When you really think about it, you put a lot of trust in the quality of the tap water in Newburgh. If an accident happens that reduces the quality of the water, you and your family could be in serious danger without realizing it. That’s why cloudy tap water can be such a surprising and frustrating problem because it seems as though there’s something wrong with the water that you drink. The good news is that this condition is almost never a cause for concern, as you’ll see in this article from Polar Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning.
Heating Water Suddenly
One common source of cloudy water is your home’s water heater. When water quickly rises in temperature, it tends to trap air in tiny air bubbles. These air bubbles, in sufficient quantities, can give your water a cloudy or milky appearance. These air bubbles do not make your water unsafe. As a precaution, though, it’s a good idea to inspect your water heater to make sure its heating elements are working correctly. You will also want to make sure that the temperature on your water heater is adjusted correctly.
Performing Work on Plumbing
Another way to introduce small air bubbles into your water supply is to perform work on your plumbing. When you open a plumbing supply line, you allow air into the line. After the work is complete, it could take a while for the air to bleed out of the line. If the air remains in the line for several hours, some of the air will dissolve into the water in the form of air bubbles, resulting in a cloudy appearance. This issue will typically correct itself. However, if you still notice cloudy water a few days after new plumbing work, it’s best to give Polar Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning a call.
Change in Water Pressure
Major fluctuations in the water pressure coming to your home typically don’t happen very often. When they do happen, though, they can cause your water to turn cloudy. This is especially true if the water pressure changes from very low to very high because there is a greater chance for air to find its way into your water supply line when the water pressure is low. Water pressure that stays too high or too low for too long can cause problems with pipes and fixtures in your home. Therefore, it’s a good idea to contact Polar Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning if you’re regularly experiencing either of these issues.
Exceptionally Hard Water
Hard water is water that has a high concentration of dissolved minerals. Typically, these minerals won’t change the appearance of the water. However, if you are on well water, or if the local water company changes their filtering equipment, the levels of minerals in your water could increase and cause cloudy water. These minerals aren’t harmful to drink in most cases. However, higher mineral concentrations could change the taste of your water. If you want to maintain consistent water hardness, it’s best to invest in a whole-home water softener that adapts to the hardness of the incoming water.
Trapped Methane
One time when cloudy water could be dangerous is if there is methane trapped in your water supply. This problem typically only happens if you are using well water. However, it’s still good to look out for no matter what type of water you use. If the soil surrounding a particular water supply has methane, some of the methane will often become dissolved into the water. Then, when you use the water in your home, the methane can escape into the air and lead to explosion risks or health problems. It’s a good idea to test your water for methane and to take action if you find high concentrations of this gas.
Water Supply Disturbance
If you notice heavy equipment working on water lines in your area, this could be the cause of your cloudy tap water. The disturbance of the main water line can have the same effect as disturbing a small water supply line in your home. Depending on the type of work being done, construction on supply lines can introduce air into the line, giving it a milky appearance thanks to trapped air bubbles. Additionally, certain types of plumbing work can release sediments in the supply line back into the water supply. This may cause your water to turn cloudy, red, gray, or a variety of other colors. In most cases, your water company will inform you if they are doing work in your area so that you can be aware of any changes to your water quality.
Problem at Water Treatment Plant
For the most part, a water treatment plant can provide a reliable and clean water supply. On rare occasions, though, there may be a problem at the water treatment plant that could change the appearance of your tap water. This happens most often during drought conditions when the plant operators have to change the way they deliver water to customers. During these times, the water treatment process may involve the use of certain chemicals to help kill algae in the reservoirs. Although these chemicals are safe for human consumption, they may change the appearance of the water. If you have concerns about the quality of your water, Polar Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning encourages you to call your local water company.
Problem With Aerator
Most faucets are equipped with an aerator. This is a small mesh screen that screws onto the end of a faucet. Aerators are important because they help conserve water and help maintain steady water pressure. If you have a clogged aerator, though, this could result in cloudy water. Since the water will have fewer openings through which to flow, it will increase the speed at which the water flows through the remaining openings. This will increase the amount of oxygen introduced into the water while it’s coming out of your faucet. Fortunately, cloudiness caused by a clogged aerator typically clears up in just a few minutes.
What to Do
Even if you have a consistent water supply, it’s a good idea to regularly test your home’s water parameters to ensure that you’re getting top-quality water. You’ll want to test your home’s water pressure using a pressure gauge attached to the end of a garden hose. You can also test for methane, dissolved minerals, and potentially harmful substances. In some cases, you may be able to install a faucet filter to remove some of the most common waterborne substances. In other cases, you may need the assistance of Polar Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning to help improve the quality of your water. Staying on top of your home’s water quality will help you to protect your plumbing and your family’s health.
Helping Homeowners Improve Water Quality
At Polar Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning, we believe in going above and beyond to give every customer a great experience. That’s why we take pride in our water care assessments, water heater repairs, drain cleaning, and other plumbing services that we offer. We apply this same commitment to excellence to our air conditioner repair and furnace maintenance services. Our consistency and professionalism are two qualities that consistently earn us five-star customer reviews. To learn more about your home’s water quality, contact us at Polar Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning today.
