Why Your Water Smells Like Metal
If your water smells like metal, it may be because there are elevated levels of metal in it. You can fix it by testing your water to identify the exact cause, installing the right water filtration or treatment system, and repairing or replacing corroded plumbing pipes.
According to the EPA, each American uses an average of 82 gallons of water a day at home. Most of the time, you go through these gallons of water without issue or a second thought. But there may be occasions where the water isn't quite right.
For example, if your home's water smells like metal, then you might be concerned. Why has this happened, and how can you fix it?
Why Do I Smell Metal in My Water?
If there's a metallic smell in your water, this usually means that there are elevated levels of metal present in the water supply. This can be:
Iron
Copper
Manganese
There are several possibilities for a metal smell in plumbing.
The first is that if you have an older home, you may have aging or corroded plumbing pipes. These slowly release metal particles into the water, especially if the water is slightly acidic. The smell may become stronger in hot water since heat accelerates corrosion and makes odors more noticeable.
In some areas, the issue may come from the groundwater source itself. In this case, naturally occurring minerals dissolve into the water before it even reaches your house.
The good news is that the smell itself isn't always dangerous. However, it's a sign that your water quality or plumbing system should be checked.
How To Fix Metallic-Tasting Water?
Now that you know the metallic water smell causes, the next step is fixing it. Here are the tap water odor solutions you can use.
Test Your Water to Identify the Exact Cause
The first and most important step in fixing your metallic-smelling water is to have your water professionally tested. Because the source can come from various sources (including iron, copper, manganese, zinc, or lead), each requires a different solution. For instance, if there's iron in well water, that's treated differently than copper leaching from old plumbing pipes.
A water test will tell you exactly which metals are present and in what concentrations. It can also tell you if your water's pH is contributing to pipe corrosion.
Once you know the cause, the next step is a targeted solution. Not only can this aid in improving water taste, but it also protects your pipes and fixtures from long-term damage.
Install the Right Water Filtration or Treatment System
Installing the proper water treatment system can make a huge difference. For instance, if iron or manganese is the issue, then a whole-house iron filter or oxidizing filter system can remove these before they reach your faucets. And if copper, lead, or other dissolved metals are the issue, then a reverse osmosis system or a high-quality carbon filter could be a great solution.
Does your home use well water? Then you may need water softeners or pH-neutralizing systems. This can reduce corrosiveness and prevent metals from entering the water.
Repair or Replace Corroded Plumbing Pipes
If the metal odor in your water is caused by corrosion inside the plumbing system, then no filter will fix your issue. You'll need a plumber to come inspect your pipes, and they can tell you if a repair or partial/full replacement is needed.
This can be a significantly bigger investment, but it's the most permanent solution. Not only can you improve water taste, but you can also reduce health risks and prevent future leaks and plumbing failures.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is Water That Smells Like Metal Safe?
Water that smells metallic isn't always immediately dangerous, but you shouldn't ignore it either. For example, if the cause of the odor is iron or manganese, then it's more of a nuisance than a health threat (but only in low levels). But if it's caused by copper or lead leaching from pipes, then long-term exposure can be harmful.
Even if health risks are low, you should still get the issue fixed. Metallic-smelling water can:
Stain fixtures
Discolor laundry
Affect the taste of food and drinks
Can I Shower if My Water Smells Like Metal?
In most cases, you can shower safely in water that smells metallic, especially if the odor's caused by iron or manganese. These metals can't be easily absorbed through the skin in harmful amounts.
However, it may not be a pleasant experience since the smell can be unpleasant. Plus, if there are high levels of certain metals, they may dry out your skin or hair, and they may also leave residue behind.
If the source of odor is pipe corrosion due to copper or another metal, then you may experience minor skin or eye irritation with frequent exposure.
Is It Safe To Drink Water That Tastes Metallic?
It's not inherently unsafe to drink water that tastes metallic, but you shouldn't make a habit of it, especially if you don't know what the cause is.
Small amounts of iron, copper, or zinc in your water don't make it harmful to drink. But if it's caused by lead or high levels of copper, then this poses real health risks over time.
The best thing to do is to get your water tested to get peace of mind about whether it's safe to drink.
If Your Home's Water Smells Like Metal, Take Action
We've said that if your home's water smells like metal, chances are, it's not harmful in the short term. However, it's always best to find out the source and fix it, as it may be something as bad as corroding pipes.
So if you have metallic-smelling water, don't ignore it. Take quick action, before a small issue becomes a larger and more expensive one.
Does your water have a metal smell, or do you have other water quality issues? Then get in touch with us today. We at Tim Beil Plumbing have been serving the local area since 1967, and we can provide you with a free water test!
