Three Reasons Why Rusty Water Is Coming From Your Faucet in Radium Hot Springs, British Columbia

You head to your kitchen sink to fill your glass with cool tap water after a long, hot day of lawn maintenance. As your glass fills, you notice the rusty water from the faucet has a reddish-brown hue. Not only is this unappetizing, but you also wonder whether it’s dangerous. 

High Point Plumbing, Air Conditioning, and Heating Repair is your trusted source for plumbing services in Radium Hot Springs, BC. Below, we detail why your tap water looks rusty and whether you should be concerned.  

Is Your Rusty Water Supply in Radium Hot Springs, British Columbia, Safe?

Contamination is a part of the historical plumbing timeline. From cholera outbreaks to lead pipe usage, engineers and innovators from past years have adapted plumbing infrastructure to protect water supplies by preventing harmful substances from infiltrating pipe systems. Yet, even with our advanced, modern technology, you can still end up with discoloured tap water.

Rusty water from the faucet isn’t inherently dangerous under most circumstances. Modern pipes do not contain particularly hazardous metals. You can bathe in and drink your supply unless warned otherwise. So, what causes the tap water to be rusty? 

Why Does Rusty Water From a Faucet Occur?

Rusty water generally takes on a brown or red colour, which can startle Radium Hot Springs residents expecting crystal-clear, thirst-quenching liquid. So, what are the primary causes of rusty water from residential or commercial fixtures in British Columbia? Rust develops when iron minerals come into contact with water and air.

This meeting causes oxidation, which turns pure iron into iron oxide. Now, most supply pipes in Radium Hot Springs, British Columbia, are made from copper or PVC blends. Although copper is a metal like iron, it doesn’t technically rust. 

Copper still oxidizes, which creates copper oxide. So, the rusty water from your faucet might actually be CuO rather than Fe2O3. This substance may also take on a brownish colour that resembles true rust in your water supply. But what causes it? 

#1 Local Water Main Exposure

Do both hot and cold taps produce brown tap water? If so, the issue likely occurred outside of your home. Municipal water mains connect all individual properties to the local fresh water supply. If a main near you broke or a utility company opened it, it might disrupt oxidized materials and transport them to your faucet. 

These events are not generally a cause for concern. However, we recommend checking for boil-water advisories in your area, just in case contamination occurs. Otherwise, you can continue with business as usual. 

#2 Water Heater Corrosion

Does the issue only happen when you use the hot tap? That means your water heater probably needs repair or replacement services in Radium Hot Springs, British Columbia. Many modern water heater tanks are made of iron materials, which can oxidize into true rust.

As the water heats, cools, empties, and refills, it gradually corrodes the tank’s interior. Add minerals often found in hard water to the equation, and you’ve got a diverse variety of sediment in tap water supplies flowing from the water heater. Therefore, hot, rusty water from the faucet may indicate that you need High Point Plumbing, Air Conditioning, and Heating Repair’s water heater services. 

#3 Rusty Pipes or Fixtures

Finally, rusty pipes on your property can oxidize and colour your water supply. If your home was built before the 1970s, it’s more likely to feature iron supply pipes, which produce true rust. However, more often than not, you have copper pipes that can still corrode without producing true rust. 

Corroded pipes aren’t the only plumbing components that may colour your water. Old faucets made of galvanized steel or iron are potential culprits, too. However, commercial properties use such fixtures more commonly than residential ones. 

How To Remedy or Prevent Rusty Water

If you’re currently dealing with rust-coloured water confined to your property, talk with a plumber about fixing or replacing the plumbing components responsible for the discoloration. You can also implement the following plumbing maintenance services:

• Plumbing inspections to identify aging fixtures, pipes, and other components.
• Water softener installation to eliminate minerals and other sediment.
• Water filtration for capturing more organic materials.