Rusty Plumbing

[Bird]

I have an outdoor water faucet that protrudes through the vinyl skirting of this mobile home and every time it's turned on, I get a cup or two of very rusty water first, then it runs clean. The old hose bib also leaked pretty badly around the stem when the water was on, so I bought a new hose bib this morning and replaced it. The old hose bib appeared to be all brass, but was very rusty inside. And since the water line under the house was thoroughly wrapped and taped with insulation, I didn't know what it was until this morning, but would have expected it to be PVC, so the rust was a bit of a puzzle. However, this morning, when I went to replace the hose bib, I found that the water line is galvanized pipe and the interior is quite rusty. So now I know why I get rusty water to start with every time it's turned on.

Now the only way I know of to get rid of the rust is to replace all that galvanized pipe; a job that I really don't want to do. So, is there another easier, quicker, cheaper, etc. way to get rid of the rust?

 

[_RaT_]

Bird, I know of none. I encountered a problem like this at a cabin we have. All the plumbing is copper except the nipples coming out of the wall. Those 1/2" X 3" galvanized nipples were incredibly corroded and constantly destroying the faucet washers. I replaced the nipples with brass. In your case, I know of no long term solution that would work. The problem with galvanized and even copper is that even slightly acidic water continually oxidizes or etches the metal. I've seen type L copper pipe become paper tissue thin from long term exposure to slightly acidic water.

 

[herbenus]

Bird, There's a treatment I used years ago on my copper pipe. It was permanganate I think. Came with a special filter from Sears. It sort of coats the pipe and is harmless and tasteless. But after digging a new well (eliminated acidity) and installing a new softener, the corrosion of the copper went away. Last I checked, the Sears guy didn't know about these filters, so I don't know if Sears still sells them.

It did work, but you have to replace material in filter periodically.

Have you checked ph of water? You can get cheap kit for pools or aquariums. Or a complete water test kit from Lowes. Be nice to know what your starting with before any treatment is even considered.

Good luck.

 

[yooperdave]

Have you considered bottled water for drinking purposes only?

I bought a commercial property a couple of years ago, and just found out that the water main is galvanized, and not deep enough in the ground for adequate frost protection.

I know I am going to have to "swallow" a very bitter pill to correct my water pipe problem.

Good luck with yours.

Yooper Dave

 

[JDgreen227]

Bird,

Our original house was built in 1949 and still had the galvanized plumbing until late last year, when it was replaced with copper. Our water supply was from a 80 year old well located about 150 feet from the house, and the well water was somewhat rusty...the galvanized underground supply line to the house was replaced with plastic about 1975. When I moved here in 1989 one of the first things I did was install a pair of whole house water filters in the supply line, one used a cartridge for rust and sediment and the second used a taste and odor cartridge, and I also installed a high quality water softener. These almost eliminated the rust from the well but there wasn't any way to remove the rust and sediment built up in the galvanized pipes. The filters made a big difference in the water quality but it got expensive replacing the cartridges every other month.

 

[Bird]

Dave, we've never had any sign of rusty water in the house. In fact, I know that the line from the meter going underground and under the house is copper, as is the line to the other outside hydrant. And I haven't removed insulation to check it all out and see where the galvanized begins. I'm just guessing it begins somewhere after it tees off under the house to go to that hydrant on the front side of the house.

 

[bgott]

I don't know if it would be cheaper but there is a process out now where they sandblast the inside of your pipes and then coat them with some kind of epoxy. I bet it isn't cheap. On a mobile home built in the last 25 years or so PVC or poly butylene (sp?) is about the only thing they used for water piping so the only steel pipe is going to be the line to the spigots. I know you're probably getting a little old to be crawling around under a trailer but running new PVC waterline shouldn't be too hard. Don't even worry about cutting out the old stuff, assemble and insulate the new line and then shove it under and tie it onto the old line with wire ties. That ought to minimize your under house time. Once you have it assembled you can get an illegal off a street corner for a half a day to do the grunt work. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif You don't even have to insulate it, hang it with a drop and install a cut off valve so you can drain the line come winter time. Do it on a Sunday so the inspector doesn't see you and hope some buzybody doesn't rat you out. /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif I've gotten pretty inventive with repairing or replacing under trailer water lines without getting under the house.

 

[Bird]

I appreciate everyone's responses, and yes, Brad, I know how to do it, and still have the ability; just don't want to, and I didn't think there'd be any simpler way, but every once in awhile I learn of something new that I didn't know existed before.

 

[Freds]

I get a little rusty water out of spigots I don't use for a while in a building that is only 2 years old. I believe it comes from the hardness of my well water settling in the little used water line. I put in one of those Omni Filters from Lowe's and that helped out a lot.

 

[Junkman]

Bird.... it is healthy for you..... and a lot cheaper than buying those expensive iron pills to build up your blood, and if you eat a little spinach, you will look just like Popeye!!!!!! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif