Why Is Green Water Coming Out Of Your Faucets?

The water that comes out of your faucets should run clear. However, sometimes it changes color. This is typically a sign that you have a problem somewhere in your plumbing system. For example, if your faucet water has suddenly developed a greenish tinge or contains tiny green flecks, then you could have a problem with copper pipes. These are signs that your water contains too much copper.

Read on to learn more about when you might see this color change.

You Have New Copper Piping

Faucet water can look green shortly after you've done work on your plumbing system. For example, if you've recently had to replace part of a copper pipe or have installed this piping all over your home, then your water might have some temporary discoloration.

New copper pipes need to develop an internal protective layer to prevent copper from passing into their water supply. This can take a few days. Until they form this layer, the water that runs through them might have more contact with copper residues than usual. Its color might temporarily change. So, your water might look a little green for a while when you turn it on. However, it should start to run clear shortly after you turn on a faucet. The discoloration should disappear a few days after your repair or installation.

If this doesn't happen, then you should ask a plumber to check your system. You could have a soldering or connection problem.

You Have Old Copper Piping

While copper piping usually lasts for years, there will come a time when this metal starts to develop problems. If your piping is old, and your water looks green, then one or all of your pipes might need some work.

Old pipes can corrode. This often happens because a pipe is simply too old, and its metal has started to break down. An imbalance in the pH levels in your water or foreign bodies in your pipes, such as grit or dirt, can accelerate this corrosion. When this happens, your pipes will pass copper into the water as it runs through your system. Here, your water might run green at the start before turning clear, or it might have a constant greenish tinge. This problem is likely to worsen as time passes. Typically, the best fix is to replace your old pipes.

Keep in mind that green-tinged water isn't necessarily safe to drink or use. It could affect your copper intake. So if your water is constantly running green, you need a fast assessment and fix. To get started, contact a local plumbing repair service, such as Raymond Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning.

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