Sunday, September 3rd, 2023

Ask Allied: Why is my Cincinnati tap water cloudy? 

Customers often contact the team at Allied Reddi-Rooter wanting to know why their home’s tap water looks cloudy and what they can do about it. While there are a few common culprits that can turn otherwise clear water hazy, it’s not an unusual conundrum here in Cincinnati. 

In fact, the Queen City is known as a hard water area, meaning that our municipal water, while safe to drink and use, has a high mineral content. Below, we’ll talk about why hard water makes your water cloudy, and two other reasons your tap water may not be crystal clear. 

Hard water

Let’s get right to it. Here in Cincinnati, most hazy water is caused by limestone buildup from hard water. Whether the buildup is in your pipes, faucets, or elsewhere, it’s typically easy to treat with a whole house water softener. 

Cloudy water caused by mineral build up isn’t harmful and usually doesn’t require a plumbing repair. However, if you notice that hot water coming from your tap is cloudy, it’s time to call a plumber. 

Trapped air bubbles

When air bubbles get caught in pipework, it can lead to cloudy tap water. This typically occurs after a pipe bursts or there’s been a change in your home’s water pressure. Both caused require a closer look. 

While it’s perfectly fine to drink cloudy tap water caused by these tiny air bubbles, you should contact a plumber to get to the bottom of the issue. The air bubbles could be the result of burst pipes, for example, and that is a serious plumbing problem. 

Sediment in the water

This is different than cloudy water caused by hard water. In this case, sediment has infiltrated your water supply due to your local water supply. Sometimes, homeowners will notice cloudy water if there’s construction happening nearby. 

So how do you know if your cloudy water is caused by Cincinnati hard water or sediment? Perform a simple test by leaving a glass of tap water out for 24 hours. If it’s hard water, the cloudiness should disappear quickly. If, 24 hours later, the water is still cloudy or there is residue on the bottom of the glass, it’s time to call a plumber. 

Unclear about what’s causing your home’s cloudy tap water? The team at Allied Reddi-Rooter is here to help  call or contact the team.  We always come highly recommended and have earned an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau for our expert quality of service. We’re here to help you with your sump pump needs, and more.