If can be worrisome when you turn on a faucet and discoloured hot water comes out. You might automatically think a faulty water heater is to blame, but there are other potential causes and some are more serious than others.
· Corroded water pipes — If your home has galvanized steel water lines and rusty- or brown-tinged water is coming from both the hot and cold water faucets, the discolouration is most likely due to corrosion in the pipes. If this is the case, it’s wise to have a professional plumber assess the situation and advise you whether replacing the pipes is warranted.
· Municipal water supply disturbances — Calgary’s water supply comes from the Bow and Elbow rivers, so cloudiness that doesn’t affect quality can sometimes occur during spring runoffs. When maintenance or repairs are performed on the water mains or the hydrants are flushed, sediment and rust may be disturbed that results in temporary discolouration. If you let your faucets run for 5 or 10 minutes and the water turns clear, the issue was likely caused by a disturbance in the mains.
· Water heater deterioration — Depending on whether you have a natural gas or electric appliance, it may have an expected lifespan of 6 to 10 years. Rust and corrosion can begin to deteriorate the inside of the tank as a water heater approaches the end of its service life, in which case the discoloured water coming from the faucets can be a warning sign that it needs replacement.
· Sediment buildup in the tank — Sediment can accumulate and cause water discolouration even with a newer water heater because Calgary has a hard water supply with high levels of calcium. During the normal heating process, the mineral forms into solids and settles to the tank bottom. If sediment is discolouring the flow from your hot water faucets, draining and flushing the tank twice a year can help. A plumber can handle this chore if you’re not comfortable tackling it yourself.
If you’re experiencing discoloured hot water issues in your Calgary home and need expert help, contact the pros at Arpi’s Industries today.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Calgary, Alberta about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about discoloured hot water and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Guide.
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