Is Your Water Quality A Little Off? Common Water Conditions

Brown Colored Water

Brown colored water can be quite scary. Is is mud? What is that! It's definitely not appealing. Brown colored water is caused by mineral deposits. To be more specific, rust. Rust is the by product of oxidation of iron. Since your main water line can be made out of iron, this can be quite common, especially if there has been a disturbance like construction or recent work completed. Usually rust colored water clears on its own, however if it doesn't, then you may have a more serious problem. Brown colored water could also be a sign of a failing water heater. If only your hot water is brown, then there could be excess sediment buildup in your water heater. In which case, you will want to be proactive with repairs. 

Cloudy Water

Cloudy water is another common water condition that can be a bit alarming. It is caused by too many air bubbles in the water. Cloudy water can be caused by too much water pressure. It also occurs more often when it is cold out, as cold water holds more air than warm water. If you fill a glass, and the water is cloudy, wait a few seconds. The water should clear on its own, as the air travels to the top. Cloudy water, while alarming, is harmless. If you suspect there is an issue with your water pressure, contact your plumber to test your PSI.   

Smells and Tastes Like Chlorine

If your water smells and/or tastes like chlorine, it is from the water being treated by the water district. During the water purification process, chlorine is added to the water to kill disease causing bacteria. Unfortunately this doesn’t get filtered out of the water before it reaches your tap. It can cause irritated skin, dry hair, faded clothes, and dry out rubber grommets and seals, not to mention it isn’t pleasant to drink. It is important to note that water treatment facilities add different chemicals to city water throughout the year depending on the season. If you are concerned about the additives being added to your water, consider installing a whole house water filtration system.   

The Smell of Rotten Eggs

If you notice a sulfuric smell or the smell of rotten eggs from your water, it is caused by Hydrogen Sulfide. While it isn’t harmful to drink or bathe in, it can leave an unpleasant smell behind. What’s worse is the corrosive nature of this gas. It can wreak havoc on your pipes and plumbing fixtures. It is important to note if the condition occurs with both hot and cold water, or only hot water, as this could be a sign that there is something wrong with your water heater. In addition, it is also important to make sure the smell is coming from your water and not the drain, as sewer gas can sometimes enter the home through the drain, which also has a very sulfuric smell.   The best way to prevent unwanted water conditions and improve the water quality in your home is to install a whole house water filtration system. There are a lot of contaminants that can enter your water, some from the ground and some occur during the water treatment process. These contaminants can cause an array of issues from unpleasant smelling or tasting water, skin conditions, dry hair, interfere with the effectiveness of soaps and detergents, dingy clothes, and cause premature damage to appliances and your plumbing system. To learn more about water filtration systems contact Rooter Hero today! 

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