Why Is My Toilet Water Brown? These 4 Reasons Might be Why

You clean your toilet regularly—or semi-regularly—but the water is still brown. If this scenario sounds familiar, you’re probably wondering why your toilet water is brown and what you can do about it. Dirty toilet water can be an easy fix (cleaning) or a sign of a bigger plumbing problem (rusted pipes). Take a look at four reasons why your toilet water is brown and how to fix it. 

1. The Toilet Hasn’t Been Cleaned

Sometimes, the simplest explanation is the most likely. If you notice that your toilet water is brown, it may simply be because you haven’t cleaned the bowl in a while and it’s not the water that’s dirty but what it goes into. When the toilet isn’t regularly cleaned, bacteria and other residue can result in brown deposits over time. 

How to Fix It

Grab a toilet brush and start scrubbing! You can use a toilet bowl cleaner to break down the accumulated film and scrub around the bowl and under the rim. Flush and assess the cleanliness of the toilet bowl. For stubborn stains you may need to use bleach or baking soda. Repeat the cleaning process until the toilet bowl is back to its original color.

2. There’s Buildup in the Toilet Tank

Even if you clean regularly, rust or sediment in the toilet tank can turn the water brown. Every time you flush, these particles are released and discolor the water. The sediment or rust can also come from old or corroded toilet parts. 

How to Fix It

If you can narrow down the source of the rust—the flapper, for instance—you can replace it pretty easily. Alternatively, a local plumbing repair professional can do this task for you relatively quickly. If the tank itself is the problem, you can potentially replace it. This is a job for a pro as they will ensure the connections are done right and everything is sealed properly. 

3. The Pipes Are Rusted

While we typically don’t give much thought to the plumbing system beyond the toilet, the plumbing pipes are working behind the scenes to whisk away waste. More modern plumbing systems often use PEX or PVC pipes, which don’t rust, but older homes often used metal pipes that can corrode and rust over time. The rust will flake off and get into the water that flows into your toilet bowl, making the water brown. 

How to Fix It

To reduce the amount of rust in the toilet bowl, run cold water through multiple faucets throughout your home to flush out rust. Note: this isn’t a long-term solution. Rusty pipes will continue to be susceptible to corrosion, which will keep ending up in your toilet bowl. The best, but most expensive and most labor-intensive solution is to replace the plumbing pipes.

4. There’s an Issue With the Water Source

An issue with the main water supply is a less likely cause and if it does happen it is usually temporary. It is possible that local maintenance work can dislodge rust from pipes, allowing it to flow into your toilet. In some cases, weather conditions, such as heavy rainfall, can cause brown water.

How to Fix It

There’s not much you can do to fix the issue of brown water if it’s coming from the main water source. But the good news is that it’s likely a temporary issue. If you have brown toilet water for a few days, and you’ve tried other solutions to remedy the problem, contact your water provider to alert them of changes in the water quality.

When to Call a Pro

Seeing brown water in your toilet bowl can cause concern, but you may solve the problem on your own. Cleaning the toilet bowl and checking the tank and toilet components are good places to start. If you suspect the problem is in the pipes or with the water source itself, call a pro to discuss your concerns.