Rusty or dark stains on fresh laundry are almost always the water, and the culprits are iron, manganese, or sediment in the supply. The stains keep coming until the water is treated.
The rust
Iron in the water turns white laundry orange or yellow, and it can build up over several washes until the clothes look tinted.
The manganese
Manganese leaves gray or brown stains, and it is common in wells where iron is also present. hard water is common across the region, and older neighborhoods still have galvanized supply lines In Myrtle Beach, a water test separates the two.
The plumbing
Old galvanized or rusty pipes can also shed rust into the water, even if the source is clean, and a pro can tell which it is.
The fix
Treating the water with an iron or manganese filter stops the stains at the source, and the laundry comes out clean again.
The call
Get the stains out of the water. Call 888-217-3585 and Myrtle Beach Plumbing Helpers will match you with a Myrtle Beach pro.
Before you start
For Myrtle Beach homeowners, first identify whether the symptom is isolated to one fixture or appears across the home. Note when it happens, what fixtures were running, and whether the main shutoff is accessible. Photos and model numbers help a professional make a faster, more accurate recommendation.
A simple decision checklist
Before approving work in Horry County, ask what caused the problem, which repair options were considered, what access or permit work is included, and how the finished work will be tested. Confirm the scope, materials, cleanup, warranty, and price in writing.
When to stop DIY work
Stop troubleshooting if water is near electricity, sewage is entering the home, a gas appliance is involved, a pipe may be frozen inside a wall, or the repair requires opening a structural surface. Shut off water when safe and call a qualified professional.
Plumbing in Myrtle Beach: what to know
In Myrtle Beach, hard water is common across the region, and older neighborhoods still have galvanized supply lines. Pros in our network know the local quirks and bring the right parts on the first visit.
Across Horry County — from Conway, North Myrtle Beach and Carolina Shores to ZIP codes like 29577, 29579, 29572 — homeowners deal with the same kinds of issues. The tips above apply locally, and when a job goes beyond a quick fix, a vetted local pro is only a call away.
Need a hand in Myrtle Beach?
If a plumbing issue is beyond a quick fix, don't wait for it to get worse. Call 888-217-3585 and Myrtle Beach Plumbing Helpers will match you with a vetted local pro — usually within minutes. Learn more about plumbing help in Myrtle Beach.