Why Does My Hot Water Look Brown? (And Other Warning Signs You Shouldn’t Ignore)

The only time your hot water should look brown in Melbourne is when it is mixed with coffee and a spot of milk. If it comes out of your tap looking rusty, then you have an issue that needs the expert services of MCN Plumbing. You don’t realise how vital hot water is to our […]

The only time your hot water should look brown in Melbourne is when it is mixed with coffee and a spot of milk. If it comes out of your tap looking rusty, then you have an issue that needs the expert services of MCN Plumbing.

You don’t realise how vital hot water is to our everyday lives until the hot water service breaks and you’re without a hot shower. As well as the brown water coming out of your tap there are other signs to warn you that your hot water service is about to go.

In this article we’ll go through those different issues, what the symptoms are and what may be causing them. If you recognize any of these symptoms, get in touch with us to arrange a quick inspection and repair.

Signs of a Broken Hot Water Service

There are a few different signs of your hot water going on the blink. Here we will go through them, what the signs are and what they could mean.

Brown Water

Your hot water is not supposed to be brown. This is a sign that your water supply is contaminated, and it could be from a few sources.

• > Internal Tank Corrosion: The inside of your hot water system may be rusted. The first check you can do is run the cold water and the hot water separately. If your cold water is clear, but your hot water is brown, then there is likely rust and corrosion in your hot water service.
• > Sediment Buildup: If you live in a hard water area then minerals can accumulate at the bottom of our hot water service. After time this sediment can begin to mix with your hot water and discolour it.
• > Corroded Plumbing: This can impact both the hot and cold water services. Older pipes, such as galvanised steel pipes, can corrode over time and rust, causing your water to be discoloured.

As a safety warning we recommend not using the brown water for drinking or cooking until you’ve resolved the issue.

How to Fix This Problem

Confirm it is just the hot water service by running both the cold tap and the hot tap for two or three minutes, each separately. If the cold tap runs clear then it is just an issue with your hot water service.

Flush the system. Our licensed plumbers can help flush your hot water system to remove any sediment. If the water is rusty coloured, then this would either be just a temporary solution or not the actual problem in the first place. Your tank may need replacing.

Check the age of your hot water tank. If it is more than ten years old and producing rusty coloured water then we would highly recommend replacing it for a newer model.

Other Warning Signs Your Hot Water May be Broken

Brown water is not the only sign that there is something wrong with your hot water service. If you notice any of these other indicators then you should get in touch with the best hot water service Epping and surrounding suburbs have to offer, MCN Plumbing.

Rotten Egg Smell

This is usually the smell of sulphur, and is a sign of bacteria and hydrogen sulphide in your hot water system. Some hot water systems, those which rely on gas, have a magnesium anode rod to help prevent rusting. However, some bacteria feed off the reactions this magnesium rod creates. The bacteria breaks down into sulphur which release the rotten egg smell.

How to fix it- Replace the anode rod, swap it out for an aluminium or zinc-alloy rod. This will eliminate the reaction. Then flush the system and sanitize it with chlorine if necessary. Then temporarily raise the hot water temperature past 60 degrees Celsius to kill off any remaining bacteria.

Popping or Banging Noises

These noises are usually caused by water boiling beneath a layer of sediment on the bottom of your hot water service.

How to fix it- Turn off the power and cold water supply to the water heater. Attach a garden hose to the bottom drain valve and run it to an outside drain. Open the hot water tap to vent and then open the drain valve to empty your tank.

Once it is empty, you can turn the cold water tap on and off, to help flush the system of sediment. Keep flushing until the draining water runs clear.

Water Pooling Around Your Tank

Water pooling around the base of your tank implies there is a leakage somewhere. It can be caused by a blockage that increases pressure, a broken seal or fitting, or even a cracked tank.

How to fix it- You could find the leak and try to seal it with a waterproof polysealer, or water proof tape. However, in the case of cracks and leaks we highly recommend replacing your hot water heater entirely.

Changing Water Temperature

If the heat in your hot water service is going up and down, or the hot water runs out too fast, it could be a sign that your thermostat is failing, or there is an excess of sediment buildup reducing your tank’s capacity.

How to fix it- As with sediment build up, you can drain the tank as per the above instructions. If this doesn’t solve the problem it could be your thermostat.

If it is, have a licensed plumber check your thermostat out. They may replace it, or suggest installing a new hot water service.

Reduced Water Pressure

A gradual reduction in pressure can mean a slow build up of sediment or minerals in your pipes. A sudden drop in pressure could mean a breakage or severe blockage of your pipes. Blockages or breakages can be caused by sediment or rust.

How to fix it- discover what is causing the drop in pressure. If it is a build up of sediment in your tank, then drain it as per the instructions above.

If there is a major blockage in one of your pipes, then that pipe will need to be replaced. Check the entire pipe line for any abnormalities. Either have the section replaced, or have the whole pipe system from the hot water to your home replaced.

MCN plumbing has helped many people with blocked drains in Ringwood and hot water repairs in Eltham. Our well trained teams work all over Melbourne delivering a high standard of service and repairs. If you notice brown water coming out of your taps, a bad smell or strange noises coming from your hot water service, give our team a call and we’ll come on out, investigate and fix the problem for you.

FAQ

What hot water system services does MCN Plumbing offer?

MCN Plumbing offers a full range of hot water services including installation, repairs, maintenance, upgrades, and supply of new units covering both gas and electric hot water systems.

Can you install a new hot water system for me?

Absolutely. MCN Plumbing provides complete hot water system installation for both residential and commercial properties across Melbourne.

Can you upgrade my existing hot water system to a more energy-efficient model?

Yes, MCN Plumbing offers water heater upgrades, including energy-efficient hot water systems, to help reduce your running costs.

Do you service hot water systems for commercial properties?

Yes, MCN Plumbing has experience with both residential and commercial hot water systems across Melbourne.

Do you provide hot water system maintenance?

Yes, regular hot water system maintenance is offered to keep your unit operating safely and efficiently and to help extend its lifespan.

Which Melbourne suburbs do you cover for hot water repairs?

MCN Plumbing services a large number of Melbourne suburbs for hot water repairs, including areas such as Brighton, Hawthorn, Dandenong, Frankston, St Kilda, Toorak, and many more call to confirm your suburb.

Are you available for emergencies outside of business hours?

Yes, MCN Plumbing provides 24/7 emergency plumbing services, seven days a week.

Is your work guaranteed?

Yes, MCN Plumbing offers 100% guaranteed results on all work carried out, with a strong track record backed by 5-star Google reviews.