Brown tap water usually means rust, sediment, or minerals have gotten into your water supply. The cause could be old pipes, hard water, a corroding water heater, construction nearby, or a damaged well. Most causes are fixable, but a few mean you should stop drinking the water right away.
If the water coming out of your faucet is brown in Radnor, PA, MVP Plumbing Repair, Water Filtration & Softeners can help. We run a full inspection to find the source, then give you upfront pricing on the fix.
Key Points
- Brown tap water usually comes from rust or sediment, not sewage.
- Brown water from the hot tap only often points to a corroding water heater.
- Hard water can discolor water and leave brown or reddish stains in sinks, toilets, and showers.
- Don’t drink brown well water or any brown water that smells like sewage.
- Construction near your home can cause discoloration that clears on its own.
Why Is the Water Coming Out of My Faucet Brown?
Brown tap water in Radnor, PA usually comes from minerals, rust, or sediment in your plumbing system. Unless the water smells foul, sewage is an unlikely cause. The EPA’s secondary drinking water standards list iron as a cause of rusty color and manganese as a cause of black to brown color. These are the five most common causes of rusty water from a faucet.
1. Old, Corroding Pipes
Old galvanized iron pipes are a frequent cause of brown tap water in older homes. Galvanized iron lasts for years, but the pipes eventually corrode and break down. Rust particles from corroding pipes then end up in your tap water.
The service pipe can also be the problem. The service pipe connects your home’s plumbing to the main distribution system, and a damaged service pipe lets sediment and rust into your water.
If old pipes are behind your brown water, ask a plumber about repiping your older home.
2. Mineral Buildup in Your Pipes
Mineral buildup from hard water can change the color of tap water in Radnor homes. Many Pennsylvania cities have hard water problems, and Radnor is no exception. Hard water carries excess minerals such as calcium and magnesium, and you may also see brown or reddish stains in sinks, toilets, and showers.
A water softener installation is the most direct way to treat hard water. Most water softeners remove calcium and magnesium ions and replace them with sodium ions.
3. A Rusty Water Heater
A corroding water heater often causes brown water from multiple taps. Water heaters contain a part called an anode rod, which attracts mineral particles to prevent the tank from rusting. Anode rods only last about five years, and once the rod wears out, the water heater tank can start to corrode.
A corroding tank can’t be repaired, so replacement is the only option. Our water heater installation and repair team can confirm whether the tank is the source.
4. Construction Work Near Your Home
Construction near your home can cause brown tap water even when your plumbing is fine. Call your city to ask about nearby construction work and whether the water is safe to drink.
Discoloration from construction should clear up on its own shortly. If it doesn’t, call a plumber for help.
5. Rainwater in Your Well
A damaged wellhead can let rainwater, dirt, and bacteria into a private well and turn the water brown. Many Radnor homeowners own private wells. The wellhead keeps surface rainwater out of your home’s water supply, so damage to it puts the whole supply at risk.
If your well water turns brown, do not drink it. Brown well water can make you and your family seriously ill.
Is Brown Tap Water Safe to Drink?
Brown tap water may or may not be safe to drink, depending on the cause. Water discolored by sediment or minerals is unlikely to hurt you in small amounts.
Brown water from a private well is not safe to drink, since it can carry dangerous bacteria. Never drink brown water that smells like sewage.
When in doubt, stop drinking the water and ask a plumber for advice. A free water testing service is a simple way to find out what’s in your water before you decide on a fix.
How Can You Tell Where Brown Water Is Coming From?
A quick tap check narrows down the source of brown tap water before you call a plumber:
- Hot Tap Only: Brown water from the hot side only usually points to the water heater.
- Every Tap, Hot and Cold: Discoloration throughout the house often means corroded pipes, a damaged service pipe, or a supply issue.
- One Faucet Only: A single brown tap usually points to the pipe or fixture that feeds that faucet.
- Neighbors Too: If nearby homes have brown water, construction or city water work is the likely cause, not your plumbing.
What Should You Do When Brown Water Comes Out of the Tap?
- Stop drinking the water until you know the cause.
- Run the cold tap until the water clears. Water that clears quickly often points to a temporary cause.
- Hold off on laundry, since rusty water can stain clothes.
- Ask neighbors or your water supplier about construction or water main work nearby.
- Call a plumber if the water stays brown, keeps coming back, or smells foul.
Get Brown Tap Water Fixed in Radnor, Pennsylvania
Still wondering, “Why is my water brown?” The MVP team will inspect your pipes, water heater, and water supply to find what’s causing your rust-colored water. Then we walk you through your options with upfront pricing.
Call us or contact our team today to schedule service in Radnor.