You’re all ready to begin your day with your traditional routine, only to be treated to an unsettling sight upon the first use of your faucet. Whether your water is murky brown, rusty looking, or even filled with noticeable particles, we can totally sympathize with the unpleasantness of being greeted by anything other than completely clear water. Luckily, it’s quite possible that the situation isn’t as bad as it looks. Let’s take a look at the most common causes of your water suddenly looking dirty overnight.
Local Plumbing Maintenance
Just as the plumbing inside your home needs occasional service, so does the plumbing system of your town or city. Throughout the water line maintenance process, changes in water pressure may disturb settled sediment, dirt, and rust particles and ultimately cause them to enter the water supply. Sometimes the end of the line just happens to be your spigot! Luckily, this isn’t the worst issue you can run into, as it should resolve itself within a few hours!
Water Main Leak
The situation surrounding your main water line slowly changes over time. Perhaps shifts within the earth’s surface cause a slight leak. Maybe the pipe finally gave in after resisting pressure from tree root growth over the years. In any case, water main leaks do happen! When they do, dirt and debris are sure to start making their way into your water supply. As such, be sure to have a plumber inspect your water main as quickly as possible to prevent further damage or contamination.
Pipe Corrosion
Was your home built prior to the 1960’s? If so, there is a high chance your pipes were constructed with galvanized steel. Over time, these pipes may begin corroding from the inside and revealing water with that pesky rust appearance. This is typically a sign that it is time to invest in new plumbing pipes for the safety of you and your loved ones.
Water Heater Corrosion
We certainly don’t want corrosion to take place inside our water heater, apart from one exception: the anode rod. This aluminum or magnesium rode actually attracts corrosion in order to keep the water heater itself from corroding. Once the rod wears out, however, it can no longer perform its function and corrosion may begin to build up inside the water heater. When this occurs, rusty water is an expected result. If you think your hot water heater may be affected by corrosion, try to determine whether the rusty colored water only comes out when the hot water is activated. If so, you have likely located the source of your issue!
Dealing with Dirty Water Coming from Your Spigot in Harford or Baltimore County, MD? Coldwright Can Handle the Job!
At Coldwright Plumbing and Heating, we have the experience and qualifications to solve your plumbing and heating issues quickly and effectively. We serve the towns of Joppa , Abingdon , Fallston , Belcamp , Forest Hill , Bel Air , Aberdeen , Baldwin , Hunt Valley , Kingsville , White Marsh , Towson , Fulton , Middle River , Perry Hall and more! Give us a call at 443-787-9844 or request a quote online!
