Tap water that doesn’t look clear can make some homeowners uneasy. Are there particles in the water that you shouldn’t drink?
Does cloudy water mean it isn’t healthy? Is there something wrong with the water heater or plumbing?
Determining the cause of this may help ease your mind if it’s nothing too serious. For example, figuring it out sooner than later can save you some money and headache if it’s because of a plumbing or mechanical issue.
Reasons Why Your Hot Water Might Be Cloudy
Some common reasons why your hot water appears cloudy may include:
- Excessive air bubbles
- Hard water source
- Ozone disinfection
- Plumbing problems
Excessive Air Bubbles
One of the most straightforward reasons for cloudy water is trapped air bubbles. If you’ve ever boiled water in a pot on the stove, you know that air bubbles emerge once it reaches high temperatures.
This effect also happens when your hot water tank heats the water. There is nowhere for the air to escape and it remains trapped within the water, causing it to look cloudy.
Thankfully, if you pour water from the tap and give it a few seconds, you should instantly see the water turn clear from the bottom up as the air escapes.
If your water comes out cloudy but turns clear after a minute or so, there’s nothing to worry about, and it’s safe to drink, bathe in, or use for cooking.
Hard Water Source
If you live in an area with a private well or with a hard water source, your water may appear cloudy. Thankfully, hard water is nothing to worry about, and many homeowners drink and use hard water without any problems.
Hard water can damage your plumbing and fixtures, so some individuals will opt to install a water softener. You can easily find out you have hard water by performing a simple test strip you can get at various companies or order one online.
If you have extremely hard water, installing a water softener can help clear it up for you since it will remove hard minerals that cause it to be cloudy.
Ozone Disinfection
Some municipalities use ozone disinfection to treat their water source to rid it of bacteria and other harmful particles. This process entails injecting ozone into the water system to oxidize elements, such as bacteria, viruses, pathogens, metals, and other harmful components.
Naturally, this act will create a reaction within the water, and since water travels through plumbing without escaping, oxygen and ozone are trapped inside. So if you live in an area where your local water treatment plant uses ozone disinfection to treat the water, it may be cloudy coming from the tap.
It’s completely safe to drink, and you don’t have to worry about any harmful particles in your drinking water. Ozone disinfection is a successful way to treat a water source and ensure it is harmless for consumption and use.
Plumbing Problems
Although it is rare, some plumbing issues can cause your hot water to appear cloudy from the tap. For example, if your pipes have sediment or a calcium build-up, your water may appear cloudy or murky.
If you suspect a plumbing issue, it’s a good idea to contact a professional to explore your options.
Often, purchasing a sediment filter for your tap will eliminate any problems with cloudy water from excessive particles.
The Takeaway
If your hot water is cloudy, it’s not usually a cause for concern. You may feel better about it if you find out precisely why it appears cloudy coming from your tap.
Typically, it’ll clear up within minutes and is harmless. If you notice discoloration or an odor, you should contact your water supplier as soon as possible.