How to Remove Rust from Water Pipes and Protect Your Family's Health

Removing rust from water pipes is a crucial step in ensuring your family's health and well-being. Rust can leach into your drinking water, leading to iron contamination.

Rusty water pipes can contain high levels of iron, which can cause gastrointestinal problems, liver damage, and other health issues. This is especially concerning for families with young children or people with compromised immune systems.

In some cases, rust can even cause unpleasant odors and tastes in your drinking water, making it unpleasant to consume. Regular maintenance and inspections can help prevent these issues.

Rust in water pipes can be caused by low water pressure, which allows oxygen to enter the pipes and react with the metal, causing corrosion. This can be a major issue in older homes with galvanized pipes.

The risk of rusty pipes also increases with age, as the protective coating on the pipes wears off over time. This can lead to leaks and even pipe bursts.

Low water pressure can also allow sediment to accumulate in the pipes, which can accelerate the rusting process.

Several factors may contribute to your water's turning an unappealing brown colour. It may or may not require immediate attention depending on the reason for its colouration.

Iron oxide, a common cause of rusty water, can enter your water supply through corroded pipes or fixtures. This can lead to a brownish colour in your taps.

Corrosion of pipes is often the result of aging infrastructure, which can cause iron to leach into your drinking water. This can be a sign of a more serious issue that needs to be addressed.

The presence of sediment or debris in your water supply can also cause it to turn brown. This can be due to several factors, including the source of your water.

Drinking rusty water can lead to gastrointestinal issues like stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, especially in vulnerable individuals like children, the elderly, or those with pre-existing health conditions.

Consuming rusty water can introduce iron particles into your system, which may cause iron overload, a condition that can lead to organ damage and complications over time.

Iron overload is a serious concern, as excessive iron intake can cause harm to the body, even though iron is an essential mineral.

Ingesting iron particles from rusty water may also interfere with the body's ability to absorb other vital nutrients like zinc and calcium, leading to deficiencies and impacting overall health and well-being.

Here are some potential health risks associated with drinking rusty water:

To detect rust in your water pipes, check your plumbing system for damage, especially if the rusty water comes from a single faucet. This could be a sign of a leak or damaged pipe.

If you notice rusty water coming from your cold water taps, it's likely not a plumbing issue, but rather a problem with your water heater. Water heaters can build up sediments over time, which can flow out of your fixtures.

You can try replacing the tubes connecting your water heater to your plumbing system to see if that resolves the issue. If the water is still rusty, it may be time to replace the water heater tank entirely.

To remove rust from water pipes, you have a few options. Water softeners can be used to remove mild to moderate rust from cast iron pipes, but be cautious when using them on galvanized steel pipes as they may worsen corrosion problems.

Experts often use a combination of water flow and chemical rust removers to remove rust from cast iron pipes. If water softeners don't work, they may try vinegar soaks or the electric drill method to weaken and dislodge built-up rust on galvanized steel pipes.

If the rust build-up is severe, you may need to use more aggressive methods. For example, applying Naval Jelly to the rust areas and letting it sit for 10-15 minutes can help loosen the rust. After cleaning off the gel, dry the pipe and check for any remaining rust.

Here are some removal methods to consider:

Removing rust from inside pipes requires specialized tools and methods. Professionals use these methods to determine how much rust can be removed and whether to replace the pipes.

The first step is to shut off the water supply at the mains to prevent damage to your home and contents. This is a crucial step that should not be overlooked.

Using the right tools is essential for removing rust from inside pipes. Experts recommend using water softeners, but only with expert guidance, especially for galvanized steel pipes.

Some water softeners may contain alkaline salts that worsen corrosion problems in galvanized steel pipes. Vinegar soaks or the electric drill method may be used if water softeners don't work.

For accessible blockages, try to prise out the pieces of rust with a steel pick. If the blockage is on a pipe that channels drinking water, gardening water, or water used in preparing food, you'll need a plumber to replace the pipe.

For inaccessible blockages, use Calcium, Lime & Rust or CLR to soften and dissolve the blockage. If the rust blockage is located at the knob, spray the CLR and let it sit for a few minutes before washing it off with soapy water.

**Tools and Methods for Removing Rust from Inside Pipes**

Cast-iron plumbing can last up to 50 years or more, making it a durable and long-lasting option. However, the iron in these pipes can rust over time, affecting water quality and causing staining.

To remove rust from cast-iron pipes, property owners can use water softeners, which can remove mild to moderate rust. If water softeners are not effective, experts may use a combination of water flow and chemical rust removers.

Experts recommend using a water softener as a first line of defense against rust in cast-iron pipes. This method is effective for removing rust without causing damage to the pipes.

If water softeners do not remove a satisfactory amount of internal rust, experts will use a combination of water flow and chemical rust removers. This approach can be more effective, but it requires careful consideration to avoid damaging the pipes.

Cast-iron pipes can be sensitive to harsh chemicals, so it's essential to use gentle methods to remove rust. Water softeners and careful use of chemical rust removers can help achieve this goal.

In some cases, a combination of water flow and chemical rust removers may be necessary to remove rust from cast-iron pipes. This approach requires careful consideration to avoid damaging the pipes.

Pipes can leak due to rust, which can occur on the inside and outside of pipes. This can lead to water contamination, reduced water pressure, leaks, and other problems.

Visible rust at joints and on pipe exteriors is a common sign of pipe leaks. You may also notice orange-red stains in toilet bowls, sinks, showers, and tubs.

Particulates in the water and holes or leaks forming midway through pipes or around joints are other warning signs of pipe leaks. In severe cases, you may even notice a tangy, sharp, or metallic taste to drinking water.

To repair pipe leaks, you'll need to remove the rust from the affected area. This can be done using a wire brush, fine sandpaper, and Naval Jelly, a rust-removing gel.

Here are the steps to follow:

Remember, prevention is key. Regular plumbing inspections can help catch signs of pipe leaks and rust before they become major problems.

Rust can enter your water supply from old galvanized pipes in your home's internal plumbing.

If you have a well system, the water may contain detectable iron oxide due to mineral-rich earth.

Municipal water supplies can also have rust in them, either from the original water source or corroded pipes in the distribution lines.

Old hot water heaters are another common source of rust in your home's plumbing.

Any plumbing component made of iron or steel will rust when exposed to water and oxygen.

This can cause discoloration and a rusty taste in your water.

The first step in removing rust from your pipes is to ensure the water is shut off at the mains. This will prevent any further damage to your home and contents.

You'll need to clear the blockage in the pipe, and if the rust hasn't hardened, you can try to prise out the pieces with a steel pick. This is especially effective if the blockage is accessible.

However, if the rust is on a pipe that channels drinking water, gardening water, or water used in preparing food, you'll need to call a plumber to replace the pipe or section of it.

If the rust is inaccessible, you can use a product like Calcium, Lime & Rust or CLR to soften and dissolve the blockage. Just pour it down the pipe, and if the rust blockage is located at the knob, spray the CLR and let it sit for a few minutes before washing it off with soapy water.

Once you've cleared the rust blockage, attach the pipe back to its original position, turn the water back on at the mains, and open the tap. The water will be brown at first, but let it run for a few minutes until it's clear.

Here's a quick rundown of the steps to follow: