I heard that if your building was made before 1978, you could have more lead in your water. Now what are these black rubbery looking little chunky things that build up in the showerhead, and even the sink water tap gradually? is this lead? or rubber? what is normal now.
2007-12-23 05:13:35 · 4 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Earth Sciences & Geology
The potential for more lead in your water is not from the pipes themselves. Its from the solder used to connect the copper pipes together. Before 1978, solder was a mixture of lead and tin. Small amounts of lead can leach out in to the water stream where the water touches the solder in the joints. It is still controversial if these extremely small amounts of lead are detrimental to health or not. Arguments can be made in both directions. In any event, because the lead amount as so small and diluted, you cannot see, smell, taste, or feel them. They can only be detected by a lab.
The black rubbery chunks are more likely a rubber gasket or faucet washer that is disintegrating. Excised minerals are usually very hard.
2007-12-23 05:56:22 · answer #1 · answered by Tom-PG 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Lead in the tap water is from one of 2 sources---lead solder or a lead service line feeding the bld. All water plants are required to monitor for lead and copper under the Safe Drinking Water Act and if "over the limit" amounts are found--the plants must take corrective measures. The "black rubbery things" are probably a disintigrating washer or gasket of some type.
2007-12-23 14:30:34 · answer #2 · answered by retwwwman 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It isn't lead because lead doesn't flake off. As mentioned, minerals in the water will attach themselves to the inside of metal pipes and can break loose if the water pressure is turned off or the pipes froze slightly.
Do you have a cartridge type water filter somewhere, especially one of the carbon jobs for purifying drinking water? If so, you might make sure those black chunks isn't carbon from a damaged filter.
2007-12-23 13:35:48 · answer #3 · answered by bikinkawboy 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Pipes of any kind can get a coating of sediment and minerals inside that sheds. I would defintely collect some of the stuff and have it tested by your water/sewer provider. Contact whoever you pay your bill to. Don't drink the water till you find out what it is.
2007-12-23 13:20:07 · answer #4 · answered by justbeingher 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋