It can be quite shocking to turn on your shower or sink and you see discolored water flow out of the faucet. When this happens, many people think it could be rust but water has come out in other colors requiring other possibilities. The color of the water is important because it will be different due to the multiple causes and each cause will require a different solution.

Brown Or Yellow

If you have seen discolored water in your home then chances are it was either brown or yellow. If the discolored water appears when you use the cold and hot water then the problem might be outside the house. Usually, this happens when construction is going on and debris makes it into a water line. If debris gets into the waterline, that could change the color of the water. If you are unsure about any work going on in your city, then you should check with your local government. If that happens to be the cause then the problem should work itself out in a few hours. If only the hot water is discolored then the problem is with your plumbing. If you are not sure, you could consult with a plumber who would be able to identify the cause.

Green

Two different causes could make your water appear Green. Both causes will require a plumber to fix the problem. One possibility is that your pipes have algae in them. Algae could have gotten into your pipes because of a filter that no longer works due to age or a blockage. While there is no reason to worry, it is something you should get fixed as soon as you can. If the problem isn’t because of algae then it means your pipes are made of copper. As copper gets older and receives oxygen, the copper will turn green. The leftover part of those pipes will come out of the faucet by making your water green. Again neither cause is dangerous but you don’t want to drink the water if it is mixed with copper. A plumber will be able to fix both causes.

White

If it looks like milk is coming out of your faucet then that is not a reason to worry either. This is a sign that there is an increase in tiny air bubbles which is caused by a decrease in the temperature outside. When it gets colder outside, that causes bubbles to appear in your water. If this happens then you just have to wait for the temperature outside to warm up.

It’s concerning when you turn on the faucet and see discolored water coming out. However, knowing what is causing the discoloration means you will know how to fix it. If you still are not sure then it is best to consult a plumber about the problem.

 

For more information, contact Vinny’s Jersey Plumbing, located in Wayne, New Jersey.  We also service other towns in New Jersey, such as Franklin Lakes, Bergenfield and Ramsey.