Metallic Taste, Copper Taste, or “Pennies” Smell

A clear glass of tap water on a kitchen counter

This page covers metal-like tastes and odors in household water, commonly described as a copper or pennies-like smell. These changes can be localized to hot water, a particular faucet, a shower, or an outdoor spigot, and often begin after plumbing work, outages, winterization, or pressure events. Some issues are worse after water sits and improve after flushing.

Related subcategory hub: https://homefixerguide.com/water-contamination-taste-odor/

General metallic or pennies taste/smell

Use these articles when the metal-like taste or pennies smell appears at the tap without an obvious location or recent event.

  • Metallic taste in tap water

    A starting checklist for metallic tastes at the kitchen or bathroom tap, covering common municipal and plumbing causes and initial checks you can do yourself.

  • Pennies smell from faucet

    Steps to distinguish a true metallic odor from other sulfur- or chlorine-related smells, with quick tests to narrow likely sources.

Hot-only, heater refill, and shower clues

Choose these when the issue is isolated to hot water, appears after a water heater refill, or is strongest in the shower.

  • Metallic taste only in hot water

    Typical causes include corrosion or anode reactions inside the water heater; this article explains how to check the heater and anode rod.

  • Metallic odor after heater refill

    Why refilling a drained heater can release metallic tastes and how flushing and cycling the heater may resolve the smell.

  • Metallic smell from shower

    How shower-specific fittings, cartridges, or scale buildup can produce metal-like odors and what to inspect first.

After pipes, repairs, outages, or winterization

Problems that begin after new piping, a repair, a supply outage, or winter shutdown often have distinct causes and remedies.

  • Copper taste after pipe replacement

    New copper piping commonly produces a metallic taste at first; this article outlines expected durations and flushing recommendations.

  • Taste after installing new pipes

    Factors such as flux, solder, or residual construction debris can affect taste; guidance on flushing and when to contact the installer.

  • Metallic smell after plumbing repair

    Repair-related disturbances to scale or dislodged corrosion can cause temporary odors; this piece explains how long to expect them and next steps.

  • Copper taste after water outage

    Pressure changes and oxidized pipe lining can release metals when service is restored; flushing and sampling tips are included.

  • Metallic taste after winterization

    Winterization and de-winterization processes can introduce contaminants or disturb deposits; this article covers common scenarios and checks.

Location-specific metallic taste

If the taste or smell is strongest in one area of the house, these articles help focus the investigation.

  • Metallic taste only in kitchen

    Look at kitchen fixtures, filters, and dedicated supply lines; this article lists likely culprits and simple tests to run.

  • Metallic smell from outdoor spigot

    Outdoor lines and spigots can have different materials and seasonal effects; guidance covers spigot inspection and winter-related issues.

  • Copper taste in laundry water

    When laundry water tastes metallic, consider separate supply feeds, appliance connections, or localized corrosion as possible sources.

Pressure, sitting, and flushing behavior

These items describe how the taste or smell changes after pressure events, after water sits, or following flushing.

After filter install or long vacation

Changes tied to filter work or a period of inactivity can produce noticeable taste shifts.

  • Metallic taste after filter install

    New filters can introduce odors or require break-in flushing; the article covers installation checks and when to replace or re-rinse media.

  • Metallic taste after long vacation

    Water sitting in plumbing during absence can change taste; recommendations include system flushing and targeted fixture checks on return.

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