The bathroom is almost perfect on all sides, but there is one problem: why is my toilet water yellow? Albeit unhygienic to look at, yellow water in toilet is common. It can be a lasting issue if we do not solve it right away, which might affect our health and toilet function.
Refer to the table below to see the main causes and solutions for this problem. A more detailed explanation regarding the discolored water in toilet bowl will be shared in this article, keep on reading.
| Causes | Solutions |
| Rusted pipes | Pipes need to be replaced. |
| Rusted toilet tank bolts | Replace the old bolts with new ones. |
| High mineral levels in water | Replace the pipes or clean the toilet tank, install a water filter, and use softeners. |
| Stagnant toilet tank water | Initiate a flush multiple times until the water color turns back to normal. |
| Water softener | Since it is normal if the water softener is newly used, wait until the yellowing is gone. If necessary, use a softener that is salt-free. |
| Contaminated water | Damaged sewer pipes call for a licensed plumber. |
| Municipal water system maintenance and repair | Wait until the process is finished. |
Reasons Why Toilet Bowl Water Looks Yellow
Before we tackle the problems and corresponding solutions let us start with the basics. Did someone just forget to flush after they peed?
And if the toilet water is brown all of a sudden, especially after pooping, you might just need to flush it again to completely take away the residue down to the drains.
But if that is not the case, then continue reading to find out how to fix yellow toilet water and what causes this situation.
Rust in the pipe fittings of the water system may be why the toilet water is yellow after flushing (or even red and brown), especially if the house is already old.
We used iron or galvanized steel pipes back in the day but now, we mostly utilize corrosion-resistant pipes such as copper with the anticipation of material aging that can affect water quality.
Solution:
In this event, you will have to ask a licensed plumber to take a look at your water system and replace the old pipes with new and better ones. With this solution, we can now get rid of yellow toilet water.
To prevent this issue from recurring in the future, you might want to have a water filter system.
The tank contains some of the most important parts of a toilet, especially those in charge of the flushing mechanism and storing and refilling water. Along with these parts are the bolts that also go through the tank surface (you can see them from outside and below the tank).
Suppose the toilet water is yellow all of a sudden. In that case, the culprit may be those corroded tank bolts asking to be replaced since they have been submerged in the water for who-knows-how-long, and they have to deal with condensation.
Solution:
We need to replace those rusted bolts with new ones, preferably all brass, so it will not happen again.
- Turn off the water shut-off valve and drain the toilet tank.
- Loosen the nuts of the bolts by applying penetrating oil and leaving it for about 10 to 15 minutes.
Try to wrench the nuts out. If it doesn’t work, resort to cutting the bolts with metal cutters such as a hacksaw (you might want to ask for help if you haven’t used the tool before).
There are different minerals in the toilet well water that never really cross our minds. Sodium, calcium, magnesium, and iron are some of them. The said mineral presence is a notorious reason for discolored toilet water and yellow film in the toilet too.
The well water picks minerals up when it travels to the ground, leaving mineral deposits in our pipes.
Solution:
We recommend cleaning the toilet tank since there might be a build-up of minerals if you use hard water. In this, you will:
- Shut off the water valve in the toilet. Do not drain the tank.
- Add at least a cup of white vinegar into the tank and allow it to sit for 12 hours to eliminate and dissolve the mineral buildup.
- Flush the toilet repeatedly to drain the vinegar from the tank and scrub the remaining gunk.
- Repeat the steps if necessary.
If a toilet tank full of minerals is what causes your toilet water to be yellow, then this should solve the problem. We also recommend that you:
- Install a water filter to help clear house water in general from minerals and debris.
- Use a water softener to remove minerals that we mentioned earlier such as calcium, iron, and magnesium.
However, if you have done all of these but the yellow toilet water is still present, the pipes might be the problem and are probably surrounded by mineral buildup.
- In this case, you need a licensed plumber to professionally replace your pipes. You can still add a water filter and softener as yellow water prevention in the future.
There is this Reddit post about someone coming back to yellow toilet water after vacation. Guess what? The water cleared when they flushed it.
When you don’t use your toilet for a long time and there is water in the tank, the latter becomes stagnant and gets dusted. Bacteria and chlorine residue are also two other culprits in this case.
Solution:
Flush your toilet regularly.
If you’re going on a vacation, have someone to take care of your house. Better yet, turn off the main water supply so your tank will not store water that will turn yellow unused.
This is a system of filtration that removes volumes of calcium and magnesium which makes hard water.
Earlier, we recommended having a water softener to combat the high level of minerals in the water. But upon using it, you noticed that the toilet water turned yellow overnight.
Don’t worry, this is normal especially if you just started using it. The yellowing is because of the regeneration or cleaning (since it cleans itself). It will go away on its own and all you have to do is wait. But if it continues to be a bother, here are some of what we can do.
Solution:
You can switch to a different salt for the softener or you can also pick a water softener that doesn’t use salt.
If the yellowing of the toilet water doesn’t go away, the resin might be the reason.
Again, the resin might be newly installed or simply has poor quality. If the latter is the case, change the resin.
The discolored toilet water and its yellow films might be because sewage water has contaminated your water supply through a damaged pipe. This is also a case where the toilet water is brown all of a sudden.
Solution:
Have a licensed and professional plumber check the problem and replace the pipes if they rule necessary.
Ensure that you disinfect the toilet as well to avoid threats to your health.
If your neighbor’s toilet water is also yellow, then this might be the case.
All we have to do is wait for the maintenance or repair to be finished and keep in mind that when the municipality turns on the water, it might be yellow due to the sudden inflow.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Yellow Toilet Water Dangerous For Health?
Yellow toilet water caused by mineral build-up is harmless. But if it is caused by sewage water contamination, it can pose health dangers.
Microorganisms such as parasitic and pathogenic bacteria and viruses are just some of what is present in sewage waters, which has the potential to make us ill. Two examples of what we can acquire are polio and hepatitis.
What Does It Mean When the Water Is Yellow?
Yellow water can mean that it is concentrated with minerals such as calcium and magnesium, has contact with rust, or is contaminated (sewer contamination, for example).
Conclusion
Why is my toilet water yellow? Rusted pipes and toilet tank bolts, high levels of minerals present in the water such as calcium and magnesium, and water in the tank left unused or stagnant might be the reasons.
The water softener can also be the cause when newly installed. If the neighborhood system is undergoing repairs, then yellow water is normal due to the water’s sudden influx when turned on.
The worst-case scenario is sewage water contamination due to pipe problems. In this case, immediately call a plumber because exposure to it can be harmful.
I’m Paulk Webb, and I work as a writer for Saveourwaterrebates. I’m happy to put in the time and effort to conduct market research to identify the most pressing issues faced by households concerning their plumbing. Feel free to check out our guides to get the most informed recommendations for how to solve your problems.