Ask Experts Questions for FREE Help !
Ask
    kristen222's Avatar
    kristen222 Posts: 3, Reputation: 1
    New Member
    		  
    #1

    Dec 8, 2012, 05:54 PM
    Hot water running brown/rust colored
    The hot water in my house was running brown/rust colored. I had an old hot water heater, so I replaced it. However, after about a month, the water is still running that brownish/rust color (from every faucet in the house). What could be causing this?
    massplumber2008's Avatar
    massplumber2008 Posts: 12,832, Reputation: 1212
    Senior Plumbing Expert
    		  
    #2

    Dec 8, 2012, 09:51 PM
    Hi Kristen

    Are you on city/town water supply or a well system? Let me know, OK?

    Mark
    kristen222's Avatar
    kristen222 Posts: 3, Reputation: 1
    New Member
    		  
    #3

    Dec 8, 2012, 10:23 PM
    Quote Originally Posted by massplumber2008 View Post
    Hi Kristen

    Are you on city/town water supply or a well system? Let me know, OK?

    Mark
    Yes, I am on city water in Denver (which is typically known for great water - the cold is just fine). My house is older and did sit vacant for a while before I bought it. The old hot water heater had quite a bit of rust and sediment in it when I drained it and changed it out. I figured the new water heater would take care of the problem, but it doesn't seem to have done so.
    massplumber2008's Avatar
    massplumber2008 Posts: 12,832, Reputation: 1212
    Senior Plumbing Expert
    		  
    #4

    Dec 9, 2012, 07:24 AM
    OK, more questions...

    Do you have a water softener?

    Do you have a whole house filter?

    What kind of water piping do you have, copper, galvanized, brass?

    Finally, does the cold water show any rust/brown residue?

    Back to you...

    Mark
    speedball1's Avatar
    speedball1 Posts: 29,301, Reputation: 1939
    Eternal Plumber
    		  
    #5

    Dec 9, 2012, 07:36 AM
    And I have another question, Do you flush and maintain your heater on a regular basis> Back to you, Tom
    massplumber2008's Avatar
    massplumber2008 Posts: 12,832, Reputation: 1212
    Senior Plumbing Expert
    		  
    #6

    Dec 9, 2012, 10:19 AM
    It's a brand new water heater, Tom, but she should certainly get in the habit of flushing the new tank on a regular basis, for sure!
    speedball1's Avatar
    speedball1 Posts: 29,301, Reputation: 1939
    Eternal Plumber
    		  
    #7

    Dec 9, 2012, 12:41 PM
    It's a brand new water heater, Tom,
    Not exactly "brand new" Mark.
    after about a month, the water is still running that brownish/rust color
    The OP admits to a month ands God only knows how much longer then that,
    Also,
    My house is older and did sit vacant for a while before I bought it.
    My bet's on old galvanized pipes in the hot water system that have been loading up wit rust from the old heater for ears, I'll bet if she rep-0laces here hot water pipes and flushes out her faucets the problem will. Disappear. Your thoughts? Tom
    massplumber2008's Avatar
    massplumber2008 Posts: 12,832, Reputation: 1212
    Senior Plumbing Expert
    		  
    #8

    Dec 9, 2012, 04:50 PM
    That's why I asked her all the questions I did, Tom. Could be any of the above, for sure!
    kristen222's Avatar
    kristen222 Posts: 3, Reputation: 1
    New Member
    		  
    #9

    Dec 9, 2012, 10:34 PM
    Quote Originally Posted by massplumber2008 View Post
    That's why I asked her all the questions I did, Tom. Could be any of the above, for sure!
    Thanks for all the back and forth. To answer your questions:
    1. No water softener
    2. No whole house filter
    3. Looks like I have both copper and galvanized pipes - some sections copper, some galvanized.

    Sounds like it might be the pipes. I should have them replaced?
    Tom - I've had the water heater for 2 months and I have not flushed it yet. I have read your other comments on how to do that and I'll be sure to do that monthly moving forward.[/QUOTE]

    Oh, and the cold water is clear, but it seems like the cold water line is all copper and the hot line is the mixed sections of galvanized/copper.
    speedball1's Avatar
    speedball1 Posts: 29,301, Reputation: 1939
    Eternal Plumber
    		  
    #10

    Dec 10, 2012, 03:29 AM
    If it were my call I'd replace those old galvanized pipes. Let's see what Mark thinks. Tom
    massplumber2008's Avatar
    massplumber2008 Posts: 12,832, Reputation: 1212
    Senior Plumbing Expert
    		  
    #11

    Dec 10, 2012, 05:27 AM
    It's unanimous! Sounds like the old pipes are the issue, for sure!
Not your question? Ask your question View similar questions
 

Question Tools Search this Question
Search this Question:

Advanced Search

Add your answer here.


Check out some similar questions!

Brown water AND rust buildup [ 2 Answers ]

We have well water and have serious rust buildup in our bathtub and sink. It seems to be more when we use hot water. When we leave for vacation and come back there is a big rust stain in the tub where the faucet slowly dripped a little. I have to use a whole bottle of The Works to clean the bathtub...

I have small skin colored and dark brown colored bumps on the base of my penus [ 5 Answers ]

I have noticed that from around 6 months back I have developed some strange sort of bumps on my penus first they started as just one or two bumps but now after six months they are around ten. When I squeeze them only a tiny amount of blood comes out. They are skin colored as well as some are dark...

The hot water in the tub has rust in it [ 1 Answers ]

The hot water in the tub has rust in it, is this from the water heater? The kitchen sink & bathroom sink hot water seems to be fine.

Loads of rust in hot water faucets [ 1 Answers ]

We have been away from our hse. For long periods over the last several years... only this last trip did we discover LOADS and LOADS of thick rust coming out of all hot water faucets. We totally drained the water heater, flushed it out, refilled and still seem to have a problem though not nearly as...

Hot water smells of iron or rust [ 2 Answers ]

Whenever I wash my hands in hot water or rinse my face, or even shower, the hot water smells of rust or iron. What does this mean?

View more questions Search