Common Causes of Brown Water (And What You Can Do About It)

Turning on your tap only to have icky brown water come out is disgusting. There are a couple of different causes of brown water, and not all of them require that you call a Calgary plumber, but some do. It’s essential to know the common causes of brown water, what you can do about it, and when you need to call a plumber in Calgary.

Mineral Disturbances

The most common explanation for having brown water is an excess of minerals or sediment in the water. These naturally occur in both the water and in your pipes, but they can become dislodged and discolour your water occasionally. If you’ve had construction done on your home or its main water line or if there’s construction going on nearby, that could cause a disturbance that dislodges the minerals in your pipes and water, turning the water brown.

Typically, if this is the cause of the brown water, then it will usually correct itself within a few hours. However, if that isn’t the case, you’ll need to call a Calgary plumber to diagnose the issue and repair the cause.

Rusty Pipes

Another potential cause of brown water is if your pipes are rusty. Although plumbing generally has a long lifespan, there’s always the chance of corrosion occurring. If the corrosion within your plumbing system gets bad enough, then the rust can extend into the interior of your pipes and cause the water in your home to take on a brown colour.

If this is the cause of brown water, then it will only worsen with time, and, eventually, your pipes will corrode to the point that they’ll begin leaking. You will need to hire a plumber to investigate the problem and repair your pipes if rusty pipes are causing brown water in your home.

Call a Plumber in Calgary

If brown water in your home persists for longer than a few hours, you will need to call in a Calgary plumber to investigate and fix the problem at its source. This is particularly so if your pipes are corroded because a leak can lead to expensive repairs down the line if left untreated.

Having brown water isn’t necessarily a cause for alarm, even though it can feel like it. If the problem doesn’t resolve itself, you’re going to need a local Calgary plumber. My Calgary Plumber is your local plumbing expert. Give us a call today if you’ve got brown water!