Seattle's water comes from protected mountain watersheds, which means it is low in minerals and slightly acidic. While this makes for great-tasting drinking water, it also means the water is more corrosive to certain pipe materials. Galvanized steel, which was the standard for supply lines in homes built before the 1970s, corrodes faster in acidic water. As the zinc coating wears away, the underlying steel rusts, releasing brown tap water and reddish water from pipes. Homes in older neighborhoods like Ravenna, Greenwood, and West Seattle are especially prone to this problem. The longer the pipes have been in service, the thinner the walls and the more likely you are to see rusty colored water.
Understanding Seattle's specific water chemistry and pipe history is critical to solving discolored water problems. Horizon Plumbing Seattle has worked in every neighborhood across the city, from the hillside homes in Queen Anne to the bungalows in Columbia City. We know which areas have the oldest infrastructure and which pipe materials are most at risk. We also stay current with Seattle's plumbing code updates and work closely with Seattle Public Utilities when city-side issues contribute to water discoloration. Choosing a local plumber who understands the unique conditions in Seattle means you get the right diagnosis and the right fix, not a generic solution that does not address the real cause.
