[My3PupsRule]

Hi AskMe!
Can a housefire somehow cause my water to look rusty? I've noticed chunks falling from my bathtub faucet. It looks like rust OR wood something. This did not happen prior to the fire.
My (cultured) marble bathtub has this blackish blue funk that has gotten down in/under the gel coat. I cannot get it out. When you take a shower, the water looks kind of oily or something.
Also the bathroom sink has (what looks like) rust around the drain/seal.
I'm almost AFRAID to drink the water!
I'd appreciate any thoughts.
Thanks so much.
God's Blessings,:)
Pups

[parttime]

Pups do you have a well or city water?

[hkstroud]

What kind of piping, copper, PVC, CPVC? Can't think of anything unless you have some kind of plastic piping. Possibly deterioration of plastic parts in faucets,or burned or overheated rubber washers in metal valves. Please the location and extent of fire.

[massplumber2008]

Hi M3PR,

You asked, "Can a house fire somehow cause my water to look rusty..."

Doesn't sound like a fire issue here. In fact, I'm thinking that your water heater may be shot as it sounds like your ANODE ROD may have been used up and the water is attacking the steel tappings and causing the rusty water. If this is the issue then most likely the water heater needs to be replaced BEFORE it leaks heavily.

The "chunks" from the faucet compliment my assessment in that dissolved anode rod can drop chunks of dissolved magnesium from the rod and some of it could certainly show up in your tub faucet.

Here's what I would do. I would POWER FLUSH your water heater. I would attach a hose to the drain at the bottom of the tank and direct the hose to the driveway outside (so you can see what comes out of the hose end), and keeping the water on full flow, open the drain and see what you see out on the driveway after about 5 minutes of flushing the tank.

If you see chunks/solids and rusty water then the heater is shot and needs replacement.

Glad to discuss more if you want, OK?

Mark

[My3PupsRule]

Oh I am SO GLAD to see answers!
I'll try to cover everything I was asked:
1. I'm on city water. I bought one of those water testers at Lowe's, but it didn't show anything. At this point, I don't know if I should even be glad about that!
2. I think I have a mixture of piping. The house is so old, it was built without a bathroom. I've seen copper pipes as well as plastic. I don't know what kind of plastic is is though. The fire pretty much took my entire house. It started in the cellar, where the furnace & water heater were/are.
3. Yes, something odd happened when the house was being rebuilt. Ok, bear with me here: The furnace & water heater were both in the cellar. They were within INCHES of each other. The furnace WAS replaced, but NOT the water heater... (I know, it was more "cost effective" to not replace the water heater)... THEN.. my cellar FLOODED. I did not know the water heater had not been replaced. I called the contractor who did the work. I was furious! I "tried my case" and won. They finally REPLACED the water heater. However, before it was replaced, the rusty-black-oily stains had started. After they replaced the water heater I thought that would correct the funk. NOPE. The lady from the water co said she thought the black stains in the tub were because the pipes/tubes on top of the water heater had the neoprene stuff and it melted-which caused the black etc.
BUT... it's since the water heater was replaced that all the rusty looking stuff is showing up.
Goodness, I so much appreciate everyone's help. I hope I'm not leaving off some important information that may hold the key to this query!THANK YOU-THANK YOU!
Pups