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How Do You Fix Rusty Water?

You’re feeling a little parched and go to pour yourself a nice, crystal-clear cup of … dirty, red water?! Rusty water isn’t just yucky to look at. It can also affect your skin, your plumbing fixtures and your clothes.

This May Also Interest You: What Causes Water to Turn Brown or Yellow?

Luckily, there are several ways you can deal with the problem yourself, and professionals are standing by just in case you need expert assistance.

Signs There’s Rust in Your Water or Pipes

The biggest sign that you have rusty water is having reddish water coming out of your faucets. Rusty water can also be a fainter yellow color — the more rust there is, the darker the color will be.

Rusty pipes may also cause:

  • Water with a strange odor similar to rotten eggs
  • Water with a strong metallic and/or salty taste
  • Water that’s cloudy or has visible rust particles/chunks
  • Low water pressure as rust builds up, clogs pipes and connections and restricts water flow

Is Rusty Water Harmful?

Drinking rusty water is gross — that telltale smell and taste is highly unpleasant. But it can also cause other issues. Rust in water lines can lead to:

  • Staining where the water hits the bottom of a sink, shower or tub and pools
  • Staining of clothes and plumbing fixtures
  • Skin issues, such as excessive dryness, rashes or contact dermatitis
  • Change in hair sheen and texture
  • Off-tasting food, if you cook or wash produce with rusty water

A small amount of rusty water isn’t typically a major health concern. But there’s some evidence that rusty water can facilitate the growth of Legionella, the bacteria responsible for a serious respiratory illness called Legionnaire’s disease. Rusty water can also be dangerous if someone ingests enough heavily tainted water to accumulate a buildup of heavy metals inside their body.

Can You Fix Rusty Water on Your Own?

It’s possible to tackle the cause of rusty water on your own. There are a few easy ways to clear up your water and cleanse rusty pipes, depending on the severity and root cause of the issue:

Use a Specialized Water Softener

An ion exchange water softener relies on a special chemical process that swaps out hard minerals in your water for “softer” ions. This typically involves a resin bead-filled filter. Those beads are loaded with potassium and sodium that react to minerals like iron and trap them, leaving cleaner water to keep flowing through.

Install a Filter

There are also filters that can be attached to your main water supply to remove rust particles before the water hits your taps. These filters come in different pore sizes, so get professional advice — and you may also need pro installation — as to which size will give you the best results.

Flush or Replace Your Water Heater

If a rusty water heater is affecting your water quality, you can try draining it and flushing out any debris at the bottom of the tank. In fact, experts recommend flushing out your water heater at least once per year, which can keep rust from building up in the first place. If the unit is still rusty after you clean it out, it may be time to swap the old water heater for a new one.

Flush Out Your Pipes

Sometimes, turning on water lines after the system has been dormant for a while can kick up some sediment. The same goes for water lines activated after you’ve attached a new water supply. In both cases, simply running your taps wide open for a few minutes can get rid of the rust and give you beautifully clear water.

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How Does a Professional Fix Rusty Water?

If your rusty water problem is severe and you can’t fix it using the DIY methods above, it may be time to call in a professional who can use techniques that require licensing and pro-level equipment. An experienced plumber can:

  • Install the new ion exchange water softener suggested earlier
  • Upgrade your home to a whole-house water filtration system that has multiple spots where traps filter water and remove impurities
  • Introduce an air-injection system that uses pockets of air to filter out dissolved iron
  • Replace old or broken steel and cast-iron plumbing that’s more susceptible to corrosion
  • Investigate to see if the rust is coming from the main water line (which may be your responsibility or the responsibility of the water company or local government, depending on where you live and what part of the main is affected)

There can be a certain level of frustration and a definite ick factor involved when your taps shoot out rusty water. But with so many quick fixes in play and expert assistance around the corner, you can get back into the flow ASAP.

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