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 Black Debris
Author: SwimRunPlumb (MI)

I have a customer on well water with a water softener that has black debris or crud coming out of the hot. I think it is just the hot. It is in the aerators.

The water also has a bad smell, which I plan on correcting with a new anode rod.

What is the black stuff though?

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 Re: Black Debris
Author: Wheelchair

I would begin with taking a sample of the black debris and determine if its from the water softener, filtering material. Second, determine if it is attracted to a magnet.

Best Wishes

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 Re: Black Debris
Author: RWP (SD)

Have you drawn and smelled and tasted the raw water? If there is sulphur in the water the black stuff will come from that.

- - - - - - - - - -

Retired after 50 years of plumbing and heating.

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 Re: Black Debris
Author: SwimRunPlumb (MI)

So what is the fix?

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 Re: Black Debris
Author: Wheelchair

Sulphur is a gas that can't be filtered. Water has to be stirred to remove sulphur gas. If the debris is coming from the water softener's filter bed, that is an issue for the water softener supplier.

Best Wishes

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 Re: Black Debris
Author: hj

Magnesium sulphate caused by a reaction of the soft water with the magnesium anode rod. Replace it with an aluminum one or a brass plug.



Edited 1 times.

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 Re: Black Debris
Author: hj

Se my other answer. The fix is either to remove the anode rod or replace it with an aluminum one. Then flush the magnesium debris out of the heater as much as possible.

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