When you work with the plumbers from At Your Service Plumbing, Heating & Air, one of the top areas of service you receive speaks to the quality of your water. We offer numerous related services, from water filters and softeners to water treatment systems and even basic water heater repair or replacement in cases where the primary heater is wearing down.
We help prevent numerous contaminants from entering your water supply, keeping you and your family provided with healthy water at all times. One potential contaminant format that homeowners should always be on the lookout for: Black specks in the water, which is particularly common in older homes or worn-down pipe systems. Let’s look at some of the common sources of black specks in your water, plus the treatment methods you might need to consider if you spot these in your water supply.
Common Sources of Black Specks in Water
There are a few frequent culprits when it comes to black specks found in water:
- Corroded water heater: In some cases, the specks you notice will actually be tiny pieces of the inside of your water heater that have broken off due to long-term wear-and-tear. One sign that this is the source could be noticing the specks when you turn on hot water, whether in the tub, shower or sink. In other cases, the water line leading from the water heater to your fixtures could be corroded and leaving the specks in the water. These specks will often remain on the side of your tub or sink even once the water is no longer flowing.
- Corroded pipes: Another possible area of corrosion is your pipes, especially if they’re older and have been in use for many years. Irregular pieces may break off and wind up in the water. Unlike a corroded water heater, the more common time you’ll notice these kinds of black specks is when you turn on cold water rather than hot.
- Broken rubber parts: Have you noticed that the black specks are actually slightly rubbery? In this case, they could be disintegrated or broken pieces of a washer, gasket, supply hose or one of the other rubber components used in your system. Rubber breaks down based on disinfectants used in water supplies.
Methods for Removing Black Specks
Luckily, there are several treatment methods that can remove black specks from your water and also prevent them from returning. This depends on the source they come from, with possible solutions including:
- Water heater maintenance or repair
- Water heater replacement
- Water line repair or replacement
- Installation of water conditioning system
- Pipe retrofitting or replacement
- Faucet repair or replacement
If you notice these issues in your water supply at any point, contact the pros with At Your Service Plumbing, Heating & Air to assist you right away.
