Signs There’s Something Wrong with Your Tap Water

We should trust the water that comes into our homes. Tap water should be healthy and above all safe to drink and use in your home. Despite this, there are parts of California where we need to be wary of the water flowing from our taps. While an immense amount of the water in Sacramento and the East Bay is safe to drink, there have rare been instances when it’s not. You shouldn’t worry about the quality of your water, but just to be sure, keep an eye out for any of these signs there’s something wrong with your tap water.

Something Smells Funny

Water shouldn’t really have a smell. Fortunately for us, our nose knows when something is off. The only exception is chlorine, that’s actually a good smell to have coming from your water. However, some smells are cause for concern while others are completely harmless.

Here are some of the most common water smells customers complain about:

  • Sulfur – This smell can actually be attributed to your water heater. Hard water can leave mineral deposits all over the inside of the water heater’s tank. Over time those deposits flake off the tank and into your water.
  • Sewage – The smell of sewage is an indicator that your drain is backed up. If this happens you should call a plumber to clear the drain. You should be able to smell the difference.
  • Chlorine – It’s normal to smell chlorine coming from your tap. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) uses chlorine to treat public water. Chlorine is a vital part of keeping drinking water safe and healthy.
  • Fish – Now this is where you run into trouble. Harmful algae can bloom in water reservoirs and other basins. When algae interacts with chlorine it can give off a strong fish odor. This is when it’s time to call your water service provider to let them know there could be some toxic water in their supply.

Don’t fret too hard if your water has a strange odor. You can pick up an at home water testing kit at Home Depot, Lowes, or your local hardware store. For professional help, Bell Brothers offers a Plumbing Safety Inspection. During this inspection, one of our expert plumbers will be sure to test the quality of your water.

Your Tap Water Looks Cloudy

Have you ever poured yourself a glass of water from the tap only to see it look a little hazy? If you answered yes, there could be a few factors at play. The first is air bubbles. When a home’s water pressure is too high, anything from a tap could look cloudy, but it’s full of tiny bubbles. To test this theory, pour some water and set it aside for a few seconds. If the cloudiness starts to immediately dissipate, it’s bubbles!

But what if the cloudiness stays? This is when you could have a problem on your hands. One explanation could be extremely hard water. Hard water is full of minerals that, in a large concentrate, can leave a milky looking deposit behind. Another cause for cloudy water could be dirt and sand in your pipes. Either way, it’s time to call a plumber to figure out the solution.

The Water Leaves a Residue

Any water coming from your tap should never leave behind any residue. Despite this, there are a few instances when it can occur. The most common residue is a pink or rust colored staining. This is from hard water. While hard water isn’t a health issue, it could be a plumbing issue. Hard water can leave mineral deposits all over your pipes and fixtures.

Another reason for a rust-colored residue could be your copper pipes. Older or corroded copper pipes can leave behind a slight residue. Your best bet is to schedule a camera inspection to check the condition of your pipes.

My Tap Water Tastes Like Metal

Unless you have braces, metal has no business being in your mouth. However, if you do taste metal in your tap water, your tongue is not lying. We’ve even heard of homes having enough metal in the tap water that it leaves the rust-colored residue mentioned above. While it may be easy to blame the general water supply, the sediment causing this metallic taste can find its way into your water long after it’s been treated.

Sediment buildup in your water heater could be the cause of a metallic taste. Over time, hard water will leave mineral deposits that could coat the tank of your water heater. If there is too much sediment, it will flake off and end up in your water. However, you’ll only taste metal when the warm tap is turned on.

The other major cause of metallic water is busted pipes. Iron and copper pipes can flake into the water stream if they are corroded or breaking.

Think There’s Something Wrong with Your Tap Water?

At Bell Brothers, we’re proud to offer a Plumbing Safety Inspection. Think of it as a tune-up for your plumbing system. While preforming one of these checks, a certified plumber will look at your pipes with a camera, test your tap water quality, and test your water pressure. They’ll let you know if anything needs to be addressed. To schedule your own Plumbing Safety Inspection, call the number at the top of the screen or click here to request an appointment online. Bell Brothers proudly serves our Sacramento, Stockton, and East Bay communities.