Is There Something Wrong with my Tap Water?

The water in our home should be clean, pure, and healthy to consume. Unfortunately. For some parts of Southern California, we need to monitor our tap water to make sure there’s nothing wrong with it. While a vast, vast majority of the water down here is just fine, there have been instances when it’s not. Don’t worry about the quality and condition of your tap water, just keep an eye for any of these signs that may show is there something wrong with my tap water.

There’s a Funny Smell

A strong sulfur or metallic scent is jarring when it’s coming from your water tap. Healthy, clean water shouldn’t have any smell to it. Even then, a slight chlorine smell is perfectly normal. However, some smells are cause for concern while others are completely harmless.

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

• Sewage – Sewage is actually a smell that’s commonly associated with backup in your drain. When a sewage smell is lingering in your tap, call a plumber to clear your drain and then smell the difference.
• Sulfur – A sulfur odor can actually come from your water heater. When too much sediment builds up in a water heater, that sediment gets pumped into your tap any time you turn on the hot water. A plumber can perform a water heater flush to help drain your system of any sediment.
• Chlorine – it’s actually very normal to smell some 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 we start to see some serious problems. We mentioned that chlorine is fine, good even. However, when that chlorine mixes with algae it can produce a fishy 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.

There are some home solutions for when you tap smells a bit funny. One of the first things you can do is pick up water testing kit at Home Depot, Lowes, or your local hardware store. For a deeper dive and professional opinion, Service Champions offers a Plumbing Safety Inspection. During this inspection, one of our licensed plumbers will test your water quality and let you know if there is anything to worry about.

My Tap Water Looks Cloudy

Do you ever pour a glass of water and notice it looks a bit hazy? This could be from a variety of factors, the most common of which we’ll get into here. First, set your water down for a bit and see if the cloudiness dissipates. Does your water clear? Great, then it’s just trapped and pressurized air. When the water is cloudy, you’re seeing tons of tiny water bubbles.

The problem comes when the cloudiness doesn’t leave your water; It could be one of two problems. First, your water is too hard. Hard water can leave trace sediments behind. These sediments can leave a murky or cloudy residue in your tap water. Cloudy water can also be a sign of dirt or sand in your pipes. Either way, it’s best to call a plumber to assess the situation.

Tap Water Leaves a Weird Residue

Any water coming from your tap should never leave behind any residue. Despite this, we’ve heard complaints about a brown stain, or a chalky dreg. These two stains are products of things we’ve already touched on. Water that’s too hard can leave behind a chalky residue. This is from high levels of calcium and magnesium.

Water that leaves behind a rust-colored residue could be an indicator that your copper pipes are rusty, corroded, or clogged. No matter what, it’s best to call a plumber to come out and take a look at your system.

My Tap Water Tastes Like Metal

Metallic isn’t a taste anyone wants associated with their water. In this case, your tongue isn’t lying to you. There is probably metal in your water. Sometimes there can be so much metal that your water leaves a rust-colored residue. Unfortunately, the sediments causing this metallic taste find their way into your water long after it’s been treated.

The moment you taste metal in your water is when you need to call a plumber. Sometimes, the metallic smell only comes from the hot water tap. This is caused by hard water buildup in your water heater. All you need is a water heater flush.

However, if you taste metal coming from both taps, it can indicate a much larger problem. Primarily, it could mean that your pipes are corroded, and that metal is leaking into your water. You should immediately schedule a plumbing safety inspection to have your pipes examined.

Want to Learn More About Water Filtration Solutions?

Then it’s time to call the plumbing experts at Service Champions. We are the only Diamond Certified company proving plumbing and HVAC in Southern California. Service Champions works with homeowners in Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, and San Bernardino counties. To book an appointment, dial the number at the top of the screen or click here to schedule online.