Quick Answer:
If you taste a metallic flavor after winterizing your plumbing, the first action is to stop drinking the water and flush the lines. A metallic taste is usually caused by stagnant water reacting with pipe metals or by trace residues left in traps and fixtures. Follow the steps below to clear your system safely; if the taste or odor remains, call a professional.
Why This Happens
When water sits in pipes for weeks it can pick up metal ions from copper or brass fittings, creating a metallic or bitter taste. Winterizing sometimes puts small amounts of antifreeze or de-icer into traps and low points to prevent freezing. Even non-toxic propylene glycol can leave a noticeable taste if it reaches taps. In other cases, corrosion, a disturbed scale in the water heater, or a change in water chemistry after refilling the system is the cause.
Step-by-Step What to Do
1. Stop using the water for drinking or cooking
Don’t drink the water until you’ve flushed and tested it. Use bottled water for drinking and food prep until the issue is cleared.
2. Flush all fixtures after winterization
Open every cold and hot tap in the house, one fixture at a time, and run them for several minutes. Include showers, hose bibs, utility sinks, and rarely used rooms. This pushes any trapped antifreeze or stale water out of the lines.
3. Clean faucets, aerators and shower heads
Remove faucet aerators and screen filters and rinse them. Sediment and residues can sit in these parts and deliver a metallic taste even after you flush the main lines.
4. Run appliances that use water
Run the washing machine and dishwasher through a full cycle with no laundry or dishes to clear lines. If you notice a similar issue with laundry, see Copper taste in laundry water for more details on washing-related flavors.
5. Check the water heater
If the heater was drained or bypassed during winterizing, refill it and allow it to reach temperature, then run hot taps. Sediment or disturbed scale in the tank can add metallic taste; flushing the heater according to the manufacturer’s directions can help.
6. Repeat and assess
After flushing, taste the cold tap water only. If the metallic flavor is reduced or gone, continue using water normally. If the taste stays or you smell chemicals, stop and call a plumber or a water testing service. For issues that resemble returning from a long break, compare steps with guidance for a Metallic taste after long vacation.
What Not to Do
- Do not drink water immediately after winterization.
- Do not rely on boiling to make contaminated water safe; boiling can concentrate some contaminants.
- Do not mix or pour unlabelled antifreeze into plumbing; if unsure what was used, seek professional help.
When to Call a Professional
- The taste or chemical smell remains after thorough flushing of all fixtures.
- Multiple household members feel ill after consuming the water.
- You suspect the wrong type of antifreeze (automotive ethylene glycol) was used in the plumbing.
- Visible corrosion, leaks, or discolored water appear after refilling.
Safety Notes
- Many plumbing winterizing products are non-toxic propylene glycol, but they are not meant for human consumption. Treat any antifreeze residue as a contaminant.
- If you smell a strong chemical odor or see oily sheens, ventilate the area and avoid skin contact. Wear gloves if handling contaminated parts.
- If anyone shows signs of poisoning after exposure, seek medical attention and bring product labels if available.
Common Homeowner Questions
- Will flushing remove antifreeze taste? Generally yes—thorough flushing usually removes residues; persistent taste needs testing.
- How long should I run taps? Run each fixture several minutes until water tastes and smells normal; run hot and cold separately.
- Can I boil the water to make it safe? No—boiling does not neutralize chemical residues and can concentrate some contaminants.
Related Articles
If you’re troubleshooting a similar symptom, these guides may help:
For the full directory, see Metallic Taste, Copper Taste, or “Pennies” Smell.