Turning on the tap and getting brown, orange or rusty water is unsettling. Usually it's harmless iron and sediment, but it tells you something about your plumbing. Here's how to figure out where it's coming from.
Only hot water is brown: the water heater. Sediment and rust inside the tank are being stirred up. A flush may fix it; rust usually means the tank or its anode rod is failing — see water heater repair.
Only cold, or both: the supply pipes or the water source.
If neighbors have it too, the municipality is probably flushing hydrants or had a main break. Run cold water for 10–15 minutes and it usually clears. If it's only your house, look at your own pipes.
Homes built before the 1970s often have galvanized pipes that rust from the inside. Brown water first thing in the morning, lower pressure and periodic leaks are the signature. The permanent fix is repiping with PEX or copper.
A corroded galvanized or iron service line from the street can send rust into the house. Water line replacement solves it — and we replace lead lines too.
Many homes outside Michigan's cities are on wells with high iron. Orange staining in tubs and toilets and a metallic taste go with the brown water. An iron filter or water softener with iron removal is the fix.
Any time water is shut off and turned back on, sediment stirs up. Run cold water at the lowest faucet until it clears.
If brown water persists more than a day, comes with low pressure or affects only your home, call Elite Plumbing and Heating MI at (888) 480-9811. We serve all of Michigan with honest diagnosis and upfront pricing.
Iron and sediment are generally not harmful in small amounts, but don't drink it until it clears. If it persists, have the water tested.
Water sitting overnight in corroded pipes picks up rust. It's a classic sign of galvanized pipe.
A standard softener handles small amounts of iron; higher levels need a dedicated iron filter.
Elite Plumbing and Heating MI serves every city in Michigan 24/7. Find your city or call (888) 480-9811.
24/7 emergency service · Same-day appointments · Upfront pricing
(888) 480-9811Request Service Online