Water stains around your home tell an important story about your water quality. Different colored stains indicate specific minerals or issues affecting your water supply. Our water treatment experts have seen every type of water staining problem and know how to pinpoint issues fast.
In this blog, we’ll go over various causes of water stains in the home, from hard water staining to blue-green sink marks. Continue reading to explore what different colorful clues reveal about your water and how to address them.
What Do Hard Water Stains Look Like?
Hard water staining typically appears as white or chalky deposits on fixtures, shower doors, and glassware. These stains form when water evaporates, leaving behind calcium and magnesium minerals. You’ll often see:
- White crusty buildup around faucets and showerheads
- Cloudy spots on glasses and dishes
- Chalky residue in sinks and bathtubs
- Scale buildup inside coffee makers and kettles
You may also notice soap scum forming on glassware and shower doors due to the reaction between soap and the minerals in hard water.
While hard water stains don’t pose health risks, they can damage appliances, reduce water flow, and make cleaning much more difficult. A professional water softener effectively removes excess minerals, eliminating hard water staining throughout your home.
Contact Advanced Water Treatment today for water softening solutions!
Red and Brown Water Stains
When you see brown or red water stains in your sinks, toilets, and bathtubs, you’re likely dealing with iron in your water supply. Iron is extremely common in Michigan well water and even appears in some municipal water systems.
Red and brown stains often indicate dissolved iron that oxidizes (or rusts) when exposed to air. This type of staining can show up on:
- Plumbing fixtures
- In sinks, showers, toilets, and tubs
- On laundry, especially light-colored items
- Glassware and dishes
Your drinking water might also have a metallic flavor and unpleasant smell if there is excess iron present. Iron filtration systems specifically designed to remove this metal can eliminate water stains and prevent rust buildup in pipes.
Contact Advanced Water Treatment today for iron removal solutions.
Black Water Stains
Black staining from water in your bathroom or kitchen can be particularly concerning. These dark marks typically result from manganese in your water supply. Manganese is a metal that often accompanies iron but creates distinctive black or dark brown staining instead of red.
Black water stains commonly appear:
- Around drains in sinks, showers, and bathtubs
- In toilet bowls, especially below the water line
- On light-colored fabrics after washing
- Inside appliances that use water
Like iron, manganese requires specialized filtration to remove it from the water in your home. Many iron removal systems also address manganese, tackling both problems with a single solution.
Sometimes, black staining can be linked to sulfur bacteria, too. Black stains can show up on silverware and plumbing fixtures due to hydrogen sulfide gas, which is produced by the bacteria and causes a rotten egg odor.
Contact Advanced Water Treatment for custom options to address manganese in your water or sulfur bacteria.
Blue-Green Water Stains
If you notice blue-green water stains on plumbing fixtures or in sinks, this usually signals a pH issue. These distinctive stains can result from acidic water corroding pipes. High chlorine levels may contribute to copper leaching in plumbing systems, as well, especially when combined with high acidity.
Blue-green water stains indicate:
- Acidic water dissolving copper plumbing and fittings
- Potentially high levels of chlorine
- Potentially elevated copper levels in your drinking water
- Progressive damage to your home’s plumbing system
Acidic water requires prompt attention to prevent further corrosion and potential health concerns. Neutralizer systems can adjust your water’s pH to stop the corrosion process and protect your plumbing.
Contact Advanced Water Treatment to find out if you’re dealing with acidic water now.
Yellow Water Stains
Yellowish water and staining are typically due to tannins in your water supply. Tannins are naturally occurring organic compounds from decaying vegetation that can enter well water supplies.
It’s worth noting that iron can also cause yellowish staining. Sometimes homeowners confuse early iron staining with tannins because both can create similar yellow discoloration. A simple at-home water test can help you determine the cause. Let a glass of discolored water sit out, and if the yellow settles, it’s likely linked to iron. If the yellow color remains uniform throughout the glass, you’re likely dealing with tannins.
Yellow water stains might appear as:
- A yellowish tint in toilet bowls
- Staining in sinks and bathtubs
- Discoloration of white laundry
Testing your water is the best way to determine whether tannins or iron are causing yellow staining. Specialized tannin filters can remove these organic compounds from your water, while iron filtration systems address iron-related staining. Many Michigan homes benefit from combination systems that tackle multiple water contaminants simultaneously.
Contact Advanced Water Treatment for solutions to your unique water quality issues.
Summary of Water Stain Sources
The many water staining causes can be confusing for homeowners, but each color provides valuable information about what’s happening with your water supply. By recognizing what different colors mean, you can better identify the best water filter or treatment solution.
Causes
- White stains or chalky deposits: Hard water (calcium/magnesium in water)
- Red or brown stains: Iron
- Black or dark brown stains: Manganese
- Blue or green stains: Acidic water/copper corrosion
- Yellow or tea-colored stains: Tannins or iron content
Our Professional Water Quality Services
If you’re dealing with persistent water staining in your home, professional water testing is the first step toward a solution. At Advanced Water Treatment, we provide comprehensive water analyses that help identify exactly what’s causing your staining issues. Based on your test results and specific concerns, we’ll recommend the best treatment system.
Our experienced technicians install and maintain water treatment systems throughout Southeastern Michigan, providing permanent solutions for all types of water staining problems. From softeners to acid neutralizers, we have the equipment and skill to solve even the most challenging issues.
Contact Advanced Water Treatment today at (810) 231-2332 for a free water analysis. We’ll help you say goodbye to frustrating water stains in your home!
