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Red residue on your faucet, bathtub, or shower can be a nuisance and cause concern.
Although many things can cause this problem, most often, it is caused by hard water. It can often be impossible to remove.
If you have ever cleaned your shower with bleach or used different chemicals to clean your bathroom and noticed that there were still some stains left, then read this article to find out how you can remove red residue from the water.
Why Is There a Red Residue In The Water?
There are several reasons why there might be red residue in the water.
High Level Of Iron
It is likely because of Iron if you have ever noticed a red color in your water. Iron is a mineral that is essential for life, but it can also cause problems like rust or corrosion.
Iron in the water is a common cause of red residue in the water, and it can be caused by anything from a leaky pipe to a rusty filter to an iron filter. Iron can come from either natural or artificial sources, but either way, it’s usually caused by the corrosion of metal pipes or plumbing fixtures like sinks or bathtubs.
Several factors can cause Iron in water:
- Water softeners can create an excess of Iron in your system, leading to discoloration.
- If you’ve been using a good amount of chlorine, it can leave traces in the water, which will cause the Iron to oxidize and turn red.
- You’ll see a red tint if you’re not using enough chlorine (therefore letting all your Iron become free).
Iron can enter your water supply when there’s an increase in Iron in your soil. It happens when runoff from fertilizers and pesticides enters rivers and streams, which then flows into groundwater.
You may see this coloration in your water if you have an iron-contaminated well. The main reason for this is that the Iron binds to other chemicals in the water, including bicarbonate ions (which are used by plants), nitrogen compounds (which are used by plants), and sulfates (which are used by animals).
Algae In Water
Another thing that could cause red residue in your water is Algae, a plant that can live in both fresh and saltwater. The algae usually form colonies and spread through the water by releasing spores, which then attract other types of algae. When this happens, it can change the color of the water from clear to red or brown.
Algae come in many colors: green, blue, black, and red. Algae can also be found in lakes, rivers, and streams. It grows best in warm water with plenty of nutrients like phosphorus and nitrogen—which helps make it possible for them to grow quickly.
Rust In Water
Rust is caused by a lack of oxygen in the water. It leads to an accumulation of iron oxide on the inner surface of pipes and fittings. Iron oxide is extremely corrosive and can eat away at pipes and fittings, causing them to leak or leak more frequently.
Other Chemicals
Another source of red residue in the water is nitrogenous compounds like ammonia and nitrates. These compounds can come from various sources, including fertilizers used on lawns, organic waste rotting in landfills, or even natural sources like rainwater runoff or decomposing plants and animals.
Dirt In Water Line
Sometimes it’s just dirt that’s causing red residue in the water. It can happen if there’s been an influx of earth into your pipes through construction activities like digging or filling up holes in the ground with new soil layers (like you might see after building a retaining wall).
How To Get Rid Of Red Residue From Water?
Several methods can help you eliminate the red residue in your water.
Bleach
A common method for removing red residue from water is to add bleach to the water and let it sit for several minutes. It will reduce the amount of red residue in the water.
Vinegar
Another method is to add vinegar to the water and let it sit for several minutes. Vinegar has a strong smell, so if you do this outside, be sure not to breathe too deeply or open your eyes too wide.
Salt
The third method is to add salt to the water and let it sit for several minutes. The salt will kill
bacteria or other microorganisms in your water that may cause your red stain problem.
Boiling
Another thing that can help remove red residue from your water is boiling it for a few minutes. It will allow any ammonia or nitrite (which causes the red stain) to be removed from the water and make it crystal clear again.
Baking Soda
Add one tablespoon of baking soda to one gallon of water and stir until the baking soda dissolves completely. Then pour this into your pool or spa. It will help remove red residue from your water and other stains on the bottom of your pool or spa, such as dirt or algae.
Use An Iron Filter
One of the easiest ways to get rid of the red residue in the water is by using an iron filter. This filter is made of cloth or paper, allowing any sediment or dirt particles through while blocking unwanted chemicals such as nitrates and pesticides.
The iron particles will oxidize any organic material in your water so that your filter system can filter it out without causing any damage to your faucet or pipes around your home’s plumbing system.
Conclusion
Finally, if none of those things are causing the problem, but you still see this red color in your water, it could be because there’s something wrong with the plumbing in your home or business’s pipes.
This can cause rust-like deposits on pipes and other metals that may have been used during construction years ago and only recently started leaching into drinking water systems nearby.
In that case, it might be time for you to consider hiring someone who specializes in removing red residue from water systems so that they can perform their test run on your system before fixing it completely.