Recently, a man in China posted photos of his toilet water brown. While looking into the issue, people found out that six different things can cause it: soap scum, hard water buildup on the surface of your tank, rust in its ball valve or handle-pump assembly screws (which are most common), black mold and mildew inside your tank walls or bowl.
The “why is my toilet water suddenly brown” is a question that many people have been asking. It can be caused by 6 different reasons.
There isn’t much worse than a filthy toilet. What happens, though, when your toilet is clean yet the water in it is brown?
The most common cause of brown toilet water is the presence of rust somewhere in your system. The rust in older galvanized pipes may produce colour in your water. It’s also possible that the iron compounds in your water source are high.
While rust isn’t harmful to your health, it may discolor your toilet and encourage the development of harmful germs. We’ll show you how to figure out why your toilet has brown water in it in this post. Rusted galvanized pipes, hard water mineral buildup, a plugged pipe, or a broken well system are some of the causes.
1. Use on a regular basis
Flushing the toilet should be your first step in troubleshooting brown water in the toilet. It’s possible that your toilet didn’t entirely flush its contents, and it has to be flushed again.
If the bowl fills up with additional brown water, you’ve got a bigger issue on your hands.
Rusted Pipes No. 2
Next, examine the color of the water throughout your home. In the bathroom, check the faucets and shower, as well as the water in the kitchen sink and any additional bathrooms you may have.
If your whole house’s water is brown, the issue isn’t limited to your toilet. Your whole home is affected by a plumbing problem. A overabundance of iron in your water is the most probable culprit.
The pipes delivering your water supply are most likely rusted. Pipes that were installed before to 1960 were often constructed of iron. These ancient pipes may be deteriorating, with rusty portions leaking into your water supply and discoloring it.
Other indicators include water that tastes like metal and rust-colored spots on your clothing after washing.
If this is the case, you’re in for a long and expensive path ahead of you. It will be necessary to enlist the help of a professional to assess the situation. They may recommend that you replace all of your pipes, which is costly but important for a long-term fix. If you’re fortunate, all that has to be replaced is a single pipe coming into your house.
You may be able to remedy your issue using water additives in the near term.
Softeners for Water
Softeners for Water and other chemical additives can lower the iron content in your water. They also help to get rid of iron bacteria in your water. This solution will not remove all traces of iron from your system, but, especially if paired with an iron filter, it can be a short-term solution to your rusty pipes.
Chlorine
When employed against iron bacteria, chlorine has been shown to be effective. It causes the bacteria to die and the iron particles to oxidize. It won’t completely solve your rusty pipe problem, but it may be used to destroy iron bacteria in your water in the near run.
3. A Corrupted Well
If you have a well, dissolved organic materials in your well might be causing the brown hue in your toilet. Sediment may be present in the water disclosed. This usually indicates that your well has been harmed in some way. It might have been harmed by a recent storm or landscaping or building.
When wells are damaged, the system’s repairs should be handled by specialists.
4. Toilet Parts That Have Rusted
If you’ve examined all of your water and it’s just the water in your toilet that’s brown, you’ve got a limited problem.
You could still come upon a rusted pipe. It’s possible that your toilet is connected to a separate water line from the rest of your house’s faucets, and that pipe has rusty. It’s also possible that the toilet’s internal components are rusty.
Check the rear tank of the toilet for any evident corroded or broken pieces. If you can’t see anything, you may reasonably conclude that the corroded pipe delivering water to your bathroom is either the toilet’s connection to the water or the pipe delivering water to your bathroom.
5. Mineral Deposition in Hard Water
If you have a modern plumbing system and believe that rusty pipes aren’t the cause of your brown toilet water, there is another possibility. Toilet water that is discolored might indicate blocked sewage lines.
The minerals in hard water might block your pipes. Manganese and calcium make the water brown when they come into touch with the oxygen in your toilet tank. Certain toilet cleansers might introduce these minerals into your system.
Certain cleansers that are flushed down the toilet and into the sewage system might accumulate over time. These clogs have the potential to become blocks. Water flow is restricted throughout your plumbing as a result of the obstructions, and the water backs up into the toilet bowl, where you can see the brown coloring of the water.
The minerals may damage your system by corroding the metal components of your tank, developing a thick layer of buildup on your tank, and creating a sticky surface that might collect and retain further debris, hardening and causing more permanent obstructions. Pieces of these might potentially break off, releasing hardened chemical debris into your system.
You may be able to clean the water tank yourself to clear these chemical clogs. Depending on how long the minerals have been building up in your system, it might be difficult. Soaking the components of your toilet tank in white vinegar is one of the at-home cures. This may help to break down the mineral build-up.
6. A Blocked Drain
You might have a clogged pipe anywhere in your plumbing system. Particles may back up into the toilet bowl as a consequence of this. It’s probable that you’ll need to hire an expert to clear the obstruction. They’ll have the gear and know-how to clean your line effectively.
It’s critical to have this clogged sewage line fixed as soon as possible. The pressure within a clogged pipe might cause it to split or burst open. If this occurs, the cost of repair will be far greater than eliminating the obstructions now.
There will also be a mess in your plumbing system to clean up. Burst pipes may pollute your home with water, resulting in mold development, wood decay, and other problems.
Getting in Touch with an Expert
Unfortunately, most plumbing problems need the assistance of a professional. Those that might generate brown water in your toilet bowl are among them. When you do contact a plumber, feel free to offer the facts about your plumbing system that you’ve gathered on your own. Also, let them know what year your home was constructed and when your plumbing was last serviced.
Is Iron in Your Water a Health Risk?
While a high iron level may be unpleasant, iron is not harmful in and of itself. However, the iron may induce other potentially hazardous issues.
When iron is present in your plumbing, it may stain your toilet bowl. This discolouration may subsequently stain your toilet bowl, allowing hazardous germs to thrive.
Summary
Rust is the most prevalent source of brown toilet water. Your whole plumbing system, or simply the pipes leading to your toilet, may be affected by rust.
A well problem or a clog in your plumbing might also be to blame for the coloring.
Before tackling a job on your own, consult a professional.
You may also be interested in: Why Is My Toilet Gurgling?
The “brown water in toilet after rain” is a question that many homeowners have. It can be caused by 6 different reasons and you should check each of them to see what the issue is.
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