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    Kenny P's Avatar
    Kenny P Posts: 1, Reputation: 1
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    #1

    Jan 2, 2007, 12:32 AM
    Dirty hot water!
    My hot water all of a sudden has a tint and looks dirty. This has happened at all places in the house. Could this be a compromised supply pipe perhaps?:confused:
    Miss V's Avatar
    Miss V Posts: 12, Reputation: 1
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    #2

    Jan 2, 2007, 05:04 AM
    Sounds like possibly rusty pipes or, if it is well water, then you may have to consider having another well dug. If you're on a municipal or public water supply COMPLAIN IMMEDIATELY because you don't want sediment, metal, or any other contaminants entering your body. And you don't want to have your clothes ruined.
    speedball1's Avatar
    speedball1 Posts: 29,301, Reputation: 1939
    Eternal Plumber
    		  
    #3

    Jan 2, 2007, 07:58 AM
    I have another take on this. This is not a public water or pump issue, If it were you would be complaining about the cold water as well. Since you're not then this puts the cause squarely on the water heater and the mineral build-up of iron oxide,(rust) in the tank which has now entered your system. My bet is that you don't flush your heater on a regular maintenance schedule. For long life and fewer troubles you should keep your heater clear of mineral build-up by flushing on a regular schedule. Let me show you how. Attach a hose to the boiler drain at the bottom of the tank. With the pressure on, open the boiler drain and let it run until the water runs clear. You will see a spurt of red,(rust) followed by white grains,(lime or calcium carbonate). This shouldn't take more then a few minutes. Do this monthly to keep it clear. Now flush out your hot water lines on ALL fixtures. Now pull each aerator and clean the screens. Be sure you put them back togather the same way you took them out. Don't forget to flush it out every month. Your heater will thank you for it. Hope this helps, Tom
    Miss V's Avatar
    Miss V Posts: 12, Reputation: 1
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    #4

    Jan 2, 2007, 08:17 AM
    That's certainly a good point, but I assumed a new one year old house would have a one year old water heater. Isn't this just a little too involved of a problem for a first year unit?:confused:
    speedball1's Avatar
    speedball1 Posts: 29,301, Reputation: 1939
    Eternal Plumber
    		  
    #5

    Jan 2, 2007, 08:26 AM
    Quote Originally Posted by Miss V
    That's certainly a good point, but I assumed a new one year old house would have a one year old water heater. Isn't this just a little too involved of a problem for a first year unit?:confused:
    Mineral build-up has no time limit. It all depends on the mineral content in the water entering the system. If the mineral content's slight then the effect on cold water would be negligible but would build up in the hot water tank if the tank is not flushed and maintained and would show up in the hot water. We are talking about a one years build-up here. Plenty of time for rust to show up. Regards, Tom
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