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Once in a while, the water coming out of your faucet may be milky or cloudy. Let's explore the potential causes of the cloudy water, along with what you can do about them.
Trapped Air
If the water coming from all your taps is cloudy, it's likely due to trapped air in the water flowing through your pipes. If you fill a glass with water, the cloudiness will clear naturally from the bottom to the top as the pressurized air is released.
The high amount of air in your water is likely due to an issue with the municipal water supply. You can check with your neighbors to see if they're experiencing the same issue. If the issue is only in your house, consider calling a plumber to find out if your home's pipework has a problem.
Dirty Aerator
Getting cloudy or milky water from just one faucet could be a sign of an issue with the faucet or aerator. Removing the aerator and cleaning it with a 50/50 solution of water and vinegar should solve the problem.
Water Heater Problems
If you only experience cloudy water from your hot-water taps and you can see particles settling at the bottom of your glass, your water heater is likely to blame. You'll need to contact a plumber to determine whether you have a defective dip tube that needs replacement or you need to have the water heater flushed to remove sediment buildup.
A failing dip tube tends to disintegrate into your hot water supply, leaving white flecks of plastic in your water. Sediment accumulation can cause cloudy water and make your water heater work harder, increasing your utility bills.
Hard Water
Hard water may cause the buildup of limescale in your pipes, which may make your water appear milky. Limescale buildup can make your water heater work harder. Hard water can also lead to poor water flow. You can remove the minerals that cause water hardness using a water softener.
The different causes of cloudy water have different solutions. If the issue has persisted for a while or you're unsure about the cause or solution for the cloudiness, be sure to contact a plumber. If you live in the Broken Arrow area, don't hesitate to contact us at Air Assurance for all your plumbing needs.