Your Water Tastes Strange. Should You Call A Plumber?

When you take a drink of water from the tap, you expect it to have a certain flavor. Based on the mineral concentration in your water and the chemicals used to sanitize water at your local water treatment center, that flavor may be different from the flavor of water at a friend's or family member's house. But when the flavor is off or different, you notice. Should you call a plumber when this happens? Often, the answer is "yes." Here is a look at some of the possible issues that might be leading to an "off" flavor in your water and what a plumber can do about them.

Rust in your pipes.

Does the flavor remind you of the flavor of metal at all? If so, your pipes may be developing rust. Galvanized steel pipes, which are common in older homes, lose their galvanized interior over time. Once this occurs, the pipes start rusting. Eventually, you will see rust in the water when it comes out of the tap, but at first, you might just taste it. A plumber can send a camera down the pipes to see if there are any rust spots visible. If there are, then they may recommend having those sections of pipe replaced with new copper or PVC pipes. 

Corrosion in your hot water tank.

Your hot water tank can become corroded over the years. It can develop mineral deposits, and the metal that lines the tank can also start breaking down. Some of the minerals might start breaking off the deposits and making their way into your water, which can affect its flavor. A plumber can look over your hot water tank and tell you pretty quickly if this is happening. If so, they'll recommend replacing your hot water heater.

Damage to incoming water pipes.

Another possibility is that there are cracks or breaks in the pipes leading into your home. Dirt and contaminants can then seep into the pipes. A plumber can diagnose this by sending a camera down into the pipe. If they do see damage, they can then sleeve the pipe. This means that they send a sleeve down into the pipe to line its interior and prevent anything else from coming in.

If your water tastes strange, call a plumber. If they don't find anything wrong, then they may recommend calling your local water treatment plant and talking to them about the change. Contact a professional if you need plumbing assistance. 

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