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WATER STAINS AND WATER SPOTS SOLUTIONS IN MARYLAND, DC & NORTHERN VA

Stain + Spots || blue or green, red or orange, black or brown stains || hard water

BLUE OR GREEN STAINs

SIGNS OF COPPER + SELENIUM || CORRODING PIPES

CAUSED BY ACIDIC WATER

Harmful Effects

  • Acute copper poisoning: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, gastrointestinal illness, abdominal & muscle pain.
  • Severe cases of copper poisoning have led to anemia, liver poisoning, kidney failure & and even death
  • Hair & fingernail changes
  • Damage to the peripheral nervous system

treatment options Blue or Green Water Stains

Acid Neutralizer
Chemical Feeder
Water Softener
Learn More About Copper in Water
Learn More About Selenium in Water
A hose spigot on a house wall is leaking blue water, staining the siding and bricks below. Text on the image reads, No, Water is not BLUE! This is BAD! The National Water Service logo appears in the top left corner.

RED OR ORANGE STAINs

STAINING OF FIXTURES AND CLOTHES || BITTER OR RUSTY TASTE

CAUSED BY IRON

Harmful Effects

  • Too much iron can lead to liver disease, heart problems and diabetes.
  • Chronic fatigue
  • Joint pain
  • Abdominal painskin
  • Skin & hair color changes
  • Infertility

treatment options Red or Orange Water Stains

Water Softener
IBSB (Iron Breaker, Sulfur Breaker)
A bathtub with stained brownish-orange streaks below the faucet, indicating rust or mineral buildup on the white tub and tiled wall.

BROWN STAINs

SOUR, ASPHALTIC OR GREASY FLAVOR TO WATER

CAUSED BY MANGANESE

Harmful Effects

  • Diarrhea
  • Upset Stomach
  • Discoloration of sinks as well as clothing

treatment options Brown Water Stains

Water Softener
Carbon Tank
A dirty bathtub with rust and grime stains near the drain and overflow plate, showing green and brown discoloration on the surface.

BLACK STAINs

CAUSED BY IRON & SULFUR OR MAGNESIUM

Harmful Effects of Sulfur (Iron & Magnesium Listed Above)

  • Diarrhea
  • Dehydration

treatment options Black Water Stains

Water Softener
Carbon Tank
IBSB (Iron Breaker, Sulfur Breaker)
Reverse Osmosis
A basement wall with a white PVC pipe and insulation above a large black mold or soot stain, indicating possible water damage, mold growth, or a past leak near the plumbing.
A home water softener system with labeled components: 10-inch sediment filter, brine tank, two large tanks marked “Water Softener” and “IBSB,” and digital Clack valve heads, all installed against a basement wall.
Under-sink setup with a water filtration system, a water storage tank, a garbage disposal, water heater unit, and various pipes and valves, all enclosed in a cabinet with white doors.