5 Simple Causes and Solutions of Black Water Coming Out of Faucets

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Have you ever been shocked by your water taps suddenly supplying black water?

Well, it’s a difficult situation that many have found themselves in. And thus leaving one in complete wonder as to why black water comes out of faucets.

There can be many causes and solutions of black water coming out of faucets. Such as mineral and clay buildup, sedimentation, clogged pipes, faulty plumbing systems, and more.

Want to know in detail? Keep reading!

Key Takeaways
✅Black water in water faucets can be fixed by cleaning out water pipes, fixing plumbing issues, installing new filters, and hiring professional help.
✅It can be prevented through regular cleanup and maintenance of plumbing and filtration systems. Installing a water filtration system is a long-term solution to black water leaking from taps.

What Are Some Health Risks of Black Water?

If you notice black water coming out of your hot water faucet, make sure to test your water to check if something is present in the water supply. The health risks of water discoloration may vary depending on the cause.

Sometimes black water can come out of the shower faucet or tap due to the build-up of sewage. Such water is impure as it may contain fecal matter, bacteria, and several pathogens. These wastes are categorized as biohazards and can lead to serious illnesses.

Common health risks posed by black water coming out of faucets are:

• Stomach pain, nausea, and bloating upon consumption.
• Bad smell and black residue may induce vomiting and illness.
• Some black water may contain airborne viruses that can affect general health and well-being.
• Black water in the shower faucet may even cause excessive hair fall or skin irritation.
• Using black water from the kitchen faucet to clean dishes and utensils might lead to poisoning and nausea.

If the black water from the faucet is a result of too much iron or minerals in the water, it may be harmless. But it’s always better to get your water tested before regular use.

Safety Measures to Take Immediately

Black water is not always dangerous or completely black.

However, the smart call is to take safety measures as quickly as possible to remain in the safe zone. Such as the following:

• If the water isn’t sewage waste or toxic, attaching a net filter to the mouth of your taps might be enough.
• Simple malfunctions, such as rusty pipes or a high percentage of iron in water, may result in discoloration of water. In this case, you can attach a separate net filter to the mouth of the taps.
• Cleaning or replacing pipes are more advanced steps that might require professional help or a long time.

5 Potential Causes and Solutions of Black Water Coming Out of Faucets

Identifying the reason for the contaminated water will help you diagnose the problem and determine how to fix it.

So, let’s take a look at some common causes of black water coming out of faucets:

Reason 1: Sediment and Mineral Buildup in Plumbing

First off, if you’re experiencing black water from your faucet, it may be a result of sediment buildup in old pipes. Various solid residues, such as dirt, dust, and debris, may accumulate in the plumbing and discolor the water. These particles are carried along or mixed with the water and create discolored or dirty water.

Mineral deposits in the water, such as a high percentage of iron and manganese in the water supply, can turn the water black or brown. As a result, consuming black-colored water can cause poisoning and nausea due to the high amounts of iron or manganese. In that case, you need to conduct toxicity tests on the water before eliminating contaminants from it.

Solution

First off, detach and clean the water pipes. Flush the system before starting the cleanup. Letting the water taps run might remove any sedimentation or accumulated particles.

But if the situation persists, a thorough clean-up of the pipes is required. Dealing with mineral buildup in water requires more urgent steps, such as water treatment processes and the installation of water filtration systems.

Reason 2: Corroded or Galvanized Pipes

The inside of steel pipes is sometimes coated with a layer of zinc. This layer may deteriorate over time and mix with the water. The resulting black water coming out of the kitchen faucet can cause zinc poisoning and upset your stomach.

Also, old or rusted pipes often leak polluted water. The corroded pipe material mixes with the water and turns it black. Using water mixed with corroded iron for showering can damage your hair and discolor your skin.

Solution

Steel pipes and galvanized pipes decay with time. The decayed extra layer of steel mixes with the water to create black water, which may cause poisoning. Hence, the best course of action would be to call in professional help to replace the plumbing system.

Reason 3: Mildew or Mold Buildup

Mold and mildew can grow in old plumbing systems easily. Besides, the inside of pipes is moist all the time so the increase in bacteria can mix with the moisture.

And, as we all know, the growth of mildew is dangerous to health. Plus, using mildew black water for washing clothes can also leave a moist smell.

Solution

Mold buildup is dangerous as it can also affect the air around the water source. To deal with mildew and mold, start by flushing the system by turning the taps on and letting out the black water. Next, keep the members of the house away while the professional team cleans out the plumbing.

Reason 4: Presence of Organic Matters or Clay

If your water tank is connected to a private well or supply, sand or clay particles may enter the water supply and cause black water.

And clear water can turn brown or black in color due to the presence of organic materials. This form of black water may not be toxic or harmful. But it will certainly leave stains on clothes, bathtubs, and other places.

Solution

Water filters with multiple sediment and carbon layers can be installed for home water systems. Furthermore, nets can be attached to the mouths of pipes to collect any clay or sediment.

A screen can also be installed over the well to prevent any accumulation of organic materials in the water supply.

Reason 5: Defective Water Filtration System

Old filtration systems can decay and fail to filter out carbon or any other residues from the usable water. The water becomes overly carbonized if the filtration system is defective.

How to tell if your water has too much carbon? Water with carbon poisoning has a strange taste, smell, and color. A defective water filtration system can lead to overly carbonized water, damaged hair, and stained surfaces.

Solution

It’s best to hire a professional to install a new filtration system. Clear the house for a day while the team installs a new system that delivers fresh and clean water.

How to Prevent Future Occurrences: Practical Tips

Now that you know the common causes of the black water issue, you can fix the problem easily. But it’s even better to prevent the problem from occurring in the first place.

Here are some practical approaches for preventing black water issues at home:

Test the Water Quality

Regularly run water tests on the quality of the water supply to catch any issues before they turn into full-blown mysteries.

You can use DIY test kits or call in the water experts for a professional analysis.

Besides, knowing what’s in your water is the first step to keeping it pristine.

Regular Maintenance and System Updates

The best way to prevent further instances of black water is to schedule regular checkups and maintenance. Your water supply or tank should be cleaned once every two months or so. This is to ensure there are no sediment buildups in the water supply. Be sure to check for leaks if your pipes are old and creaky.

The plumbing system, water taps, tanks, and tube wells need to be checked at least twice a year to ensure the quality of the water supply. Also, remember to examine the water heater and filter. The water heater may need to be cleaned or replaced with a new filtration system if it supplies black or discolored water.

Educate Household Members

The family members are most at risk of getting sick when in contact with contaminated water. Hence, always ask the family members to be careful if the water smells or tastes strange.

Also, keep them out of the house for a day if professionals come in to clean or replace the water filtration system or the plumbing.

Know When to Call a Professional

Most plumbing-related issues can be dealt with by yourself. Such as, replacing filtering screens or nets to catch residues is a simple task.

But sometimes you need to call in a professional. For example, if you notice a sudden drop in water pressure accompanied by a foul odor resembling rotten eggs. This could be a sign of a serious issue like a gas leak or contamination, which requires immediate attention from a trained professional.

And if you’re not sure what’s going on, it never hurts to get a second opinion from a plumbing pro. After all, it’s better to be safe than sorry, right?

The Final Cut

Sometimes discolored water might be harmless. It can be unappetizing to consume but it can be used for washing up. Common causes like sedimentation and clay buildup might be making your water black.

Simply running the taps for some time may clear up clay clots. You can also flush the water system to expel discolored water. However, as impure water may trigger several health risks, it’s better to run tests on sample black water to decide if it is safe to consume.

All these simple causes and solutions of black water coming out of faucets will put your mind at ease, along with keeping your water supply clean and safe!

For any further issues, make sure to consult with a professional. They can resolve the issues much faster and in a more efficient way.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)