I recently replaced all of the plumbing inside my walls and put in a new bathtub, faucets, etc. I used all copper pipes and used compression fittings and sweating for put everything together.
I first put in a black galv. nipple to attach the new faucet to. I changed that to a silver galv. steel nipple and then replaced that with an all copper nipple. Each nipple as created dirty water (little black coal or charcol looking "dust") when the faucet has not been used for a few days.
Our water is very high in iron content but we soften it prior to its use. This did not with the old tub and pipes, only since everything was changed.
What is causing this "dust" or "soot" in the water? I thought it might be the combination or the galv. and cooper, but it keeps happening now that everything is copper.
Dave
COMMUNITY FORUM
Dave
The iron in the water is the source of your problem. Something is causing it to separate out of the water. A water softener will not necessarily remove iron from the water, but you probably need to install an iron filter. This will keep happening until you do. It will also have consequences for your water heater and cause you to have smelly water (after it eats away at the annode rod inside the water heater). With galvanized piping, the iron was leached out to the inside of the piping. Typically attaching itself to the pipe and reducing the diameter. Copper pipe resists the iron. Now, iron is not a bad thing for your health, its just hard on the piping system.
Good Luck
Raymond VinZant Plumbing Prof.
The iron in the water is the source of your problem. Something is causing it to separate out of the water. A water softener will not necessarily remove iron from the water, but you probably need to install an iron filter. This will keep happening until you do. It will also have consequences for your water heater and cause you to have smelly water (after it eats away at the annode rod inside the water heater). With galvanized piping, the iron was leached out to the inside of the piping. Typically attaching itself to the pipe and reducing the diameter. Copper pipe resists the iron. Now, iron is not a bad thing for your health, its just hard on the piping system.
Good Luck
Raymond VinZant Plumbing Prof.
