You pour yourself a glass of water, take a sip, and something doesn’t taste quite right.
Instead of tasting clean and refreshing, it has an unpleasant metal like flavour. And while that can be off-putting, it’s a surprisingly common issue that many households experience.
It’s probably happened to you before, and while it might not be harmful, it’s certainly frustrating.
Why Does Tap Water Taste Like Metal?
Metallic tasting water is usually the result of small amounts of metals or minerals entering your water from a lack of filtering. These are most likely to include:
- Iron
- Copper
- Zinc
- Manganese
Naturally occurring minerals can find their way into our water, and in many homes this is caused by the pipework.
Water that’s sat in pipes for a while will have had more time to absorb metals before reaching your tap, which is why water can often taste metallic first thing in the morning.
Does Hard Water Cause Metallic Tasting Water?
Hard water isn’t likely to directly cause a metallic taste, but it could be part of the problem.
Limescale builds up in pipes, taps and appliances over time, and as build-up occurs, it can change how water flows through your plumbing. This can become more noticeable as pipes become older.
The other symptoms of hard water that can occur alongside a metallic taste include:
- Limescale build up around taps
- White spots on glasses, cups and cutlery
- Appliances losing efficiency
Why Does Water Taste More Metallic First Thing In The Morning?
If your water tastes like metal first thing in the morning, it’ll be because it has had time to sit in the pipes and collect trace minerals.
Metals have more time to get into your water the longer it’s been sitting in your pipes. Copper and other metals can easily find their way into your water if it’s been stagnant for several hours.
Many people find running the cold tap for 20-30 seconds before use helps. Doing so flushes through excess water that’s sat in the pipes, however it may not get rid of the metallic taste completely.
Is Metallic Tasting Water Harmful?
Metallic water is generally safe to drink.
If the metallic taste starts suddenly or is particularly strong, contact your water supplier. They can advise you if it’s cause for concern and whether you should get your water tested.
If you own an older property with old or corroding pipework you should definitely look into why your water tastes metallic. Older pipes are more likely to transfer their trace minerals into your water, so it’s worth testing to be sure.
How Can You Improve The Taste of Tap Water?
There are several things you can do to improve the taste of your water.
It might help to:
- Run your cold tap for 20-30 seconds before filling your glass as stagnant water can taste metallic.
- Don’t repeatedly boil the same water. You may need to flush out build-up from your kettle if it’s started to go dark.
- Get your plumbing inspected if you have an older property. Older pipes may be responsible for unwanted flavours in your water.
Flushing out your pipes and improving water quality will often improve the taste.
How Can Halcyan Help?
Halcyan is an eco friendly water conditioner that fights hard water, preventing new and removing old limescale without the need for salts or chemicals.
Instead, it changes the behaviour of minerals that cause limescale, so they won’t stick to your pipes, heating elements and appliances.
Our unique technology means less scale build up, so you’ll protect your plumbing and stop scale returning.
Many people also find that water simply tastes better. Water feels ‘cleaner’, kettles don’t become built up with limescale and you can enjoy hot drinks that haven’t been affected by huge scale deposits.
Plus, while Halcyan can’t remove metals from your water, reducing your property’s level of limescale can help improve water quality from the inside out.
Enjoy Water That Tastes Better
You shouldn’t have to taste a metallic flavour every time you drink water from your tap.
It’s much easier to treat your whole home than play guessing games with individual symptoms. Protect your plumbing and take control of your water today with our water conditioning systems.
