skip to Main Content

Does Discolored Water Mean I Must Replace the Water Heater?

When you turn on a hot water tap on your sink, or perhaps in your bathtub, and you notice a rusty-brown coloration in the water that flows out, it usually means there is trouble inside your home’s water heater, possibly because of corrosion. You may have heard that at the first sign of rust inside a water heater, you need to have the whole unit replaced.

However, this isn’t necessarily the case. Before you call up for water heater replacement, look over these possibilities. Then call a trusted water heater technician to inspect your system and see what he or she can do to repair the system; if it needs replacement, the tech can assist you with finding the right unit.

Premier Indoor Comfort Systems has been a trusted name in water heater installation in Bryson City, NC since 1999. Call us for a fast, effective, and honest service.

Causes of Discolored Water

If your water heater isn’t old (under 10 years) and you’ve kept up regular maintenance on it, it’s doubtful that it needs replacement because of brownish water. The water discoloration may come from your plumbing if you have old steel pipes, and not from the water heater at all. The discoloration may also come from the municipal supply, so run cold water from the faucet as well for a stretch to see if it also comes out with that rusty hue. If it does, then there’s trouble with your water supply and you should contact the local water utility company.

Problems that could come from the water heater itself are often due to lack of maintenance. (You should have maintenance scheduled once a year from a trusted company.) The anode rod that keeps away corrosion from the tank can have rusted all the way through and start allowing rust to enter; you’ll need repairs fast to prevent the corrosion from spreading. The discoloration can also occur because of a build-up of sediment inside the tank. During regular maintenance, technicians will flush out the tank to stop this accumulation of particles from the water gathering too thickly. Flushing the tank often eliminates the issue of water discoloration—and gives your heater a longer lifespan.

However, it’s sometimes true that your water heater will need to have a complete replacement. If the unit is older than 15 years, then it might have reached the replacement stage already. Call a water heater specialist for a professional verdict, and follow the specialist’s advice.

For excellent water heater installation in Bryson City, NC, contact Premier Indoor Comfort Systems. We aim for 100% customer satisfaction on every job we do. Don’t guess when it comes to your water heater: call us!