What To Do When Your Tap Water Looks Rusty

February 15th, 2022 | Plumbing, Water Filtration

Moffett Tips & Tricks

Rusty Looking Tap Water?

Naturally, most people like their tap water to look clear, uncloudy, and not tinted yellow. After all, most of your daily functions depend upon access to clean water. Turning on the faucet and seeing that the tap water looks rusty is not ideal for anyone. 

Unfortunately, rusty-looking tap water is a pretty common occurrence, especially in Orange, CA. But that doesn’t mean there’s anything to worry about—at least not when you have nearby plumbers who can come in to perform a plumbing repair service quickly and (sometimes) on the same day you called.


Orange County’s Orange Tap Water

Sadly Orange County residents are not strangers to rusty, discolored tap water, especially those living near Buena Park. The city has received numerous complaints about yellowed, rusty tap water.

What brings on this unwelcome issue? There are many potential causes. For example, rusty sediments can leak into the water supply from old municipal piping. 

Much like the pipes in your home, these setups need to be flushed and cleared of residual mineral deposits that turn your water yellow. 

For the most part, the county took care of the issue in 2019, although they did not replace the rusted piping, which would be the permanent solution. 

If you are still noticing that your tap water looks rusty, your problem is very likely closer to home.

Why Is My Tap Water Rusty?

When different minerals get caught up in the plumbing, they can make water brown or yellow. While this water is not technically dangerous, the smelly, discolored quality of it isn’t exactly pleasant, either. 

Rusty tap water can appear in different ways, depending on the source of the pipe or plumbing issue. For instance, if you only notice the tap water looks rusty when you turn the hot water on, it may be due to a buildup in your water heater tank. If the rust only comes out when you run cold water on certain faucets, it might be due to one specific water supply pipe.

Another potential cause is old pipes in your home. When your pipes get old, they can also corrode and become rusty. This corrosion sometimes leaks out into the plumbing and causes rusty tap water to pour out from your faucets. 

Whatever the case may be, old pipes and plumbing need attention from a professional plumbing service in Orange, CA. 

Where Is The Rusty Water Coming From?

When it comes to rusty water problems, there is always the possibility that an infrastructure issue is a primary cause. (Back to what we were saying earlier.) 

So many cities face massive problems with their outdated infrastructure. Sometimes, it’s hard to tell whether your water problems are within your control to fix. 

Luckily, there’s a simple test you can try to see if the rusty water is coming from your home or the city supply. The results will help you determine whether you need a plumbing repair service as soon as possible! 


Checking for the Source of Your Rusty Tap Water

Simply go to the faucet you noticed the discolored water coming from and:

  • Take a clear glass
  • Fill it with cold water only
  • Check it for discoloration or odor
  • Run water for a few more seconds before turning it off

Next, you can:

  • Take a second clear glass
  • Fill it with hot water only
  • Check it for discoloration or odor
  • Compare both samples

If you noticed that the rusty water cleared up after a few more seconds of running the cold water, or if it only appeared in the hot water source, the issue is likely your home’s plumbing system. 

This is an excellent way to find out whether you need a nearby plumber like Moffett Plumbing & Air to come to your home right away to avoid further damage from corroded pipes or water heaters.

Do I Need Plumbing Repair When My Tap Water Looks Rusty?

If your pipes or water heater create off-colored tap water, you absolutely need a professional plumbing repair service. This gross water is a symptom of corroding and rusting pipes or water heaters, both of which can lead to more costly issues down the road.

Flushing out the rust from your pipes works for a quick fix, but it doesn’t correct the underlying corrosion issues of your home’s plumbing system. Only a professional plumber can safely and correctly fix the problem of rusty tap water by replacing old pipes and parts with new ones.

This repair might sound drastic, but if the rust buildup gets bad enough, your pipes can burst. Exploded pipes are the worst-case scenario for anyone who doesn’t want to deal with a total home plumbing renovation.

In order to stop rusty water (and whatever damage is behind it) in its tracks, a plumber from Moffett Plumbing & Air will come out to your home and replace the rusted pipes and any rusted-out parts of your water heater with new ones. 


Call Your Nearby Plumbers at Moffett Plumbing & Air

Moffett Plumbing & Air makes plumbing repairs easy and hassle-free. You’ve already dealt with enough, and we’re here to ensure that your plumbing service is as fast and efficient as possible. That way, you can go back to living normally.

If you live in Orange County, you’ve had to deal with rusty tap water and every corresponding inconvenience for years, and it was entirely out of your hands. But today, if you notice the tap water looks rusty in your home, you can put a stop to it. Just pick up the phone and call Moffett Plumbing & Air.

Our skilled plumbers are ready to access your home’s plumbing system and fix the issues that lead to rusty tap water in the first place, so you can finally get the fresh, clear water you need and deserve.

The team at Moffett Plumbing & Air is here to bring you quality plumbing repair services. When we’re done, you’ll never have to look at that ugly, orange run-off again! Call us today!

Moffett Plumbing & Air is a full-service, family owned & operated plumbing & HVAC company based out of Orange, CA. Follow our blog for valuable homeowner tips, and updates from your favorite team of plumbing professionals.