In the past, you never really thought about what was coming out of the tap when you turned on your water. It was most people’s only source of water to drink, cook with and bathe. But in the last few years, more media coverage has been focused on what is in tap water. In many disturbing cases, it is far more than just the clean, pure water that you want to drink or use for cooking. But the question is, what clues should you be looking for to know that there is a severe issue with your tap water? Below are three critical signs that you have a problem.
Your Water Tastes Like Metal
This might sound very scary, but it is actually a prevalent issue, especially in older homes. When your water has a faint or even strong metallic taste, the reason is that there are tiny metal flakes in the water. This can be the result of old metal pipes that are rusted or corroded. As the water flows through the pipes, tiny pieces of metal are sheared off and float in your water.
Your best choice to resolve this issue and eliminate the potential for health issues is to call (214) 388-4525 and schedule an appointment with a Metroplex Leak & Line licensed plumber. Our pro will inspect your water supply lines to determine if they need to be cleaned or if there is another reason that your water tastes like metal. In many cases, scheduling regular professional cleaning will eliminate the metallic taste and potential for health problems.
If only your hot water tastes metallic, then the issue is almost certainly related to your water heater. Flushing your water heater could remove the rust and metallic deposits. If that does not fix the problem, it could be time to consider replacing your water heater with a new unit.
Your Water Has An Odd Or Bad Odor
Freshwater should never have any odor. The only time you will smell an odor in your water is when it is contaminated. Mineral contamination in your water will smell very metallic. If there is algae in your water, it will have a slight moldy or musty smell to it. Bacteria in your water will create a smell of sulfur or rotten eggs. And finally, too much salt from a water softener will make your water smell and even faintly taste like salt.
If you cannot determine precisely what you are smelling, it is best to schedule an appointment with a pro from Metroplex Leak & Line to determine precisely what the issue is and how to remedy it. If the odor is only occurring when you are using hot water, then it is likely an issue with contamination in your water heater. Again, a Metroplex Leak & Line professional will quickly be able to determine what is causing the odor and provide you with options to remove the issue.
Your Water Leaves Stains Or Residue Behind
Tap water is what we use for bathing and cleaning almost everything in our homes. Your water should be clear and free from any residue or material that will leave a stain. If you notice stains in your sink or tub under the faucet or near the drain, then there is a problem.
Brown or orange stains are the result of iron or copper that is leaching into your water. Calcium or magnesium in your water will result in a chalky white residue. The most common cause of these issues is old water pipes. The pipes rust or corrode over time and then begin to contaminate your water. In some cases, a professional pipe cleaning can resolve the issue. In more severe cases, when the piping is very old, the only solution is to re-pipe your home.
The only way to be sure what is causing any of these three serious issues is to call (214) 388-4525 and have your water and water pipes inspected by one of our licensed plumbers. After that inspection, we will be able to explain the cause of the problem and offer you as many cost-effective repair options as possible.
