Quick Answer:
If your water turns brown after the ground and pipes froze and then thawed, it’s usually rust and sediment that ice movement loosened inside the pipes or the water heater. Start by inspecting any exposed pipes for signs of frost movement, then open the cold taps first and flush until the water runs clear. Do not re-pressurize frozen lines without flushing loosened rust; if the problem continues or you see leaks, call a plumber.
Why This Happens
When pipes freeze, ice can shift slightly and scrape pipe interiors or loosen built-up rust in older iron fittings and water heaters. When the ice melts, that loosened material gets carried into your plumbing. You may notice cloudy or brown water at some fixtures right after thawing. In many cases this is temporary and affects only parts of the house. If you’ve seen **Brown water from faucets suddenly**, that points to loose rust or sediment moving through the lines after the thaw.
Step-by-Step What to Do
1. Inspect exposed pipes for frost movement
- Look at any exposed pipes in basements, crawlspaces, attics, or along exterior walls for signs of recent movement: shifted insulation, frost lines, bulges, or small cracks.
- Check for active leaks or new wet spots where ice may have lifted a joint or fitting.
2. Open the cold side first and flush
- Go to the nearest cold tap and open it fully. Leave it running while you move to other fixtures.
- Flush each cold tap and outdoor hose bib until the water clears. Flushing the cold side first helps push loosened rust out before it circulates to the hot side and the water heater.
3. Then flush the hot side
- After cold water runs clear at most fixtures, run the hot taps. The water heater often collects rust and sediment; running cold first reduces the chance of sending fresh rust into your hot lines.
- Run both kitchen and bathroom fixtures for several minutes. Check the bathtub and shower as well.
4. Clear the main line if needed
- If multiple fixtures show brown water, open the lowest and highest fixtures (for example, basement and upstairs taps) to help move sediment out of the mains.
- Flush until clear. If it takes more than 10–20 minutes or never clears, stop and consider professional help.
5. Check specific fixtures
- If only a single fixture shows brown water, test other taps. Isolated issues may point to a local problem like a corroded faucet or heater. If you see **Rusty water from bathtub only**, that suggests the issue is local to that fixture or the branch serving it.
What Not to Do
- Do not re-pressurize frozen lines without flushing loosened rust.
- Do not drink or cook with discolored water until it clears or you have confirmed it’s safe.
- Do not use harsh chemical cleaners in the hope of clearing rust from plumbing — they won’t fix corroded pipes and can damage fixtures.
When to Call a Professional
- If brown water persists after thorough flushing of cold then hot lines.
- If you find active leaks, bulged or cracked pipes, or reduced water pressure after thawing.
- If discolored water appears with a strong metallic smell, or multiple fixtures and appliances are affected.
Safety Notes
- Use bottled or boiled water for drinking and cooking until water runs clear.
- If you suspect a burst pipe, shut off the main water valve and call a plumber immediately.
- Watch for electrical hazards in flooded areas. If a space is wet and electrical panels or outlets are involved, turn power off and get professional help.
Common Homeowner Questions
- How long will brown water last? Usually minutes to a few hours after thorough flushing; if it lasts longer, call a pro.
- Is brown water dangerous? It’s usually just rust and not a health emergency, but avoid drinking it until cleared and consult a plumber if it persists.
- Can I fix this myself? Often you can by inspecting exposed pipes and flushing cold then hot lines; call a plumber for leaks, persistent discoloration, or damaged pipes.
For more related articles, see the Brown or Rust-Colored Water Events hub.