The bigger picture
About this topic
White deposits on a faucet, orange stains in the sink, or a smell from the hot tap can each have a different explanation. Start with where the problem appears and when it began.
Choose the symptom you’re seeing
Our guides cover hard-water signs, iron staining, rotten-egg odors, and sediment. Compare hot and cold water and notice whether one faucet or several are affected.
Appearance isn’t a safety test. If your supplier has issued an advisory, follow it. For a well, ask about appropriate testing while the symptom is investigated.
