Brown or yellow toilet water looks dirty and unsanitary. Surely, you don’t want that in your home. There are reasons why you have brown water in your toilet, and you’ve got to find out why that is so. Only that way you can fix the brown toilet water issues in your home and get your toilet looking clean and fresh again. So, how do you go about cleaning the brown stain in your toilet? We’re here to help you with that.
Keep in mind that a toilet is a place for refuge in your home. So, make sure that your toilet looks and feels good every time. Are you asking the question, “why is my toilet water brown?” If so, here are some of the most common reasons why. The fix for each problem was also added to the list for your convenience.
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Reasons for Brown Water in your Toilet
If you know even a little about your plumbing system, then you can easily do some of the fixes we suggest below. In case you’re not all too familiar with it, you can always call professional plumbers to help you out. But first, try to eliminate the cause of the problem. Read through each of the reasons below.
1. Rust
Rust is one of the most common causes of brown toilet water. You can easily find out if it’s the plumbing pipe that’s causing the issue by checking the color of the water flowing through the toilet and the rest of the house. Get a glassful of tap water from the faucet or shower. If notice that you have brown water from the tap, then you know that it’s most likely a rusted pipe.
The fix for this is to replace the rusted pipe with a new one. This is going to be a complex plumbing job so it would be better to hire professional plumbers to help you out. They can easily replace those corroded pipes for you. It may take days to fully fix this problem, though. So be patient.
There is also the possibility that the problem isn’t a rusty pipe, but rust in some metal parts of the toilet inside the tank. To be sure, open the toilet tank and inspect if there are any signs of corrosion in there. If you see some rust, then you must replace all the parts that have them.
2. Dirty Toilet
If your toilet is new and can’t possibly get rusted too soon, then the other possible explanation is that you have waste lurking somewhere in the toilet. Check if there’s a foul smell that goes with the brown water. If there’s an unmistakable stench, then you can almost be sure that this is what’s causing the problem. This may happen if your toilet’s flush is not working optimally.
To solve this problem, try to fix the flush system. Low-flow toilets are notorious for having this problem. Be sure to maximize the flushing pressure of the toilet by adjusting some parts, such as the tank float and cylinder float.
3. Mineral Deposit
Even if the water flowing through your home seems clear, it may still have some mineral deposits in it. These deposits along with some other minuscule debris can make your water hard. If you notice some discoloration on the toilet bowl where water tends to flow, then this is most likely the cause.
The solution to this problem is to install a water softener in your home. This machine can address the hardness of the water by getting rid of the mineral deposits. There are also other chemicals and similar commercial products that you can use to soften the water.
But if you’re looking for a quick fix, you can consider using white vinegar. This is a popular natural solution to hard water, and it won’t harm your pipes or toilet either. Just pour four to five cups of vinegar into the toilet tank and flush it. White vinegar will clear the tank of hard water stains and react with the mineral deposits as well. That will help a lot in making your toilet bowl look clean and fresh. You may also use bleach or soda on top of white vinegar to further remove any stain.
4. Broken Water Pump
If there’s a small water pump connected to your toilet, then you must know that it activates every time you press the flush. This water pump is very useful in creating pressure in case you have a weak flush. However, there could be a lot of deposits inside the pump as well. After prolonged continued use, the pump could get soiled or broken, affecting the quality of water that passes through it.
Pay extra attention to the pump connected to your toilet tank. If it is broken, then it is time to replace it. In case it is just dirty, you can always use a toilet brush or spray some WD-40 or similar solution to clean the pump. If you know a little DIY, you will be able to disconnect the pump easily and put it back.
5. Clogs
If your plumbing system is clogged, then the water will stall instead of flowing right through. This will cause soiled water to stay above longer, instead of getting flushed instantly all the way to the sewer line. Worse, murky water could flow back into the toilet bowl. It’s not easy to fix clogs, so never make it a habit to throw toilet paper into the toilet bowl.
If this is the case with you, you’ll have to prepare to unclog your toilet. There are many chemicals from the hardware store and tools that you can use, such as a toilet plunger or auger, to unclog your toilet bowl. But if you’re looking for an alternative natural solution, then all you need is some Epsom salt. Just pour one cup of Epsom salt into your toilet, then follow it up with a bucket full of hot water. Leave it there for 15 minutes. When you come back, you’ll see that the murky water is starting to disappear.
6. Sediments
If the water from your home is coming from a well, then sediments can be the cause of the brown water problem. Sediments are deposits that can cause dirty water. It is likely to appear if you have people doing construction work in your area or the septic system somehow got affected.
In case this is the reason why you have brown water flowing into your toilet, call professional plumbers as soon as you can. You’ll need them to assess the situation and pinpoint exactly where the problem stems from and how to provide a plumbing solution to it. You’ll have to act fast if this is so, as the sediments may also affect your drinking water.
7. Flooding
If your area has been flooded recently due to heavy rainfall, a strong storm, or any other reason, then it’s likely that the drainage system where your city water supply comes from has become overwhelmed. Dirt and mud could have gotten into your water supply, causing it to give your tap water some brown stains.
The solution for this is to drain all the brown toilet water from your pipes. Let the water flow through the faucet until all murky water has been flushed out and only clean water comes out of the pipes. Do the same thing with your toilet tank and water heater tank if you have one. You might need to do some drain cleaning as well. If this doesn’t solve the problem, try to call your utility provider so they can check the damage caused to your water supply.
Get Rid of Brown Water in your Toilet Easily
These are just some of the most common answers to why you have the notorious toilet water yellow or brown issue. Go through each of them and know for sure if one or several of them is causing the issue. The solution for each problem is also laid out clearly, so you can take the necessary steps to solve it on your own. If you know how to carry out the solutions, you can get fresh water flowing into your toilet again in no time at all.
But of course, fixing the entire plumbing system in your home is never an easy task. In case you find any step too difficult for you, there are plumbers who can help you out. Don’t be afraid to consult with professionals if you are not sure how to do anything. Through their professional plumbing services, you’re sure that you’re solving the problem and not making it worse.
When done right, you won’t be asking the question, “why is my toilet water brown,” anymore. Because you already know why and you have taken care of it, too! Now, discolored water will never have a place in your home. What’s more, cleaning your toilet becomes all too easy for you!
