Bathroom Guide
Plumbing, Pipes......black specks?
I don't know if it's the pipes, something with plumbing or the water supply, though I doubt it's water supply. Anyway, in the main bathroom, when we turn the water on HOT, and mostly full blast hot water, tons of little black specks come out. We've changed the faucet, but that didn't work We've lived in this house for 10 years and it's the same thing every single time. Anyone have a clue as to what the problem is and how to fix it? I don't know about the water heater as the problem only presents itself in the bathroom sink. The shower, kitchen sink, downstairs bathroom are all fine. Wow Paul. Super answer! I can't wait until the kids are sleeping so that I can give this one a try! Thanks
Public Comments
- Maybe there are particles inside your hot water heater. You might try draining the water heater to see if it is the source.
- This happened at my house-exactly as you're describing. It turned out to be sediment that built up in the drain gets disturbed when it's blasted with hot water. You need to access the drain and clean it, right there where the water gets blasted onto it and this will stop. Guaranteed! You may need to unscrew the small round plate with the holes in it, and clean the underside of that as well.
- Sounds like you have a build up of scale in your pipes. If the black specks are hard then it is most likely scale and that will be coming from the pipes. If they are rubber like then you may have a rubber seal somewhere in the system that is falling apart slowly. Anyway you say that it is only a big rush of water to this particular outlet so it is something to do with this line. If it only happens in the one spot in your house, the main bathroom then that isolates it to the pipes or fittings on that leg of your plumbing. You say you have replaced the faucet so you know how to turn your mains supply water to your house on and off. I suggest you try to isolate the problem even further. Turn your water off; open a faucet to relieve the pressure in your hot water sytem tank. Remove the outlet pipe from your hot water service and have someone turn the mains tap on again but catch the water in a bucket. Check if the black specks are there or not, if they are then the problemn is further up stream, if not then it is further downstream which I think it probably is but you need to eliminate the origin of the specks. I think you probably get where I am going with this, keep tracking until you find what area the specks are coming from. If you find it is in the pipes you can flush them with all sorts of things to clean them out. But you will be forced to repeat fairly regularly as scale is just rust which breaks away and flows with the water. If you have copper pipes there may be a piece of steel pipe in the line and that is where your scale will be coming from. If the specks are coming from the heater and depending on what they are as to how you will need to deal with it. If all else fails take a sample of the specks to your local hardware or plumbing store, look for the oldest person working there and explain what is going on and what you know about the source. They may be able to help. Best of luck
