Nobody wants to walk into a room with yellow toilet water. It’d probably disgust you if someone didn’t bother flushing it properly after doing their business. However, there’s more to it than fits the eye.
If you’re wondering what causes yellow water in the toilet, you’ve come to the right place. We’ll go over the most common causes and how to deal with them.
What Causes Yellow Toilet Water?
A variety of factors, including hard water & minerals, contaminated water, rusted pipes, and other factors, can cause the water in your toilet to turn yellow. Let’s go over possible causes and solutions.
1. Hard Water Residue & Minerals
The amount of dissolved calcium and magnesium in water is the simplest definition of water hardness. Hard water contains a high concentration of dissolved minerals, primarily calcium and magnesium.
A small amount of these minerals is not harmful. Some of these minerals, however, accumulate on the walls of your pipes over time. As this blockage becomes too large, parts of it will be washed away with each flush of the toilet. This is the primary cause of yellow toilet water.
Mineral deposits cling to the sides of your toilet, especially if you don’t clean it regularly.
2. Contaminated Water
Another possibility for yellow toilet water is contamination by your public water service. The water in your bathroom’s supply line may occasionally mix with wastewater in the building’s sewer lines. Yellow or brown water in your toilet bowl can also be caused by contaminated bathroom water.
In addition, schedule regular inspections of your toilet’s water supply and sewer pipes. Arrange for an immediate repair of any pipes that have structural damage or leaks.
3. Rusted Pipe and Bolts
Yellow water in your toilet bowl shouldn’t surprise you if your home’s plumbing system is old.
The main water supply lines in most older homes were made of galvanized steel or iron pipes.
Because of their durability and sturdiness, galvanized steel pipes were especially popular. Steel or iron pipe fittings, no matter how strong they are, rust.
Rust forms over time. Furthermore, as clean water flows through the pipes, it scrapes away the accumulated rust particles (even more with high-pressured water flow).
When you flush, the water-rust mixture flows into your toilet bowl, giving it an unpleasant appearance.
This is also true for rusted steel bolts. Toilet cisterns frequently have multiple bolts. They rust over time as a result of being exposed to water.
Steel bolts are strong and long-lasting, but prolonged exposure to water thins them out.
4. Stagnant Water in the Toilet Bowl
Due to dust, bacteria accumulation, and chlorine residual, stagnant water in the toilet bowl can turn yellow. This is a problem, especially if you rarely use the toilet.
As a general rule, the longer you leave stagnant water, the more likely it will discolor. The only way to get rid of stagnant water in the toilet bowl is to flush it on a regular basis.
Read More:
How to Get Rid of Yellow Toilet Water
Let’s be honest: no one wants discolored water in their toilet bowl! This not only makes you uncomfortable, but you may end up explaining a lot to your guests. Yellow water, brown stains, and even worms in the toilet can cause a lot of discomfort – and rightfully so.
So, here are some solutions to your toilet disaster.
- Rust removal from toilet tank bolts
- Replacement of pipe fittings
- Remove the mineral buildup
- Regularly flush the toilet
1. Rust removal from toilet tank bolts
Using a flashlight, inspect the bolts on your toilet tank to see if they are rusted. If you notice enough rust on the bolts, the water will turn reddish-yellow.
Simply brush the bolts with a stiff brush with tough bristles to clean them. With a brush and some elbow grease, you should be able to remove the rust.
If the rust is too difficult to remove with a brush, you may need to replace the bolts with new ones.
2. Replacement of pipe fittings
Apart from rusted toilet tank bolts, replacing rusted pipes with new pipe fittings is required to resolve the toilet yellow water issue.
Should you hire someone to do it? To install new pipe fittings, it is best to hire a professional plumber. It will most likely cost you more than simply cleaning the rusted parts, but it is completely worth it.
3. Remove the mineral buildup
Mineral deposits can form on the bowl surface and in the cistern over time. Cleaning these deposits on a regular basis will remove yellow water from the toilet.
Once you’ve identified the areas with mineral build-up, simply scrape them away with a stiff brush.
Finish by flushing the toilet three times to prevent the scraped minerals from reaccumulating in the cistern.
To clean the interior of the toilet bowl, use a bristle brush and toilet cleaning detergents.
Some of our recommended toilet cleaning agents are as follows:
- Vinegar + baking soda (we swear by this eco-friendly and handy cleaning combo)
- Coca-cola
- Borax and vinegar
- Borax powder
- Essential oils + lemon juice
- WD-40
- Bleach
4. Regularly Flush The Toilet.
If standing water is the primary cause of yellow water in your toilet, you should consider flushing it on a regular basis. If you will be gone for an extended period of time, delegate the task to a trusted neighbor.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How do I whiten my toilet bowl?
Sprinkle baking soda liberally on the inside of the toilet bowl. Scrub and spread the powder around, then pour white vinegar into the toilet bowl. Allow for 15-30 minutes before rinsing.
Can I put vinegar in the toilet tank?
You certainly can. Pour white vinegar into the tank without draining it, stopping at least an inch below the top rim. Allow the vinegar-water solution to sit overnight or for 12 hours to dissolve any mineral deposits or rust.
To drain the vinegar-water solution, flush the toilet several times, then turn off the water valve. Scrub the rusty areas with your trusty brush. Reconnect the water supply and flush the toilet once more, or until the toilet tank and bowl water are clear.
Conclusion
When you see yellow toilet water, know that it isn’t just unflushed pee. It could be something more serious, such as rusted pipes or bolts, mineral deposits, or contaminated water.
If you can’t get those yellow stains out with simple cleaning methods, hire a professional plumber to investigate further. Although yellow water in the toilet is harmless, you don’t want to start your day looking like this.
