Brown Water From the Faucet? Causes & Fixes for Rusty Water

By Top Florida Plumbers · Updated 2026-11-08

Brown water is alarming but usually explainable. The pattern tells you where it's coming from.

Where is the brown water coming from?

• Only hot water is brown – sediment and rust inside the water heater tank. Flush the tank; if it continues, the tank is corroding and needs replacement.
• Cold and hot both brown, all fixtures – a city main repair or hydrant flushing stirred up sediment. Run cold water for 20 minutes; call the utility if it persists.
• Brown only after water sits overnight – corroded galvanized steel pipes inside your home. This gets worse, not better; repiping is the permanent fix.
• One fixture only – corroded supply line or valve at that fixture.

Is it safe?

Rusty water isn't generally a health hazard but it stains laundry and fixtures and signals pipes that are nearing failure. Our plumbers can test your water, inspect pipe condition and give you a fixed price for a whole-house repipe in PEX or copper.

Whole House Repiping Near You

We provide repiping in every Florida city, including Apopka, Boca Raton, Bonita Springs, Boynton Beach, Bradenton, Cape Coral, Clearwater, Coconut Creek, Daytona Beach, Deerfield Beach, Delray Beach, Deltona and many more.

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