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.

Purchasing a home can be exciting. But it can also be stressful, especially when it’s time to get the house inspected. While you’re checking out everything from the foundation to the roof, don’t forget about the plumbing. 

While we recommend having a plumbing professional perform their own thorough inspection of the home’s plumbing system before you sign on the dotted line, here’s a list of easy things you can do to check the home’s plumbing on your own.   

Ask about the sump pump

If the home you’re planning to buy uses a sump pump, you’ll want to check it. Ask if the basement has ever flooded. If it has and they haven’t investigated to find out why, you’ll want to hire a plumber to examine the condition of the sump pump. If it isn’t working properly, it will need to be replaced or repaired as it can cause a flooded basement. This can lead to costly repairs and is liable to cause damage to the property in the basement, too. 

Inspect the water heater

Another simple thing you can do on your own is a quick inspection of the water heater. Often, it’s easy to spot areas of concern, just by looking closely. Check for any leaks around the inlet, outlet valves and the heater’s base. Listen for any noises when you turn the water heater on and check for rust on the tank. Also, turn on the faucet and check for rust colored water. 

Check the faucets

This is an easy step, but it’s an important one, too, considering how many times you’ll use the faucets in your new home each day. To get started, first turn on every faucet in the house to make sure the water runs quickly and drains quickly, too. This will give you an idea of how well the water pressure is in the home and if there are drain issues that will need to be addressed. 

Then, look around the faucets and at the base and installation points of the sink to see if there are any leaks. These can be costly in the long run, so the leaks should be repaired by a plumber before you buy the house. 

Test the shut off valve

Turn off the water meter to test the shut off valve. If you notice water coming out of the spouts, you’ll need to have the valve checked out. It may need to be repaired or replaced. 

Take a close look at the sewer main

You can avoid one of the most costly and extensive repairs by hiring a plumbing professional to check the main sewer drain to make sure there are no tree roots growing under the home’s foundation or damage due to the age of the house. A video inspection is a quick and effective way to check the condition of the sewer main. 

Don’t let plumbing concerns take the joy out of homebuying. Instead, contact the team at Allied Reddi-Rooter. We can perform a plumbing inspection to make sure you’ve found a great house to call home.  We always come highly recommended and have earned an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau for our expert quality of service.

Additional Resources

https://www.columbus.gov/bzs/inspections/Plumbing/

https://www.cincinnati-oh.gov/buildings/building-construction-inspections/plumbing-inspections/