in the water that are not related to the pipe problem.