Customers often contact the team at Allied Reddi-Rooter wanting to know why their home’s tap water looks cloudy and what they can do about it. While there are a few common culprits that can turn otherwise clear water hazy, it’s not an unusual conundrum here in Cincinnati. 

In fact, the Queen City is known as a hard water area, meaning that our municipal water, while safe to drink and use, has a high mineral content. Below, we’ll talk about why hard water makes your water cloudy, and two other reasons your tap water may not be crystal clear. 

Hard water

Let’s get right to it. Here in Cincinnati, most hazy water is caused by limestone buildup from hard water. Whether the buildup is in your pipes, faucets, or elsewhere, it’s typically easy to treat with a whole house water softener. 

Cloudy water caused by mineral build up isn’t harmful and usually doesn’t require a plumbing repair. However, if you notice that hot water coming from your tap is cloudy, it’s time to call a plumber. 

Trapped air bubbles

When air bubbles get caught in pipework, it can lead to cloudy tap water. This typically occurs after a pipe bursts or there’s been a change in your home’s water pressure. Both caused require a closer look. 

While it’s perfectly fine to drink cloudy tap water caused by these tiny air bubbles, you should contact a plumber to get to the bottom of the issue. The air bubbles could be the result of burst pipes, for example, and that is a serious plumbing problem. 

Sediment in the water

This is different than cloudy water caused by hard water. In this case, sediment has infiltrated your water supply due to your local water supply. Sometimes, homeowners will notice cloudy water if there’s construction happening nearby. 

So how do you know if your cloudy water is caused by Cincinnati hard water or sediment? Perform a simple test by leaving a glass of tap water out for 24 hours. If it’s hard water, the cloudiness should disappear quickly. If, 24 hours later, the water is still cloudy or there is residue on the bottom of the glass, it’s time to call a plumber. 

Unclear about what’s causing your home’s cloudy tap water? The team at Allied Reddi-Rooter is here to help  call or contact the team.  We always come highly recommended and have earned an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau for our expert quality of service. We’re here to help you with your sump pump needs, and more.

From mile high ceilings to stunning woodwork and craftmanship – older houses have character and beauty that can be hard to find in newer homes. But while the one-hundred-year-old stained-glass windows are awe-inspiring – one hundred-year-old plumbing isn’t (or at least not in a good way). 

Not only can it be difficult to troubleshoot and determine the cause of plumbing issues in an older home, but depending on how long it’s been since the plumbing system has been updated, it can be a costly and time-consuming job. The good news is that once the repair is made and your plumbing has joined the 21st century, you won’t have to worry about that part of your plumbing for decades to come. 

Below are four of the most common plumbing problems found in old homes in Cincinnati. Quick note: We’re addressing issues typically found in homes built in the late 1800s to early 1900s – back in the Victorian era that made Cincinnati an architectural gem. However, if your home is at least 30 years old, you might deal with the same issues. 

Bellied pipes

Houses settle over time. In older homes, where pipes might be encased in concrete or buried, pipes might be affected by the shifting of the earth and settling. Should the pipes shift downward, it can cause a “belly” that limits water flow. Worse, these bellies can lead to a pool of water that might contain waste. This can lead to clogged, foul-smelling pipes. 

Solution: Hire an experienced plumber to inspect your plumbing system to make sure there are no bellied pipes.   

Pipes made from outdated materials 

U.S. building codes change. In fact, even homes built thirty years ago might have pipes and other plumbing features that are no longer up to code. Back in the early 1900s, two of the most common types of pipes were lead and galvanized. Both can lead to issues in your home. 

Lead was the most popular choice for water main lines, sewer line and areas of the home due to its durability and its flexibility. It’s also extremely toxic and can lead to serious health issues including gastrointestinal problems, fatigue and memory loss. Although the use of lead in homes was banned in the 1980s, there is a chance that some older homes still have lead piping. 

Another popular choice for pipe material, galvanized pipes are actually a combination of iron and zinc. The problem with galvanized pipes is that, over time, the zinc layer can (and will) erode. This can lead to brittle, weak pipes that break and clog. 

Solution: Have a plumbing professional perform a comprehensive inspection of your home’s plumbing to identify if yours still has lead piping. You’ll need to remove that piping immediately. If you have galvanized piping, a plumber can replace sections at a time, starting with wherever your pipes are the most brittle.   

Worn out fixtures 

From faucets to shower heads, all plumbing fixtures will eventually need to be replaced. Antique handles and porcelain knobs, for example, might look great in the bathroom, but if the knobs are stripped from too much use, they can compromise your plumbing. 

The solution: Replace worm fixtures – don’t try to repair them or get by with a “quick fix.” If you love the look of antique plumbing fixtures, you can find updated versions at most home improvement stores. Or, visit an antique shop to find some that are in much better shape. 

Sewer line problems 

If you live in an older home and notice a foul smell coming from a sink or appliance like the dishwasher, or if you notice bubbling after you flush the toilet (especially if water bubbles in sinks at the same time), the culprit might be a faulty sewer line. If you have recently remodeled your home or otherwise added modern appliances like a dishwasher, your older sewer line might not be used to having so much water moving through it. 

Additionally, sewer lines can be damaged by tree roots that grow into the line, or from older, brittle material. Ground shift can also cause problems. 

Solution: Schedule a video inspection of your sewer main. Not only can the video reveal the state of your sewer line but it will identify any issues that need to be addressed so you aren’t stuck with a costly repair. 

Have an old home? The team at Allied Reddi-Rooter has been helping homeowners across Cincinnati keep the plumbing in their beautiful, older homes in top shape. We are here to help you with yours, too.  Call the team at Allied Reddi-Rooter a call at 513-396-5300, or contact  us via our website.  We always come highly recommended and have earned an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau for our expert quality of service.

Choosing among Cincinnati plumbers is a big decision. After all, you’re trusting a technician with one of the most important systems in your home. If you hire a plumber who doesn’t know what they’re doing, or a plumbing company that doesn’t care about their customers, you could end up needing even more plumbing services than you did before. 

The team at Allied Reddi-Rooter cares deeply about our customers and is committed to offering every home and business owner exceptional service. There’s a reason we’ve been in business for so long. Simply put, your confidence is our number one priority. 

Here are more reasons you can be confident when choosing Allied Reddi-Rooter for your plumbing needs. 

We have more 70 years of experience

Allied Reddi-Rooter has been serving Cincinnati area homes and businesses for 72 years. With more than seven decades in the industry, it stands to reason that we’re one of the top plumbers in Cincinnati. 

Our technicians are plumbing experts

Our technicians are always learning the latest in plumbing trends, techniques and tools. For example, we were one of the first Greater Cincinnati plumbing companies to offer residential main sewer videos so homeowners can have visual confidence when they need a sewer main repair.

We give instant and firm estimates

We offer our customers immediate estimates on all residential plumbing services and repairs. In fact, 95% of the time, we can give estimates over the phone with no unexpected add-ons after our technician performs services. For those repairs that have us scratching our heads over the phone, we will come to your home, inspect the repair, and then provide a free, firm price. You’ll never be surprised by Allied pricing. 

We offer overnight, emergency services

We know some plumbing repairs simply cannot wait. That’s why our technicians are on-call 24/7, ready to repair serious plumbing issues immediately. And we never charge additional fees for overnight repairs. 

And we prioritize next day repairs

Need a plumbing repair or service that isn’t an emergency but still is important to address quickly? If so, we offer priority service scheduling for the next business day for non-emergency plumbing repairs.

Free second opinions

We provide peace of mind through our no-obligation free second opinions that might include a phone conversation, our interpretation of your plumbing repair project, a timeline, and a written estimate if desired.

Need a plumbing repair or is it time to schedule maintenance? Give the team at Allied Reddi-Rooter a call: 513-396-5300, or contact  us via our website.  We always come highly recommended and have earned an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau for our expert quality of service.  You can follow us on Facebook, @Allied Reddi-Rooter for the latest tips or to ask questions.  https://www.alliedreddirooter.com/grease-trap-cleaning/  We’re here, ready to earn your confidence.