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plumbing problem?

When I turn on any faucet in the house, there is a banging and sputtering...then water comes out (brown). When I flush the toilets, the water is brown there too. What should I do? Is there a problem with my plumbing system/pipes? I am on city water This happens on hot or cold water

Public Comments

  1. sounds like a broken pipe to me, have you drained your system lately including hot water tank are you on city water or well have you called the city to see if there is a broken water main in your neighbourhood
  2. I'd say yes...there is definitely a problem. You didnt mention if your problems are with hot, cold or both sides, if you are on a well or city water, if the problem has been creeping up on you or sudden, if your neighbors are experiencing the same situation. If your water source (city or well) isnt contaminated, then the brown is more than likely rust and corrosion coming from your pipes. Do you know if you have galvanized piping? How old is the system? You may also be getting significant amounts of scale, etc from your hot water heater. When did you drain it last? The banging may be coming from the heater and the sound transferred through the pipes. Hot water heaters with a significant build up of mineral deposits on the bottom will bang unmercifully as the water tries to heat. You may also be experiencing "water hammer", a condition caused by piping not being strapped down securely. Check a few things, answer some questions for yourself and check with your neighbors. I'm betting Ive given you some thoughts to pursue. Worst case...a new water heater and a re-plumb job.
  3. I am a plumber and in my experience most of the time when you get brown water alot is from old galvanized pipes, if you check your pipes in your basement and see if you have this type of pipe for your water then you should replace them with copper pipes to resolve your problem. If this does not help call your local plumbing company and ask them to come in and check your plumbing, also ask before they come out if they charge a service call, most will do this for free just to look. I hope this helped... Don