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What Are the Black Specks in My Water?
If you have black specks in your home’s water, something’s not right—and identifying the source of the problem is essential to fixing it and restoring your home’s supply of clean water.
Here’s a look at the most common sources of black specks from tap water and how to get rid of them.
Top 3 Sources of Black Specks in Water
- Pipe corrosion: Old pipes can begin to corrode after many years of use. When they do, small, irregular pieces of pipe can break off and wind up in your water. Corroded pipes usually end up sending black specks through cold water taps, and these black specks are most apparent when your home’s water has been turned back on by the water company after a shut-off.
- Pieces of corroded water heater: If you see black specks when you turn on your hot water in the tub, shower, or sink, your water heater is likely corroding, or the water lines to and from the water heater are corroded. It’s not uncommon for black specks to remain on the sides of sinks, tubs, and showers after the hot water has been turned off.
- Pieces of broken parts: Are the black specks in your water small and rubbery? These could be disintegrated pieces of a rubber gasket, washer, or flexible supply hose. Rubber can begin to break down after years of use or because of disinfectants used in the city’s water supply.
How Do I Get Rid of Black Specks in My Water?
While black specks in your water can be alarming, the good news is that there’s a lot that can be done to get rid of them—and prevent them from coming back!
Depending on the source of your water’s black specks, cleaning up your water could involve:
- Water heater maintenance service
- Water heater repair or replacement service
- Water line repair or replacement
- Faucet repair or replacement
- Water conditioning system installation
- And other plumbing services
To get first-class solutions to restoring your home’s water and maintaining your plumbing system, contact Len The Plumber. Our expert plumbers are ready to help!
Call 800-950-4619 or contact us online for plumbing service in Maryland, Northern Virginia, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Washington, D.C.
We proudly offer 24-hour emergency service at no extra charge, as well as flexible financing options and the highest-quality service.
From Len The Plumber Heating & Air