Mon to Fri 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM 333 Mountainview Rd S, Unit 11, Georgetown
905-702-2700
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Iron staining

Orange or brown stains in toilets, tubs, sinks and laundry. Very common on well water, and treatable once we know the type and level of iron.

Symptoms

  • Orange or brown rings in toilets and tubs
  • Rust-coloured stains on laundry and fixtures
  • Metallic taste
  • Water that turns orange after sitting
  • Black or dark stains where manganese is present

Common causes

  • Dissolved iron from groundwater passing through iron-bearing rock and soil
  • Oxidized iron particles from the well or from old steel plumbing
  • Iron bacteria forming slime in toilet tanks and pressure tanks

How we treat it

  1. Test iron, manganese and pH

    Form and level decide the treatment.

  2. Iron filter

    An oxidizing filter for moderate to high or oxidized iron.

  3. Softener

    Handles low levels of dissolved iron along with hardness.

  4. Order matters

    Iron treatment goes ahead of softening and UV.

Iron dissolves into groundwater from soil and rock and is one of the most common well water problems in this area. In its dissolved form the water looks clear at the tap and stains later; once it oxidizes it turns the water orange or leaves rusty particles. Manganese often travels with it and causes black or dark staining.

Treatment depends on the form and the amount. Low levels of dissolved iron can be removed by a water softener. Higher levels, or iron that has already oxidized, call for an oxidizing iron filter installed ahead of the softener. The test tells us which, so you do not buy the wrong equipment.

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Systems and parts we stock and install for this problem. Not sure which size? Ask us, or test first.

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