and when I was finished I went to brush my teeth and my water was light to medium brown. Can this cause harm to my body I could not tell the water was brown in the shower. I live in an apartment this is the first time this has happen. Can I get an infection????And what could it be.............
2007-06-20 16:19:43 · 6 answers · asked by ready 2 in Home & Garden ➔ Other - Home & Garden
It is most likely iron oxide (a.k.a. rust) from your pipes. Turn the taps on in your sink and run it for a few minutes, then take a sample. If it is still brown, you may want to have it tested. If the pipes are releasing sediments, it could also have lead. The iron oxide will not harm you, in fact, it helps prevent rickets. What is bad, however, is the chlorine your body absorbs in the shower. Get a filter and change it out every three months (due to the heavy sediment).
2007-06-20 16:32:00 · answer #1 · answered by OrakTheBold 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
What probably happened was that somewhere in the water main there was a disruption. Possibly a line was broken or even a fire hydrant being opened/closed could cause this. What you saw discoloring the water was more than likely Iron or Magnesium deposits from the inside of the water lines. This is completely normal. Just let the water run until it clears up. You should also clean the screens on the sink faucet in the bathroom and kitchen, as well as remove the shower head and clean it. There is no health hazard but the particles can cause plugging and low flow in these places. If the water does this often or does not clear after a few minutes I suggest you call the local Water Utilities Customer Service phone number and ask if there is a reason for this. You can also ask for a "water quality report". This report will tell you all about the water you are getting.
2007-06-20 23:31:31 · answer #2 · answered by Empty-V 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It is just rust, either from you not using the plumbing for a while or possibly a plumbing repair done in the building.
It could mean that the plumbing would need to be replaced at some point depending how old the building is.
JUST GO RUN ALL THE FAUCETS IN YOUR APARTMENT FOR 2 MINUTES, THAT SHOULD FLUSH THEM OUT.
If it keeps happening I would alert the manager, because it could mean bad plumbing.
2007-06-20 23:46:25 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ask the landlord , maybe they did some work on the plumbing and you didn`t read or get a notice. Try running the water for several minutes and see if it clears out. As for brushing your teeth in a mud puddle, i guess it`s up to you/
2007-06-20 23:25:54 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have had this situation before. It is just some rust in the pipelines. It should only last a couple seconds. It won't hurt you. But just make sure not to drink the rust water.
2007-06-20 23:29:45 · answer #5 · answered by Bill K 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You're not going to die.
But I would have someone check out your pipes/water supply. It is polluted or something of the sort.
2007-06-20 23:26:29 · answer #6 · answered by Smacky 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋