🟤 Troubleshooting Guide: Brown or Rusty Water? Here’s What It Could Mean
Turned on the tap and noticed brown, orange, or rusty water?
Whether it’s coming from just one faucet or the whole house, discolored water is never a welcome sight—and it could mean something’s up with your plumbing, water heater, or supply lines.
Here’s what you can check first, and when it’s time to call in the experts at HI-FLO WATER AND SEWER.
Whether it’s coming from just one faucet or the whole house, discolored water is never a welcome sight—and it could mean something’s up with your plumbing, water heater, or supply lines.
Here’s what you can check first, and when it’s time to call in the experts at HI-FLO WATER AND SEWER.
✅ Step 1: Check Where It’s Coming From
Is the brown water coming from:
• Just the hot water tap? Your water heater may be the culprit.
• All taps, hot and cold? It could be from the main water line.
• Only one faucet? The issue may be localized to that fixture or supply pipe.
🔍 Noticing it in just your toilet or bathtub? Sometimes sediment settles in low-flow fixtures first.
• Just the hot water tap? Your water heater may be the culprit.
• All taps, hot and cold? It could be from the main water line.
• Only one faucet? The issue may be localized to that fixture or supply pipe.
🔍 Noticing it in just your toilet or bathtub? Sometimes sediment settles in low-flow fixtures first.
✅ Step 2: Run the Water for a Few Minutes
• Let the cold water run for about 5–10 minutes.
• If it clears up, it may have been temporary sediment stirred up by:
o City maintenance
o A fire hydrant or water main break nearby
o Sudden high demand in your area
🚰 Still discolored after flushing? It may be coming from inside your plumbing system.
• If it clears up, it may have been temporary sediment stirred up by:
o City maintenance
o A fire hydrant or water main break nearby
o Sudden high demand in your area
🚰 Still discolored after flushing? It may be coming from inside your plumbing system.
✅ Step 3: Hot Water Only? Check the Water Heater
If only your hot water looks rusty or brown:
• Your water heater may have internal corrosion or sediment buildup.
• It could also be a failing anode rod (a sacrificial part that prevents rust).
🧯 A quick water heater flush might help—but if the tank is older, it could be time for a replacement.
• Your water heater may have internal corrosion or sediment buildup.
• It could also be a failing anode rod (a sacrificial part that prevents rust).
🧯 A quick water heater flush might help—but if the tank is older, it could be time for a replacement.
✅ Step 4: Check for Pipe Corrosion
Older homes with galvanized steel pipes often develop internal rust that flakes off into the water.
Signs include:
• Brown or orange tint that appears after sitting overnight
• Low water pressure from narrowed, corroded pipes
• Staining in sinks, tubs, or laundry
🛠 If your plumbing is old, it may be time to repipe part or all of your system.
Signs include:
• Brown or orange tint that appears after sitting overnight
• Low water pressure from narrowed, corroded pipes
• Staining in sinks, tubs, or laundry
🛠 If your plumbing is old, it may be time to repipe part or all of your system.
✅ Step 5: Is It Coming from the City?
If neighbors are also experiencing discolored water, it’s likely an issue with the municipal water supply.
Common causes:
• Pipe maintenance or flushing
• A main break introducing sediment
• Switching water sources or treatment changes
📞 You can contact your local water utility to report or confirm any recent maintenance.
Common causes:
• Pipe maintenance or flushing
• A main break introducing sediment
• Switching water sources or treatment changes
📞 You can contact your local water utility to report or confirm any recent maintenance.
✅ Step 6: Is the Water Safe to Use?
While rusty or brown water often looks worse than it is, you should avoid drinking, cooking, or washing laundry with it until it clears.
• It may stain clothes or dishes
• In some cases, it can indicate high levels of iron or manganese, which aren't toxic but still undesirable
• If there's an unusual smell or taste, it's best to avoid using the water and call for a professional inspection
• It may stain clothes or dishes
• In some cases, it can indicate high levels of iron or manganese, which aren't toxic but still undesirable
• If there's an unusual smell or taste, it's best to avoid using the water and call for a professional inspection
🧠 What Can You Do Long-Term?
If this happens often, you don’t have to just live with it.
Here are some solutions we can help with:
• Water heater maintenance or replacement
• Whole-house or under-sink filtration systems
• Replacing old, rust-prone pipes
• Sediment filters and flush valves for problem areas
Here are some solutions we can help with:
• Water heater maintenance or replacement
• Whole-house or under-sink filtration systems
• Replacing old, rust-prone pipes
• Sediment filters and flush valves for problem areas
📞 Call HI-FLO WATER AND SEWER—We’ll Clear Things Up
If you’re seeing brown or rusty water, don’t wait for it to get worse or damage your fixtures. Our team can inspect, diagnose, and solve the problem quickly—from water heater flushing to full pipe replacement.
Why Homeowners Trust HI-FLO WATER AND SEWER:
• Water heater experts—flushes, repairs, and replacements
• Camera inspections and pressure tests
• Water filter and softener installs
• Whole-home repiping and corrosion solutions
• Straightforward pricing and no upsell pressure
• Camera inspections and pressure tests
• Water filter and softener installs
• Whole-home repiping and corrosion solutions
• Straightforward pricing and no upsell pressure
We’ll get your water clean, clear, and safe—the way it should be.
Rusty water isn’t just ugly—it’s a warning sign. Let’s fix it.
HI-FLO Water & Sewer