Why Is My Water Brown?

You turn on the faucet and instead of clear water, out comes something brown, rusty, or yellowish. It's unsettling, and we completely understand the concern -- we get calls about this from homeowners across Melbourne, Palm Bay, and Viera more often than you'd think. Let's walk through what causes brown water and what you should do about it.

Brown water doesn't always mean something dangerous, but it's never something you should ignore. Understanding the cause helps you figure out whether it's a quick fix or something that needs professional attention.

Aging or Corroded Pipes

This is the number one reason we see brown water in Brevard County homes. A lot of the houses built in Melbourne, Rockledge, and Cocoa Beach during the 1960s through 1980s still have their original galvanized steel or iron pipes. Over decades, the interior of these pipes corrodes, and rust particles flake off into your water supply.

If your home is more than 30 years old and you haven't had the plumbing updated, corroded pipes are a strong possibility. A professional plumbing inspection can confirm whether corrosion is the culprit. In many cases, repiping -- replacing the old lines with modern copper or PEX piping -- is the long-term solution.

Sediment in the Water Heater

If the brown water only comes from your hot water taps, your water heater is likely the issue. Sediment -- mostly minerals from our naturally hard Florida water -- settles at the bottom of the tank over time. When enough builds up, it gets stirred into the hot water and comes out rusty-looking.

Flushing the water heater tank annually is one of those maintenance tasks that's easy to forget but makes a big difference. If it's been a while since yours was flushed, or if the unit is more than 10 to 12 years old, it might be time for a water heater replacement.

City Water Main Work or Flushing

Sometimes brown water has nothing to do with your home's plumbing at all. The City of Melbourne and Brevard County utilities periodically flush water mains or do maintenance on the municipal supply. When that happens, sediment in the city pipes gets stirred up and temporarily affects the water coming into your home.

If multiple neighbors are experiencing the same thing, that's a strong sign it's a municipal issue. In most cases, the water clears up within a few hours. Run your cold water taps for several minutes to flush it through. If it doesn't clear up within 24 hours, give us a call.

Well Water Contaminants

Some homes on the Space Coast -- especially in more rural areas of Palm Bay and west Melbourne -- use well water instead of city water. Well water picks up iron, manganese, and tannins from the soil as it moves through the ground. These minerals are the most common cause of brown or yellowish well water.

A water filtration system or iron filter can solve this problem. We can help you figure out which type of treatment makes sense for your specific water chemistry.

How to Troubleshoot Brown Water at Home

Before you call a plumber, here are a few things you can check:

• Hot water only vs. all taps: If it's just the hot side, the issue is likely your water heater. If both hot and cold are brown, the problem is in your supply pipes or the city main.
• One faucet vs. whole house: Brown water from a single fixture could mean a localized pipe issue. Whole-house discoloration points to something bigger.
• Run the cold water for 5 minutes: If the water clears up, it may have been a temporary disturbance. If it stays brown, you've got a persistent problem.
• Check with your neighbors: If they're dealing with the same thing, it's probably a city water issue.

Is Brown Water Safe?

In most cases, brown water caused by iron or rust isn't immediately harmful -- but that doesn't mean you should drink it or use it for cooking. Iron bacteria, sediment, and other contaminants can build up to levels that aren't healthy for long-term consumption. It can also stain laundry, fixtures, and appliances.

If you're on well water or your brown water has an unusual smell, we'd recommend getting a water quality test before using it.