For pink or orange stains: These will typically show up where water pools or standing water (bottom of showers, toilet bowls, toilet tanks, around sink drains).
How can you tell what is causing it?
If you put bleach on the stain does it disappear? If so, that is caused by a bacteria from the air that is growing in the sitting water. Best way to treat long-term is to install a chlorine injection in the toilet tank OR use chlorine tank tablets in the back of the toilets.
If the bleach doesn’t remove it, most likely this is iron staining. Iron staining will also be on shower vertical surfaces that are often dry. This issue is typically only on well water sources or if your house has galvanized plumbing that is deteriorating.
For black, brown, or green stains: These will typically show up where water pools or standing water (bottom of showers, toilet bowls, toilet tanks, around sink drains).
How can you tell what is causing it?
If you put bleach on the stain does it disappear? If so, that is caused by a bacteria or algae from the air that is growing in the sitting water. Best way to treat long-term is to install a chlorine injection in the toilet tank OR use chlorine tank tablets in the back of the toilets.
If the bleach doesn’t remove it, it could be caused by untreated sulfur or tannins in the water. It is recommended to get a water treatment company to test water for sulfur or tannins to verify that is the cause. Sulfur will also cause a rotten-egg smell. Tannins can cause water to smell swampy or earthy.
If it appears grainy and sinks to the bottom of the toilet bowl (not a ring) and it also is in the bottom of toilet tanks it could be sediment from well or municipal water sources. It would be best to contact a water treatment company to see the size and amount of sediment to determine the right size and micron rating. Too small and it can cause water pressure issues. Sediment can damage existing water treatment equipment so it is important to address the issue quickly.
If it is a lot and you are on a private well, it would be a good idea to get your well checked out. Sediment could be caused by a well pump head being too low or a casing that is starting to break down. Sediment will damage existing water treatment equipment so it is important to address the issue quickly.
Need your staining mystery solved in Lakeland-Winter Haven area, Kissimmee, S. Clermont, Lake Wales, Brandon, Plant City, Zephyrhills, Davenport, Haines City, Celebration, St. Cloud? Give us a call and one of our water sleuths will come out and investigate your issue.
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