What is Causing the Brown Water Coming From Your Tap?

There’s one main culprit behind the brownish hue you might have noticed when you turned on your tap: rust. The water might smell metallic, and the brown color will be reddish. While it’s usually only dangerous for a rare percentage of people with an iron-absorption disorder, it can cause staining on your sinks, tubs, clothing, and dishes.

The experienced plumbers at J Blanton have pretty much seen it all. We can help you locate where it’s coming from and put a stop to it.

Cause #1 - Water Heater

If brown water is only coming out of the hot water tap, your water heater might be aging and rusting. After a couple of minutes, the water should clear up. If it doesn’t clear up, you may need to replace your water heater.

Cause #2 - Corroding Pipes

If you notice brown water coming from both the hot and cold taps, this could indicate your home’s pipes are corroding. If this is the case, the brown color should clear up as the water continues running.

Cause #3 - Public Water System

If you keep running your taps and the brown water is continuous, the source is probably not in your home. Only the local water authority can help.

Cause #4 - Iron Bacteria in Well Water

Sometimes something will cause your well water to “shake up” and rust deposits from somewhere will mix in with the water. This can happen from heavy rains, lightning strikes, nearby earthquakes, or random loosening.

If you notice these signs, however, you could have a more pervasive issue:

• Unpleasant odors and smells: swampy, oily, rotten, or musty.


• Oil-like sheens on the water.


• Slimy red, yellow, brown, or gray deposits.

These signs can indicate you have iron bacteria from parts of your well water system that need replacing. Arrange water testing to diagnose the problem and make a game plan to solve it.

Brown Water Solutions

If the issue isn’t too bad, you will probably be satisfied with a whole-home water filter. Sometimes, you will need a water heater replacement or a call to the local water authority.

Don’t hesitate to call your J. Blanton plumber at (773) 724-9272 if you need guidance or service. We can help!