Why Is My Well Water Staining My Toilets and Sinks?
Solving Orange, Red, and Brown Stains in Fixtures
If your toilets, sinks, tubs, or appliances are getting stained with rusty or reddish-brown deposits, you're probably dealing with a common water quality issue, and we can fix it.
At Summers Well Drilling, we help homeowners across our service area (Northwest Arkansas, Northeast Oklahoma, Southwest Missouri) test and treat well water for iron, manganese, and hardness - the most common causes of staining and discoloration.
What Causes Well Water Staining?
These minerals aren't usually harmful but they're frustrating. They can damage pipes, shorten appliance life, and leave your bathroom looking dirty no matter how often you clean.
Iron
Iron is the #1 culprit behind orange and reddish-brown stains in toilets and sinks. Even small amounts can leave marks.
Manganese
Manganese can cause gray or black stains, often in toilets or dishwashers.
Hard Water Minerals
Hard water minerals (calcium and magnesium) can lead to cloudy white buildup, especially on glassware and fixtures.
How Do I Know What's Causing It?
The first step is testing your water. Summers offers:
We can quickly tell you what's in your water and what it will take to treat it - no lab delays, no confusing jargon.
Treatment Options That Actually Work
We install proven, low-maintenance systems designed for well water from the ground up.
Air Iron (IMB) Filters
Oxidizes and removes iron before it reaches your plumbing - no chlorine or chemicals needed.
Air Sulfur Filters (IMS)
Removes both sulfur and iron for homes with multiple water issues.
nuvoH2O Salt-Free Softeners
Prevents hard water scale buildup without salt, wastewater, or electricity. Great for off-grid or eco-conscious homes.
We'll recommend the right system based on your test results, and install it properly so it works from day one.
Don't Try to "Filter It at the Tap"
Pitchers and faucet filters are designed to remove contaminants such as chlorine, lead, and some chemicals, but they are not effective at addressing iron or water hardness (caused by high levels of calcium and magnesium) from well water.
These filters typically use activated carbon or ion exchange resins, which lack the capacity to handle significant mineral content like iron or hardness.
Iron and hardness issues in well water require treatment at the source, typically with specialized systems such as:
These systems are installed near the pressure tank or main water line to treat water before it enters the home's plumbing, ensuring all water used is addressed.
Point-of-use filters like pitchers or faucet filters cannot handle the volume or type of treatment needed for these issues.
We recommend and install Impression Series Air Sulfur (IMS) and Air Iron (IMB) Filters. They are extremely effective in removing hydrogen sulfide and iron, commonly associated with problem well water.