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Author:
mack4691 (IL)
Every once in a while (4 months or so), I get dark brown water (almost black) that comes out of my master bath sink/shower and tub faucets. Also happens, occasionally in downstairs powder room, and only once in upstairs 2nd bedroom. Never in kitchen or guest bath. Usually lasts for about 4-5 min, then runs clear. My plumber has no idea. Any opinions??
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Author:
hj (AZ)
That usually means that there is a steel pipe or fitting somewhere in the area that is rusting. IF the water is not used periodically, the rust accumulates and then comes out all at once when a faucet is turned on.
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Author:
mack4691 (IL)
Thanks for the reply. That would make more sense for the tub or powder room, which are not used that often, but The odd thing is, I use that shower every day. Wondering why it happens there too?
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Author:
packy (MA)
if it is a steel pipe rusting, it clears up in a matter of seconds rather than 3-4 minutes.
it can't be a water heater, can it ??
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Author:
sum (FL)
I have something similar once in a while. Brown water out of the faucets once in a blue moon that clear in a few minutes.
In my case it is when the city water or department crews flushed a fire hydrant near by.
Typically when it happens its with these characteristics:
(1) Always happen after a work day, like when I get home after work. Never when I get up in the morning while it was clear water when I went to bed.
(2) When it does happen during strange hours like on weekends, each time I called the city and they confirmed there is a water line break repair.
(3) The brown water would show up on the closest usage point to your main shutoff. Places further to the shutoff would take a bit more time to clear the existing water in the pipes before the brown water shows up.
(4) You may not see dirty water out of tge hot side because that dirty water may be hitting a 40, 50, 60 gallon tank and the hot water doesn't look dirty. The cold side looks much dirtier.
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