Discoloured water, a musty smell, visible particles, here are seven clear signs your tank is overdue, and what each one actually means.
- Discoloured water. Yellow, brown, or cloudy water straight from the tap usually means sediment or rust has built up at the tank base and is being disturbed into the supply line.
- A musty or metallic smell. Often a sign of biofilm or bacterial growth on the tank walls, this needs more than a rinse.
- An odd taste, even after boiling. Boiling kills some bacteria but doesn't remove dissolved solids, sediment, or the taste they carry.
- Visible particles or sediment. If you can see it settling in a glass of tap water, it's already well past the point of being invisible in the tank.
- Skin irritation after bathing. Not always tank-related, but worth ruling out, especially if it started after a long gap since the last clean.
- Visible algae or green tinge, especially in warmer months. Algae needs light, a cracked lid or poor sealing is often the real underlying issue alongside the clean itself.
- It's simply been more than 6 months. Even with no visible symptoms, sediment and biofilm build up gradually and invisibly, the recommended interval exists precisely because problems aren't always obvious before they're serious.
What if none of these apply, should I still worry?
Most contamination isn't visible, smellable, or tastable until it's well advanced. That's the whole reason certified lab testing exists as part of a proper clean, a water test tells you what your senses can't.