Why Dirty Water Is Pouring Out of Your Bathtub Faucet in Eastlake, OH

It’s been a long day, and you’re eager to dip into a hot, steamy bath and soak your worries away. When you turn on the faucet, though, you’re greeted by dark brown water and a nasty odor. You’re definitely not keen on that nice bath anymore!

Why is dirty water coming out of your bathtub faucet? Brown water can pour from your faucet for a number of reasons, which we’ll explain in detail below. If you need plumbing service, call us now to schedule an appointment with a trusted plumber in Eastlake, OH.

Is Brown Water Dangerous?

Before we get into the reasons why dirty water is pouring out of your faucet, let’s address the safety of discolored water. Most people are naturally alarmed when they see rust-colored water gushing from their bathtub faucets. From a safety standpoint, is brown water something to worry about?

Brown water typically results from rust, dirt, or sediment in your pipes. Surprisingly, this water is perfectly safe to drink and bathe in. However, rusty water could stain your skin and hair, so you should probably avoid bathing in it until our plumbers fix the problem.

In some cases, water may turn brown because of a sewage backup or leak. If this happens, you’ll certainly know it—the smell is nearly unbearable. Water contaminated with sewage is not safe to drink or shower with, so you’ll need to call an emergency plumber immediately.

Why Is Dirty Water Coming Out of Your Bathtub Faucet in Eastlake, OH?

Why is dirty water coming out of the bathtub faucet? There are quite a few reasons why this can happen. Some causes of dirty water will resolve themselves, while others require attention from a plumber. Here are the most common causes of brown water.

The City Is Working on Water Lines

Take a peek out your window. Do you see city employees working on the water line? If so, that’s likely the culprit behind your brown water.

All homes in your neighborhood are connected to a main sewer line, and it’s the city’s responsibility to maintain this line. When the city of Eastlake works on the line, it can trigger pressure changes that cause loose sediment and rust particles to make their way into your home’s water.

Usually, the brown color will go away after a few hours. If it doesn’t, you might need to call a plumber.

Your Pipes Are Corroding

Pipe corrosion is another big cause of brown-colored water. Corrosion is mostly a problem in older homes, especially with metal pipes that haven’t been updated in decades. Chlorine and chemicals in the water can cause metal pipes to break down and turn your water brown. If this is your problem, you might notice your home’s water gradually change colors from yellow to dark brown.

Installing a water filtration system can help slow down metal pipe corrosion. If your pipes are already badly corroded, though, you may need to replace them. Plastic pipes are a good pick because they cannot corrode like metal pipes do.

The Main Water Line Has Cracked

Your home gets its water supply through a main water line that runs below ground and out to the street. If the main water line breaks, soil can get inside and contaminate your home’s water. Earthy-smelling water is a big sign of a main water line break.

Main plumbing lines can break due to shifting foundations, tree root intrusion, or physical damage, such as someone hitting the line with construction equipment. You’ll have to call a plumber to fix the damage.

Main water line repair doesn’t always involve tearing up your yard. You might be a good candidate for trenchless repair, which involves creating another pipe inside the broken one and allowing it to cure.

You Have Hard Water

All water contains some minerals, but hard water is on another level. It contains an excess of minerals such as calcium and magnesium which can cause your water to turn cloudy or brown. When you shower with hard water, you might notice that your skin and hair feel dry or coarse. Hard water can stain laundry, too.

The best solution to hard water is installing a water softener. Water softeners contain resin beads that grab onto minerals in water and prevent them from flowing through your faucets. Our plumbers can easily install a water softener in your home, so call today to learn about your options.

Your Water Heater Is Failing

Many homeowners don’t think about their water heaters until they break down completely, but that’s a mistake. Your water heater needs maintenance, just like the rest of your plumbing system. Without regular maintenance, sediment buildup can form in the unit. This can cause your water to turn brown and the water heater to eventually fail.

Your water heater might also need a new sacrificial anode rod. This part safeguards the unit from rust by corroding in its place, hence the name. Sacrificial anode rods usually last for up to five years. If yours is degraded, the water heater can start to corrode and turn your water brown.

A plumber can tell you whether repairing the water heater is worth it. In some cases, it’s better to replace the unit with a new one. Although this can be expensive, modern water heaters are much more efficient than they once were. You could save a bundle on your utility bills by upgrading to a newer model.

Why Is Dirty Water Coming Out of Your Bathtub Faucet? Call Our Experts in Eastlake, OH, To Find Out

Why is dirty water coming out of your bathtub faucet? The culprit could be anything from a failing water heater to corroding pipes. Hiring a plumber from Formica Plumbing and Sewer Co. is the best way to know what’s causing that brown water. We can check your pipes for leaks, test for hard water, inspect your hot water heater, and more.



Call us today to schedule a plumbing inspection in Eastlake, OH, or keep reading to discover the signs of bad plumbing pipes.