If you have noticed that the water coming from the hot water tap in your home is a funny colour, you may be wondering what is going on. Brown- or orange-coloured water is a sign that there is a problem with the hot water system in your home. Below is a guide to two possible causes of discoloured hot water in your home's plumbing system. Read on to discover everything you need to know.

Sediment in the hot water tank

The water which enters the hot water tank from the public water supply will often contain a large number of different minerals such as calcium and lime. With the passage of time, these minerals can drop out of the water and collect on the bottom of the hot water tank, where they harden into a thick layer of sediment. While for most of the time this sediment will sit undisturbed at the bottom of the tank, now and again, it may move, causing the water to become discoloured. For example, if the hot water tank is disturbed, the vibrations may dislodge some of the sediment. The best way to deal with this problem is to ask a plumber to drain and remove the hot water tank so the sediment can be removed and the tank cleaned.

Rust in the pipework

Another leading cause of brown or orange water is rust in the pipework of your hot water system. Pipes do not last forever. Over time, the interior of a pipe can begin to rust. The development of rust can be a trigger and accelerated by any damage which affects the pipe, as this may remove the protective coating which helps to prevent rust from forming. Once rust has begun to form, it may wash off and enter the water supply, turning the water a funny colour. If this problem doesn't resolve itself after a very short time, you may need to take more drastic action. The best way to solve this issue is to ask a plumbing service to inspect and replace the pipework in your home.

It is important that you address the cause of discoloured water in your hot water system, as it can often be a sign that either the pipework or the tank is in need of some love and attention. If you ignore the problem, it could eventually lead to more serious issues. If you would like to find out more, you should contact a plumbing service.