If only your hot water is discolored Odds are there is sediment in your water heater tank. To clear things out, drain and flush the tank, let it refill and heat up, then test the water again. If it's still discolored, it's time to call a plumber to take a look.
Possible solutions for rusty hot water
One solution for the rusty hot water is to drain and flush your water heater tank thoroughly through the drain valve. If the heater tank and plumbing system have bacteria, shock therapy with the chlorine, followed by flushing, should be applied.
If Only The Hot Water Is Brown…
If your hot water is brown and the cold water supply looks clear, your water heater is likely to blame. Sediment buildup in the water heater itself can lead to rusty brown water. This problem should be eradicated as soon as possible to prevent your water heater from breaking entirely.
If it's from the hot water only, it could be due to a problem with your water heater. It may require flushing. Rusts on the inside of your tank can cause the water to become brown. This can be remedied by draining and refilling your water heater according to the manufacturer's instructions.
Before leaks start to occur, have your home's water lines inspected by a licensed plumber to determine if they need replacement. Water heater deterioration — If your cold water supply is clear, but the hot water flow has a brown or rusty tinge, the problem may originate in your water heater.
Should we worry about brown water from tap harming us? In terms of whether this water is dangerous for you to use, then no it is not. The brown is from too much iron in the water from the rust. Iron is already present in the drinking water and is not poisonous.
Generally speaking, it's NOT safe to consistently expose yourself to brown, rusty water - drinking or bathing in it for an extended period of time could cause some health issues.
Typically these problems clear up within a couple of hours, but can take as long as several days to return to normal. In temporary situations like this we recommend not using hot water at all if possible, to keep the discolored water from being drawn into your water heater.
Odds are there is sediment in your water heater tank. To clear things out, drain and flush the tank, let it refill and heat up, then test the water again. If it's still discolored, it's time to call a plumber to take a look. This is a sign that the contamination is coming from the main water supply.
Though rusty water may look and taste unpleasant, it is not generally a health concern. Iron in water is not a sign of harmful bacteria or lead, which are hazards. The limits set by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for iron in drinking water are based on aesthetics (taste, odor, color), not safety concerns.
Drinking iron-contaminated water may not make you sick, but bathing in it is very bad for your skin and hair. Every time you shower or your children take a bath, your skin and hair are soaked in oxidized (yellow to red) or unoxidized (still clear) iron.
There are really no downsides to flushing a water heater. Sediment build up causes damage and it is more expensive to leave it than to just flush it out regularly.
Begin the flushing procedure by opening the hot water taps in your bathroom(s). Open ALL hot water sink fixtures, hot water bathtub or shower fixtures. Next, open all other hot water fixtures, such as in kitchens, wet bars, etc. Run all of these hot water fixtures for 15 minutes, then shut the water off.
If you regularly notice brown water inside your toilet bowl, it could be due to hard water mineral buildup. Hard water contains high levels of minerals like magnesium, calcium, and iron that can build up over time inside your pipes and fixtures.
Iron tends to add a rusty, reddish-brown (or sometimes yellow) color to water. If the color is more black than red, your water might contain a combination of iron and manganese. Both of these metals can cause staining of plumbing fixtures or laundry, but they are not known to cause health problems.
A sudden increase in the rate or direction of water flow through pipes can stir up sediment, causing it to become suspended in the water. The sediment makes the water look discoloured but it is harmless and the water is safe to use.
Discolored water and trapped air are common occurrences after a water main break or other water system maintenance work. Discolored water is caused by sediment and mineral deposits in the pipes that can be stirred up when the water is turned off and then back on following work on WSSC Water's water system.
If it is a plumbing issue, brown water may be caused by rusty iron piping. This will need replacing. It might also result from corrosion inside an old hot water system - if it is, the brown water will come only from the hot water tap. In this case, get the unit checked by a plumber.
Sometimes the culprit of dirty water is your hot water heater. If the problem is in the hot water only, it's probably a sign that the hot water heater needs to be flushed or drained, or maybe even replaced. You can contact your plumber to evaluate your hot water heater.
How often should you drain your water heater? It's generally a good idea to drain your water heater at least once a year, according to both BobVila.com and The Family Handyman. If you live in an area with hard water, though, Angie's List says you may need to drain it more frequently.
Open the hot water tank drain valve. Let the water run out the garden hose. This can take 20 to 60 minutes, depending on how big the tank is. Be careful not to damage or break the drain valve when you open and close it.
Most hot water systems are closed systems, which means that there's always water circulating back and forth between the pipes and boiler. Because of this closed system and the fact that most hot water heating systems don't have an automatic purge system, you will need to purge or bleed your system every fall.