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View Full Version : Sediment in Pipes - flush it?


2leftfeet
Feb 13, 2007, 12:38 PM
Hi Group - this is my first post here.

A bit of background:

1973 House on a well
75ft of 1.5 pipe from well to house
No filter on well (yet)
No water softener
Copper plumbing

So recently I replaced the dying water heater - it was about 18 years old or so. During the replacement I cut into the existing horizontal water lines to replumb the new heater. The pipes were about 1/3 full of sediment and junk. Post replacement I had to clean out the inlet screen on my washer - it was totally plugged with sediment.

For giggles I dumped out the old water heater and lots of small stones came out with a huge amount of sludge and nastiness.

So I am going to add particulate filters in the well house to keep more gunk from coming into the house.

Here is the question - finally:

How do I blow or flush the sediment out of the pipes? I want to get rid of as much as possible before installing the filter.

I have a relatively shallow well with a Jet type pump mounted above ground. It is set to about 25psi. Do jet pumps create more junk?

Thanks in advance

speedball1
Feb 13, 2007, 01:07 PM
It sounds like you've dislodged some mineral built up in the pipe walls and the first fixtures making a draw sucked it up into the faucets. To clear out sediment from the faucet first shut the water off to the faucet and open up the faucet. Checxk and clean the inlet ports if a cartridge and the seat if a washer type. Before you reassemble turn the water back on to flush out the supplies. Do this on each faucet that's affected. Good luck, Tom

2leftfeet
Feb 13, 2007, 02:28 PM
Yes I see.

My question is more about getting the rest of the sediment out of the pipes before I install a filter.

Would running all the taps and hose bibs wide open for a period tend to get more of the gunk out of the pipes?

Thanks For the response

speedball1
Feb 13, 2007, 04:57 PM
Would running all the taps and hose bibs wide open for a period tend to get more of the gunk out of the pipes?

It would if the crud didn't clog up in the angle stop seats or the inlet ports of the cartridges in the faucets. Shut the water off at the house shut off and open up the faucets affected and check and clear the inlet ports. Now turn the water on to flush out the supply before reassembling. You should have a strong stream coming out of the open valve body. If not then remove the angle stop and flush again. Good luck, Tom