You hop out of the shower, towel wrapped around your head, and as you start drying your hair you catch a glimpse in the mirror. Something looks… off. Instead of your usual shade, there’s a strange green tint shining back at you. Cue the panic: “What on earth did my hairdresser do?!”
Before you rush to make an angry phone call, let’s hit pause. The real culprit might not be your stylist at all—it could be your plumbing.
The Copper Connection
Most homes built in the last few decades have copper pipes running behind the walls. They’re reliable and long-lasting, but they’re not immune to chemistry. Over time, copper can actually dissolve into your water supply. This process—called leaching—happens when:
- Your water is more acidic than it should be.
- The copper content in your supply is already on the high side (common with both city water and wells).
When that water makes its way to your shower, the copper doesn’t just vanish down the drain. Instead, it can settle onto surfaces—including your hair.
Why Hair Turns Green
Here’s the tricky part: hair isn’t all created equal. Blonde and lightened hair is especially porous, which means it soaks up minerals like a sponge. Chemically treated hair can be just as vulnerable. Once copper bonds to those strands, it oxidizes and leaves behind that all-too-familiar green tint.
And if you’re a swimmer? That “chlorine green” you’ve heard about is usually copper’s fault too. Chlorine doesn’t dye hair green on its own—it reacts with copper already in the water, making the effect more noticeable.
What You Can Do
The good news: you don’t have to live with mystery-colored hair or corroding pipes. Here are a few steps that really help:
- Test Your Water – Simple kits or a professional inspection can reveal your copper levels and pH balance.
- Add Protection – A whole-home filter or water softener can reduce metals and stabilize acidity.
- Stay on Top of Maintenance – Healthy pipes mean less corrosion and fewer surprises.
- Guard Your Hair – Swimmers use sprays, leave-in conditioners, and clarifying shampoos for a reason. Even at home, these can reduce buildup.
When to Call in the Experts
If you’re noticing green streaks in your hair, or even stains on your sinks and tubs, it’s a warning sign that your plumbing may need attention. Left unchecked, copper corrosion can shorten the lifespan of your pipes and lead to expensive repairs down the road.
At Ensor Plumbing, we don’t just fix leaks—we help homeowners understand what’s going on behind the scenes. If your water is leaving more than just a bad taste, give us a call. We’ll test, troubleshoot, and find a solution that protects both your plumbing and your peace of mind.
The takeaway: Green hair isn’t a hairdresser problem—it’s a water problem. The fix starts with your pipes, and Ensor Plumbing is here to help you tackle it head-on.