Three Common Causes of Metallic Water
There are several possible reasons why your water may taste metallic. Some of the most common causes include:
- Corroded pipes: If the pipes in your home are made of galvanized steel, they may have started to corrode over time. This is one of the most frequent causes of a metallic taste in water. Corroded galvanized pipes can also cause water to appear yellow, rusty, or discolored.
- Mineral buildup: Hard water, which contains high levels of minerals like calcium and magnesium, can result in a metallic taste. This issue is often found in homes with galvanized iron pipes.
- Plumbing fixtures: Metal fixtures such as faucets and showerheads can contribute to a metallic taste if they are corroded or contaminated, though this is usually a secondary cause.
Understanding these common causes is the first step toward diagnosing whether the issue stems from your plumbing or your water supply.
How to Tell if Metallic Water Is Caused by Your Pipes or the Water Supply
Before deciding on a solution, it's helpful to figure out whether the metallic taste in your water comes from your home's plumbing or the local water supply. Four easy ways to tell include:
- Testing water from multiple taps: Try tasting water from different faucets - like the kitchen tap, bathroom sink, and an outdoor hose. If only the indoor taps taste metallic, your home's pipes may be the cause.
- Checking with your neighbours: Ask neighbours if they experience similar water tastes. If they do, the issue might originate from the municipal water supply.
- Looking for discolouration or sediment: Rusty, yellow, or brownish water typically points to corroded pipes inside your home.
- Contacting your water utility: Your water provider can confirm if there are known issues or maintenance work that could affect water taste.
Identifying the source can save you time and money by ensuring you choose the right fix. Since galvanized steel pipes are a common culprit for metallic water, the only long-term solution is a full home repipe.
How to Fix Metallic Water from Galvanized Pipes
If your home has galvanized steel pipes, the metallic taste in your water is a clear sign those pipes are corroding and nearing the end of their lifespan.
Galvanized pipes can rust and build up mineral deposits inside, which not only affect water taste but also reduce water flow and pose potential health risks.
While water testing through your local utility can help identify the presence of metals or contaminants, the most effective and long-term solution for metallic water caused by galvanized pipes is to replace them entirely.
Repiping your home with modern materials such as copper or PEX tubing eliminates corrosion issues and restores clean, great-tasting water. Unlike filtration systems, which only treat the symptoms, repiping addresses the root cause by removing old, rusted pipes.
A professional repipe also improves your home's water pressure and reduces the risk of leaks or pipe bursts associated with aging galvanized plumbing.
For a detailed breakdown about our full home repipes, read our article on how long it takes to repipe a home.
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A repipe can remove the metallic taste caused by galvanized plumbing from your drinking water. Here at Repipe Specialists, we've fully replaced the plumbing in over 75,000 homes since 1991, using both copper piping and PEX tubing. We consistently receive positive feedback from customers about their overall repipe experience. We often exceed expectations when it comes to:
- Speed: Our repipe crews typically complete a repipe in a day, returning on another day for wall patching.
- Convenience: Through our One-Stop Repipe™ process, we handle everything from permits, to wall patching, to inspections.
- Cleanliness: Our crews are trained to protect your home while working (we cover all surfaces with protective sheeting), and to clean up fully at the end of each day.
- Peace of Mind: Repipe Specialists is a fully licensed plumber in every state we operate in, and we back all of our repipes with a lifetime warranty.
- Financing programs: To help take the sting out of unplanned repipe expenses, we offer several financing programs.
- Price: As a specialist that performs hundreds of repipes a week, we can deliver high-quality repipes at a lower cost vs generalist plumbers. We have an article that covers repipe cost factors in detail. Our quotes typically range from $4,500 to $15,000 depending on the size and complexity of your project.
Schedule a free in-home consult, and one of our local repipe consultants will explain all your repipe options and provide you with a written, fixed-price quote.