I asked a couple of weeks ago about a water heater with rusty water. The water is a rusty orange color when you only turn on the hot water. It is clear with cold. Recommendations from this board and friends suggested we replace our water heater. My husband and I replaced the hot water heater last night. However the water is still orange. Will this take a bit to flush out the pipes before the water runs clear? We noticed the rusty water about a month ago-not sure how much build up there is. We have a water softener, there is no odor to the water, and our neighbors do not have this problem. The house is 5 years old. Any suggestions would be helpful. Thanks!
2006-12-19 12:15:50 · 8 answers · asked by ltlbabie 1 in Home & Garden ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
Most of the piping is copper. We have been finishing our basement and the piping going into the new bathroom is CPVC.
2006-12-19 12:59:52 · update #1
wow, that new of a house and the water heater went that quick? i would've thought it had a warranty. here's what i'd do; i would take the screens out of the faucets and clean them with an old tooth brush. do the same with the screens in the washing machine too. those will be in the hoses and there are some in the back of the machine where the hoses hook up to it. the water should clear up pretty quick after you do that. read the section in your new water heater manual about flushing the heater and follow their recommendations as to how often you should do it. another thought, are you the last house on a dead end street? if you are maybe you should get a filter for the water line as you could be getting all of the sediment washed into your lines. good luck and happy holidays!!!
2006-12-19 12:28:24 · answer #1 · answered by car dude 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Do you have copper pipes or PVC, or iron. This problem could also be a result of excess iron build up and will re occur even if you change the hot water heater. You may try checking the lines to make sure the hot is not connected to the iron or copper version. However if your house is only five years old it is most likely PVC or copper, which do not account for the problem. In this case try to flush your lines by running water through them into an outside source or into a bucket until the water runs clear, then reconnect the lines to the hot water heater. If you have no smell then you have eliminated sulfa as a problem and it would be most probable that the lines need to be purged.
2006-12-19 12:35:40 · answer #2 · answered by idigmoose1 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sounds like some of the piping is rusting on the inside. This could be anywhere from where the water comes into the water heater to the sink or faucet where you're having the problem. Let's resolve some issues. 1. do you have this colored water at every faucet in the house or just one? If it's all of them then your problem is close to the water heater. If it's only at one or some in the same part of the house, then it could be in the lines going to that part of the house. Most homes now have PVC pipe. If yours does also then I suggest you look for any metal pipe coming out of or going into the water heater.
2006-12-19 12:30:47 · answer #3 · answered by mmoorenatas 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
What part of the country do you live in? Are you on a city water supply, a municipal utility district, or are you on a private well? You say your pipes are copper, so it sounds like the water entering your house might need to be sampled, in order to eliminate any foreign substance entering from outside. You might need a licensed plumber to inspect your system, to check for any cross connection, or to ensure there aren't any dissimilar metals in contact with each other causing electrolysis. Copper pipe connected directly to galvanized (steel) pipe while start a chemical reaction, thus harming your pipes from the inside. You also say you have a water softener. Make sure it was installed properly. Hope this helps!
2006-12-19 13:43:30 · answer #4 · answered by poppyman54 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the water is clear when cold
you obviously have a water heater problem.
check to paperwork to see if it is under warranty. most are a MINIMUM of 6 years but i guess there are cheaper ones out there
suggestion- if you're going to be there for a while in that house then don't spare on the new one get the best. your house is worth it. don't treat yourself like a landlord treats a rental.
but if that is all you can afford is a cheap one then ya gotta do what you can
but remember "the sweetness of low price is forgotten when the bitterness of poor quality comes to the surface"
2006-12-19 15:34:37 · answer #5 · answered by Da_Bears70 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Flush out your hot water heater, will get most of it. It more than likely has not been flushed out in a long time and has been neglected. Start thinking about replacing it, once it starts rusting out like that inside its about time to get another one. Can just google how to flush it, tons of info online about the process. Best to watch a video anyhow, do not want you to get burnt or have make a mess.
2016-05-22 22:28:09 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
you never said what type of plumbing you have . If its galvanized it may take a while or never clear up. Anything else should clear up in a couple days
2006-12-23 04:44:23 · answer #7 · answered by jerry 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you never said what type of plumbing you have . If its galvanized it may take a while or never clear up. Anything else should clear up in a couple days
2006-12-19 12:21:49 · answer #8 · answered by roy40372 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋