Rusty or orange hot water? Metal taste or smell?

orange hot water

Common hot water heater repairs.

If you notice that your hot water is orange or a light brown colour, or if it starts to smell like metal or has a metallic taste, contact us immediately for advice.  This is typically a sign of a larger problem with your hot water system that needs to be fixed ASAP. It won’t fix itself.

Why is my hot water orange?

Once the inside the internal tank of your water heater starts to rust and corrode the hot water turns orange. To prevent and deter this, some hot water systems have anodes are installed inside. These steel core rods, also known as ‘sacrificial anodes’, are surrounded by either magnesium, aluminium or zinc. They have been a staple of water heaters for decades and are very useful in preventing water tank damage and regular and expensive replacement costs. The rod will corrode instead of the water heater’s exposed steel through a process called electrolysis which occurs when two pieces of submerged metal rod react to a voltage. This protects the water heater from rusting and prevents the water from turning orange.

Anodes typically last between 3-5 – 5 years. Once the anode has fully spent, it fails to protect the tank which will start to deteriorate.  In time, a rusting water heater will cause problems that are typically more expensive to repair than simply replacing the anode. Regular anode replacement ensures your water heater continues to operate as intended and lasts longer therefore saving you money in the long term.

Getting back to enjoying clean hot water.

If your water heater is over 5 years old, we suggest you contact us and we can advise whether your anode may require replacement.

If you supply us with the make and model of your water heater we will be able to determine whether a service call is required.  Some anodes last longer than others, depending upon the material of which they are made, so a quick phone call will give us the information we need to make such an assessment.

RUSTY OR ORANGE HOT WATER?

If your hot water is orange in colour, has a rusty small and metallic taste, contact us for advice. Our trucks are on the road right now, stocked with thousands of spare parts and replacement water heaters, to get you back enjoying trouble free hot water quickly.

To ensure your hot water heater is operating safely and correctly, we recommend regular service every 5 years. If you supply our friendly hot water service technicians with the make and model of your water heater, we will be able to determine whether a service call is required.

We provide a fast same day service to customers throughout Sydney.