Are you scrambling for ways to fix cloudy hot water in your home? When discovering cloudiness in water, you are not alone. But, if left untreated, you could end up with worse side effects. On the other hand, learning how to fix cloudy hot water doesn’t have to be complicated.
What Causes Cloudy Hot Water?
The most common cause of cloudy tap water is trapped air bubbles. Water is composed of hydrogen and oxygen, making it a particularly soluble substance and thus easy for air to be trapped in your water lines.
High Water Pressure
Because of the increased solubility, hot water is particularly susceptible to cloudiness. With heated water, the molecules will expand and invite in other gasses that will take the form of tiny air bubbles. The higher the water pressure is, the easier it is for air bubbles to form. High water pressure is another common cause of cloudy-looking water.
Hard Water
Hard water can also be the cause of cloudy hot water. “Hard water” refers to water that is highly concentrated with mineral deposits. A sure sign of hard water is finding chalky white residue after boiling water in a kettle. Limescale is a mineral that can form when hard water is heated. This is a common problem, as most water supplies in the U.S. contain some levels of calcium or magnesium. Hard water can cause buildup on your plumbing, which can shorten the life expectancy of your pipes.
Water Suppliers
Additionally, if there is work being done by a water supplier in the area, this can also leave you with cloudy water. For example, a water supplier might turn off water mains in your area, inviting air bubbles into your water supply. Check to see if your neighbors are experiencing the same thing. If this is the case, it indicates that your home’s pipework does not solely cause your cloudy water. When this happens, the best thing you can do is to wait it out.
How Do I Fix Cloudy Hot Water?
Now that we know cloudy water is primarily caused by pressurized air, what do we do next? It’s hard to know the cause of cloudy hot water just by looking at it. To get to the source of the issue, it’s a good idea to have your water tested regularly. These are some areas to address to fix cloudy hot water.
Water Filtration System
To fix cloudy hot water, it’s a great idea to ensure you have a good water filtration system. Without taking up any countertop space, water filtration systems trap contaminants and impurities while adding healthy minerals to your drinking water. While this fix may seem resolute or obvious, there are a lot of other options out there.
Reverse Osmosis Filtration system
Another sustainable solution is installing a reverse osmosis filtration system. This solution requires no electricity, filter changes, or routine cleaning. A reverse osmosis filtration system works by filtering your water through a semipermeable membrane, which removes all but a tiny percentage of substances. You can be sure that this system will give you transparent water for years.
Pressure relief valve
The air coming into your hot water lines can escape by opening the pressure relief valve on the hot water heater. If shutting off the water and using the pressure relief valve doesn’t work, the root of the problem may lie in your water heater. Your water heater is what your pressure relief valve is attached to, and you should flush it routinely to remove sediment at the bottom of the tank. This will take care of any sediment that can clog your drain valve.
Faucet Aerator
A clogged aerator can also cause cloudy hot water. Your sink’s aerator is attached to kitchen and bathroom faucets. You may have noticed a screen-like filter with holes where the water comes out. This aerator is designed to control and reduce the amount of water from the faucet. However, the water pressure increases when it’s clogged, causing cloudy-looking air bubbles.
To address this, you can unblock the aerator using a damp toothbrush to scrub off the debris. If possible, remove your aerator from the faucet while cleaning it. Another solution is to soak the aerator overnight in a mix of white vinegar and baking soda–this will remove the clogs.
Cleaning your Aerator is a temporary solution. Over time, blockages will persist, bringing cloudy hot water back in no time. To fix cloudy hot water for the long run, consider replacing your aerator. Then, call a plumber to find the root cause of your clogged aerator.
Do I Need to Fix Cloudy Hot Water?
If you notice that your tap water is cloudy or milky, do not fret! When the issue is caused by air bubbles, drinking cloudy tap water will not cause any damage to your health. When in doubt, try at-home test kits to evaluate the state of your water and use basic water filter pitchers.
However, harmful contaminants may have invaded your tap if you notice yellow, brown, or green cloudy water. While drinking cloudy tap water may have little repercussions most of the time, prolonged cloudiness can harm your pipes and stain your sinks. If left alone for a prolonged period, the trapped air in your water lines can cause corrosion and rust in your pipes.
Fix your plumbing needs with Goodbee Plumbing
Cloudy water from your tap may not be the best sight to see. However, by pinpointing the root of the issue, you can return to that clear, pristine water in no time. Finding the cause can be difficult, but Goodbee Plumbing is here to help fix cloudy hot water.
Goodbee has your back with the finest, fully licensed plumbers available to fix your cloudy hot water and any other water treatment issues. As a local, family-owned plumbing company, we aim to leave you happy with our outstanding workmanship. If you want to resolve a problem quickly, we can offer same-day plumbing services. To schedule your service today, call 985-893-1883.