If you’ve observed cloudy water coming from your faucet, you’re hardly alone. Nearly 10% of households experience water quality issues annually according to the Environmental Protection Agency. Cloudy-looking water could be attributable to multiple underlying problems. Its sources include anything from harmless air bubbles to toxic contaminants and hidden plumbing issues.
The following sections will explore why you might have spotted cloudy water from your tap. We’ll also cover its potential health risks and why you should work with a licensed plumber to restore your water to its normal state.
Cloudy Water and Why It’s a Concern
Cloudy water, which can sometimes display a milky or frothy appearance, is usually caused by air bubbles within your water. However, cloudy water can also be caused by sediment, mineral deposits, or contaminants in your water supply. Each of these causes present different levels of risk. While air bubbles, organic sediment, and minerals do not pose serious health threats, excessive chlorine in your water does. Likewise, an overabundance of sediment and minerals will usually affect your water’s taste and appearance.
Chemical pollutants and bacterial contamination are concerning because they pose significant health hazards. After suddenly noticing cloudy water, you’ll want to act quickly to have your home’s plumbing system assessed. Our experienced plumbers at Buehler Air Conditioning & Plumbing can tell you whether the cause is benign or something to be worried about. We’ll provide a thorough diagnosis and a resolution that gives you the safest and cleanest drinking water possible.
What Are the Specific Health Risks of Cloudy Water?
The main concern about cloudy water is bacterial contamination. Harmful bacteria like E. coli and Legionella thrive in poorly treated water. Both can lead to serious illnesses if ingested. You can even experience complications when inhaling these contaminants during a shower.
Chemical pollutants are another concern. Pesticides, heavy metals, and industrial chemicals can easily move into your water supply. When this happens, if left unchecked, they can introduce long-term health risks, including cancer and neurological issues.
Some minerals can be harmful, as well. High levels of arsenic or lead often present themselves in a cloudy water supply. These toxic elements can leave you with severe health issues, like kidney damage and childhood developmental problems. This is why addressing your cloudy water issues immediately with the help of a professional plumber is imperative. An expert diagnosis will tell you exactly which contaminants are in your water supply.
How Cloudy Water Affects Your Plumbing System
Aside from being a potential health hazard, cloudy water will also start to wreak havoc on your plumbing system over time. Pipe corrosion is one such issue you’re likely to encounter. The contaminants and minerals contained within the cloudy water will eventually begin eroding your pipes which can result in several costly repairs.
Clogging and blockages are two other problems you might face. When sediment and particulate matter accumulate in your pipes, this causes obstructions that reduce water flow and pressure. The buildup can similarly damage plumbing fixtures, such as faucets and showerheads. Subsequently, you might find yourself replacing these items more often.
Depending on the circumstances, the high mineral content causing your cloudy water could lead to higher maintenance costs. The mineral deposits eventually turn into scale buildup which leads your pipes to clog while possibly damaging them as well.
Steps to Take When You Notice Cloudy Water
So what should you do after discovering cloudy water emitting from your tap? For starters, we suggest you avoid using tap water for drinking or cooking. Hold off at least until you can determine exactly what the risks are. The next step is to collect a water sample in a clean container.
This sample will give us valuable information about possible contaminants in your water and any other issues within your plumbing system. After gathering the sample, give us a call to schedule a plumbing inspection. One of our certified experts can perform an advanced water quality test at your home and determine what’s potentially behind the cloudiness.
From there, we’ll advise you on the necessary steps to eliminate the issue and restore the water for safe use. This could entail balancing your pH or introducing a home water filtration system.
How Does the Diagnosis and Testing Work?
To diagnose cloudy water we take your water samples and test them. We look at the water’s pH levels, turbidity, bacteria, and the presence of chemicals. We may also use spectrophotometers to measure how much light passes through a sample. This lets us identify specific pollutants.
We can also use Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) meters for on-site analysis in addition to laboratory tests for the most comprehensive results. Digital meters measure the electrical conductivity (EC) of your water.
The measurement is taken in parts per million (ppm). Plumbers and water treatment specialists use TDS meters to measure the purity of drinking water. Typically, values over 900 mg/L indicate a contaminated supply that’s unsafe for consumption. These are just a few measures we take to pinpoint the underlying problems in either the municipal supply or your home’s plumbing system.
Reversing Cloudy Water
Installing a reliable filtration system is among the most effective ways to eliminate cloudy water. Modern home filtration systems can remove sediments, minerals, and other contaminants causing cloudiness while delivering clearer water to your taps.
Pipe cleaning services also help remove accumulated sediments and debris within your plumbing system. Motorized augers known as “drain snakes” will flush out blockages and restore normal water flows. Cleaning your drains can similarly eliminate your water’s cloudy appearance.
Water softeners are also helpful, particularly when dealing with a hard water supply. Softeners replace calcium and magnesium ions with sodium or potassium ions to reduce cloudiness in water. Aside from improving water clarity, the devices also extend the life of your plumbing fixtures.
Preventing Recurrent Cloudy Water Issues
Regular plumbing maintenance and inspections can help prevent your cloudy water from returning in the future. Our plumbers can clean your pipes, check for leaks, and confirm that your plumbing system is in top working order.
We also recommend routine water quality check-ups to ensure your water supply isn’t contaminated. In addition to monitoring your water, installing a water filtration system is another option for preventing cloudy water from returning.
A reverse osmosis system (RO) for instance, can eliminate most impurities before they reach your taps. Other whole-house filtration options incorporate activated carbon filters, sediment filters, catalytic carbon filters, and more to create a strong defense against a cloudy and contaminated water supply.
Why Hire a Professional to Address Water Cloudiness?
Licensed plumbers bring advanced tools and testing technologies to pinpoint any contaminants causing your cloudy water supply. We can also complete a thorough cleaning of your pipes and implement a high-quality filtration if needed. What’s more, any repairs we make are guaranteed. Investing in professional plumbing services can also save you more than if you tried tackling the job yourself.
At Buehler Air Conditioning & Plumbing, we have years of experience resolving cloudy water issues for homeowners in Jacksonville, FL. Beyond our plumbing solutions services, we can also handle emergency heating and cooling repairs. Whether you need a new water filtration system, routine HVAC maintenance, or quick installation, our team has you covered.
Contact us at Buehler Air Conditioning & Plumbing today to schedule your next plumbing service!
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