April 14, 2016

Discolored Hot Water: What it IndicatesIt’s an unpleasant surprise to turn on a household faucet and see discolored hot water, instead of the sparkling, clear flow you were expecting. Is it safe? Probably. Is it aesthetically pleasing? Definitely not. Ultimately, resolving issues of household water clarity is almost always a matter for a qualified professional plumber. However, you can help narrow down the possible causes of discolored hot water yourself with a few DIY steps.

First, make sure it's only hot water that’s discolored. Shut off the hot water and turn on the cold water tap. If the cold water also appears discolored, this raises the possibility that your main water supply line is corroding internally. This is a warning sign that should be referred to a plumber ASAP as it could indicate an impending pipe rupture.

If you verify that discoloration affects only hot water, here are three likely causes:

  • Sediment accumulation — Minerals naturally occurring in the water supply accumulate as loose sediment inside the water heater tank, gradually adding a muddy tint to hot water only. Sediment accumulation not only causes discoloration, it makes the burner run longer cycles to heat water and raises operating costs. As standard water heater service, tank sediment should be flushed out by a plumber annually before it hardens and becomes impossible to remove, necessitating complete replacement of the heater.
  • Dissolving anode — The anode inside your water heater tank attracts corrosives in water that would otherwise accelerate corrosion of the tank itself. Over time, the anode may dissolve and begin tainting water with a harmless discoloration. Another sign is a slight “rotten egg” odor to the hot water. In most heaters, a dissolved anode is a component that can be replaced by a qualified plumber without buying a new heater.
  • Rust and corrosion — If the water heater tank is deteriorating internally, hot water may appear rusty. Because a rusted tank may fail completely at any time and cause indoor water damage, the water heater should be replaced without delay.

For a professional diagnosis of discolored hot water in your home, contact Russell's Heating & Cooling.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in Chesapeake, Virginia and surrounding areas about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about discolored hot water and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Guide or call us at 757-750-1831.

Credit/Copyright Attribution: “Pressmaster/Shutterstock”

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  • I can't complement your team enough on the wonderful job done with regard to the installation of the new system in our home. More specifically, we want to recognize the outstanding efforts of: Roberto-- the initial visit and diagnosis of the problem.

    Dan & Connie, Virginia Beach

  • I recently had your team install a new gas package unit including all new duct work at my house in Chesapeake. I had a split system that had undersized ducting which was removed by your installers.

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  • Everything went great! This is the second big project we've had done through Russell's and we couldn't be more happy! We had the most dedicated, polite, and respectful crew! The team consisted of Elliot, Chase and Sean. Sean was here for the removal process on day one, and did awesome!

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  • Thank you for running a top notch company and sending over to us two excellent folks Terry and Shawn. They did an awesome job putting in our new furnace system. Also thank you for Donald and Nate who did a superb job as well. Please reward these guys with some sort of commendations or rewards....

  • ...folks need to know how wonderful working with Russell's Heating & Air Conditioning is. They were very professional all the way thru the process of getting our unit installed down to the payment plan. I have been telling our neighbors and my co-workers about the experience.

    Pamela F., Chesapeake, VA

  • Every moment from the time an appointment was set up until the day the work was completed was a pleasure. Every employee was a delight to work with. The proof that the product was great came when the electric bills started coming in the airconditioning season.

    Douglas P., VA Beach

  • I am extremely satisfied with both the Lennox unit I purchased and the employees of Russell's. Even with poor window and door quality in this overly tired house, I am actually cooled off sufficiently enough to call it chilly.

    Robin W., Chesapeake, VA

  • Over the years I have gained the utmost trust in my service technician Corey Lesko's knowledge and work ethic while servicing my system.

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    Pastor Larry E. O'Brien, Churchland Assembly of God

  • A year ago, I contracted with Russell's to tune up and clean the heating and cooling system. How impressively your specialist cleaned my system...he also found a defective automatic (programmable) thermostat. Quite quickly, he replaced my automatic thermostat. The results?

    R. Snider, Norfolk, VA

  • You recently installed a new Trane unit for us. We want you to know we are completely satisfied. The outside unit is now a hum versus the roar of the old one...we also want to recognize the installer...we cannot overstate what we think of his workmanship.

    K. Hawkins, Portsmouth, VA

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    B. Fenstermaker, VA Beach

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    G. Knoop, Chesapeake, VA

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    Ms. Bright, Chesapeake, VA

  • Your workers actually made this total replacement project an enjoyable learning experience...they were always willing to stop and answer any questions. Their pleasant and cooperative attitudes cannot be praised enough!

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