Troubleshooting
Rusty or Brown Water From the Tap: What It Means
Brown or rusty water is usually sediment or corrosion, from the water heater if it's hot-only, or from the supply line, a main break, or (on wells) iron if it's both hot and cold. Run the cold tap a few minutes. If it clears, it was stirred-up sediment.
What to do right now
- Run the cold tap for a few minutes. If it clears, it was stirred-up sediment (often after a main flush or fire-hydrant use nearby) and isn't a plumbing fault.
- Check hot vs. cold: if it's only hot water that's discolored, the water heater is shedding sediment or its anode rod is failing. Flushing the tank usually fixes it.
- If both hot and cold stay discolored, especially on a well, have the water tested for iron and sediment before drinking it.
Likely causes
- Hot-only: sediment or a corroding anode rod in the water heater
- Both hot and cold: disturbed sediment in the main or a city line flush
- Well water: iron or manganese needing treatment
- Old galvanized pipe corroding from the inside
When to call a pro
If the quick fixes do not solve it, this is usually a water softeners & filtration job. Liberty dispatches 24/7 with upfront pricing.
Rusty or Brown Water From the Tap: What It Means, FAQ
- Is brown tap water safe to drink?
- Sediment and iron aren't usually dangerous but shouldn't be ingested in quantity, and discoloration can hide other issues, so have it tested, especially on a well, before you rely on it.
- Why is only my hot water brown?
- That points to the water heater, sediment settling in the tank, or a corroding anode rod. Flushing the tank typically clears it. A heavily scaled tank may be near the end of its life.
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