If you’ve noticed that there are black specks in your home water supply, it’s a sign that something is not right. It’s important to identify the source of this problem and fix it to restore the quality of your water supply. In this article, we will look at three of the most common causes of black specks and how the problem can be fixed.
- Corroded Plumbing Pipes
After years of faithful use, plumbing pipes can corrode and degrade in quality until they need to be replaced entirely. Up until that point, the corrosion will cause the release of smaller pieces of pipe that break up into the water flowing through the pipe. The pieces of pipes are typically smaller flakes that look like black specks unless you look at them very carefully. This phenomenon is more apparent if the water company turns the water back on after a shut-off. The sudden release of water shakes the corroded flakes of pipes loose, and they enter the water supply again.
- Broken Rubber Parts
Most home plumbing systems use rubber parts in a number of different roles. Rubber is used to make parts, such as washers, gaskets, and supply hoses, and this material is extremely effective at maintaining a water tight seal. But, rubber does degrade over time, and as it ages, it begins to crack and break apart slowly. This causes the release of tiny pieces of rubber into the water passing through the pipe. The primary cause of the breakdown of rubber is the chemicals used to disinfect public water supplies.
- A Corroded Water Heater
The water heater in your home works hard, and if you notice black specks when running hot water into a sink or tub, this could be the source. The water heater could be corroded, or the pipes connecting to the rest of the plumbing system may be degraded. This is noticeable after draining a sink or emptying a tub, and there may be small black specks around the sides.
What is the Solution?
If you can see tiny black specks in your water supply, it can be very disconcerting. But, it’s important to understand that this material isn’t a direct threat to your health. That being said, most people don’t want these black specks in their water supply, and they are a warning that there is an underlying problem that needs to be fixed. A local professional plumber will be able to diagnose the cause and suggest how to fix it for good. In many cases, a little maintenance may suffice, but it may be time to replace the water, or perhaps your
plumbing pipes need to changed.
If the pipes in your home degrade quickly, the public water supply may be the cause. If this is the case, it’s a good idea to consider a water treatment system to treat the water that comes into your home. This will protect your plumbing pipes and fixtures and improve the overall water quality.
By Giovanni Longo President Flood Brothers Plumbing
Giovanni Longo is a 3rd generation master plumber who has been practicing his craft and trade in the greater Los Angeles area for well over a decade and a half. A plumbing and hydraulics-engineering innovator, Giovanni’s particular world-class expertise focuses on dealing with challenging sewer system designs as well as resolving complex commercial and residential draining issues. As a certified Flood Mitigation expert, he is also well versed in a wide variety of water damage and remediation solution.
