We are on a well system. We have a water softner. Right now the cold water is coming out of the spicket brown. The hot water is not as bad, however, black water comes out in spurts. Is this a problem or something that works out? We have had occasional brown water but it usually clears up.

Thanks carol

Hi Carol,

Sounds like your pump is sucking up soil. You need a well man to check it out. If left alone this will clog up your faucets. It could be your sand point has developed a split that's letting in the dirt. In the mean time it's building up on the floor of your heater. Your heater MUST be flushed to keep it clear.

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 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

Well water gets dirty when large quantities used, what could be the problem?

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Originally Posted by ForPeteSake

Well water gets dirty when large quantities used, what could be the problem?

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Sorry but that well water has been setting there since 2006. Lol

I know this is an old question, and again I feel bad that I wasn't on here before to put in my two cents. You probably have had your water tested, correct? How much iron did it say you have? What other minerals were present? It's crazy how different minerals can react with pipes to create a bunch of funky colors or water.

So you either need to fix the pump so that it is not pulling up stuff from the ground, or you need to get a filtration system that will block those minerals from coming into your house.
I would try both.

I thought this might be helpful to some. Although rare but this was the cituation. Living in west central Texas we have shallow 60-80 foot wells. My neighbor had a new 1/2 hp submergable pump installed after a couple weeks her water turned very dirty. After pulling the pump, I found that the pump"s intrigal swing check valve had little gravel pieces holding it open allowing the 60ft of water enter back into the well thus dropping the pressure making the pump cycle often thus keeping water stirred up and some what warm. I manually cleaned out the gravel then I installed an aftermarket check valve at the pump gave it 24 hr to settle. Now the water is clear again.