Living in New York City, you have a reasonable expectation that when you turn on the faucet, the water that comes out will be clean, clear, and odor free. So when brown water emerges from the taps, there’s definitely a problem.
As Howard Beach plumbers, we hear this question a lot: why is there brown water coming out of my faucet? The first question we will have in return is did something happen in the neighborhood to disrupt the water supply? Water main breaks and other municipal issues can sometimes cause this type of disruption: you may hear boil water orders for your community during these times.
Common Causes of Brown Water
However, if the brown water issue is isolated to your house, the question then becomes what’s wrong with your pipes. The most common cause of brown water is that the rust that’s accumulated on the inside of the pipes has broken free and entered the water, causing discoloration.
There are a few reasons that the rust can break free from the pipes. One potential cause is a change in water pressure within the pipes. This can happen if there’s been a sudden change in demand for water in the house – for example, you’re using a faucet that hasn’t been used in a while. Water surges caused by nearby construction, municipal water service, or the use of fire hydrants in your area can also contribute to brown water.
How to Get Stop Brown Water from Coming from the Faucets
If you have brown water coming from your faucets, your first remedy is to let the water run for some time and see if the water clears up. This is the easiest, most common solution and is often all that is needed in instances where a faucet has not been used in some time. However, if that doesn’t resolve the issue, it’s time to call your local plumber for assistance.
The most common remedy for persistent brown water issues is having a water filtration system installed. Water filtration systems remove iron oxide – rust – and other particulate matter from your water supply. This means no brown water in your sink, shower, dishwasher or washing machine.
