When you flush, what happens to the toilet is the one that fills up the bowl, and it is coming out discolored or brown? Do you notice this only within your toilet and it’s not coming from any other faucets (shower/sinks/etc.) throughout your house? We are all dependent on water to meet our daily requirements. This is why it’s difficult when there is a problem with the water supply. While water that is unusually colored could be alarming, there ought to be no reason for worry.
The water in your toilet is most likely to be safe and not poisonous but you may have a problem in your home. It could be because of the rusted pipe. A quick visit from a plumber is likely to swiftly resolve the issue. It’s best to resolve the issue as soon as possible prior to it getting more severe later.
We can help you find the cause and offer a solution prior to the situation getting worse. We’ll go over some of the reasons your water could be turning to brown color and the ways you can do to fix it.
What Causes Brown Water In Toilet?
Insufficient Water Discharge
Before you go on, flush your toilet once again. Sometimes, you might have a large amount of residue that is going to go away. One flush may not completely eliminate the residual waste so the flush cycle should be stopped completely
If you find the smell of toilet water doesn’t be concerned, it isn’t caused by feces. But, you need to find the cause of it.
Rusted Pipes
Since you most likely ruled out residual waste as the cause, the brown water is likely due to a rusty pipe. To determine what is causing the toilet to turn brown first, you must look at other sources of water within your home. Check the water in the tubs, sinks, and any other taps that you have.
Be sure to test both hot and cold water. This is crucial to determining the root of the brown water in toilet.
Examine the shower and taps in the bathroom, and look at the water in the kitchen sink and any other bathrooms you might have. If the water throughout the whole house is stained the issue is not only limited to the toilet. It is a plumbing issue that is affecting the entire house.
Iron in the water is the main reason for brown discoloration.
The primary cause for this is an excess of iron in the water it is possible that the corroded iron pipes. Pipes used prior to 1960 were usually constructed from iron. The pipes that were installed before 1960 may be rusting and the pieces of rust have a tendency to leak into the water supply and change the color.
Another sign of this could be water that smells like metal or rusty staining on your clothes after you have them run through the washer in the washing machine.
A specialist will have come in and evaluated the situation. They might suggest replacement of all the pipes, which can be costly however it is a necessary long-term solution. If you’re lucky enough, it might only be one toilet pipe that connects to your home that requires replacement.
In the short term, you might be able to solve the issue with water additives.
Water Well
If you have a well, the brown color in the toilet tank could also be due to dissolved organic matter. If that’s the situation, the brown hue is usually associated with some kind of sediment.
If you spot one of these issues it is time to examine your well.
You may have a broken or dirty filter for your pump that allows dirt to get into pipes.
There’s a chance that the well itself was broken. If you have recently experienced storms or construction work in the region it could cause brown water.
A dirty well could be hazardous in terms of your overall health. Don’t hesitate to schedule the plumber’s visit to your neighborhood!
Rusted Toilet Parts.
If you’ve tested all the water that flows through your home, but it’s just the brown water in the toilet, you may have a specific problem. It is possible that you are still experiencing an unrusty pipe. It could be because the toilet is connected to an alternative water line to the other faucets you have in your home and the pipe has been damaged and rusted.
It could also be the internal parts of the toilet that have been damaged or rusted. Look at the tank to determine whether there are any apparent components that are damaged or rusted. If there’s nothing visible that is obvious, it’s safe to say that the toilet’s connection to the water or the pipe that supplies water to your bathroom is rusted.
Hard Water Mineral Buildup.
If your new plumbing system isn’t causing your problems, you may have another reason why your toilet water is brown. Clogged sewer pipes can cause brown water in toilet. Hard water minerals could cause clogs in your pipes.
The water can turn brown when manganese or calcium comes in contact with oxygen in the toilet tank. Certain toilet cleaners can allow these minerals to enter your system. These cleaners can build up in your system over time if they are flushed down your toilet.
Blockages can result from these buildups. Blockages can then block water flow through your plumbing. The water becomes clogged up in the toilet bowl, where it turns brown. Your system may be affected by the minerals. They can rust metal parts of your toilet tank and create a thick layer of mineral deposit buildup on it. This sticky surface could trap and hold debris and harden, creating permanent blockages.
These pieces could also fall off, and the hardened chemical debris may float around your system. You may be able to clean your water tank by yourself to fix chemical blockages. It depends on how long you have had the minerals build up. This can make it difficult.
White vinegar can be used to soak the toilet tank components. This could possibly help to break down the mineral deposit buildup.
A Blocked Water Pipe
Somewhere within the system of plumbing pipes, it is possible to be experiencing a blockage in your own water pipe. This could result in particles leaking into your toilet. To clear the obstruction then you’ll have to contact an expert. They’ll have the tools and expertise to remove the blockage.
It is crucial to repair this sewer line blockage in the earliest time possible. Pipes that are blocked may crack or rupture due to the increased pressure. When this occurs, the expense of repairs will be greater than simply getting rid of the blockages today.
Additionally, you will have an unclean mess to tidy up within the plumbing system. The pipes that burst can infuse your home with water which could lead to the development of wood rot, mold, and other issues.
How to Get Rid of Brown Water in Toilet Tank?
It can be annoying to constantly have to see the brown water from the toilet after flushing. The problem can be fixed, fortunately.
You might consider installing a water softening system before calling the plumber. This will remove most of the residue and may resolve your problem quickly.
Water softeners
Water softeners can remove iron and other hard minerals. This can be a great option if you have brown water from all your taps.
Water softeners should only be installed by professionals. Don’t worry, water softeners can be installed by professionals. Water that has returned to its original color is safe for drinking.
Installing a water filter or purifier is a good option if this does not provide assurance.
To determine the severity of the problem, test the iron levels before installing the softener. Iron level testing kits can be purchased at most hardware stores.
A plumber can also test your water. Although this will be more expensive, a professional can provide a more detailed analysis of the situation and more specific results.
There is always the possibility that you might not have done it correctly if you test the water yourself. Cheap tests are also more likely to fail.
Chemical treatments
Chemical treatments can also be used to reduce the levels of iron and bacteria. These chemical treatments can be very effective and inexpensive. However, they are usually less expensive than installing a softener.
High iron levels can cause problems as many filters cannot lower them to safer levels. An aeration system may be necessary if the iron levels are too high.
The iron’s structure will be altered by the aeration system, which makes its molecules larger. This will make it easier to get rid of iron in your water.
Chlorine is often recommended to remove brown water in toilet. Chlorine can kill iron bacteria and make your water safe for drinking water. It won’t take out the iron.
If none of these options work, you can replace all corroded pipes. You will only need to replace the PVC pipes if you have a lot of them.
Other cases may require that all pipes be removed from your home. Although it can be costly to replace the pipes, this is an essential step. Corroded pipes could cause damage to your home’s structure.
How can you prevent pipes from corroding?
If you own PVC pipes and they are corroding, it’s not something to be concerned about. Galvanized steel pipes however will corrode in the near future or sooner.
Utilizing water filtration systems prior to when the problem develops will stop the iron levels from rising. But, the pipes might continue to corrode even without your knowledge.
Maintaining your toilet pipes regularly is the most effective method to extend their life duration.
Is Iron present in Your Water Dangerous?
Although an excessive amount of iron may not be appealing, iron is not a threat in and of itself. The iron can cause issues that could be dangerous but not. If iron is present in the plumbing metal pipes of your home, it may cause discoloration of the toilet bowl. The discoloration could cause stains on the toilet bowl and could encourage the development of harmful bacteria.
Why are my sink and toilet water brown?
Minerals, sediment, or rust that accumulates in the water mains over time is the cause of brown or discolored water. In severe cases of excess iron, you could have iron bacteria, which live and multiply by oxidizing dissolved iron.
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