07:21AM | 01/26/05
Member Since: 11/15/04
5 lifetime posts
I just moved into a house and noticed that the water was a bit rusty/yellowish. The existing toilets & dishwasher are stained. I bought a whole house water filter at HD that attaches to the main line. The plastic filter housing came with a wound paper "sediment filter" insert. This wound paper insert really didn't change the water color at all (but the insert turned from white to brown within a day or two).

I replaced that paper insert with a more expensive carbon-type insert and bingo, clear water. Great right? Well, the clear water only lasted about a week. The carbon filter inserts are about $7 a piece and are "supposed" to last about 3 months. I can see that this will add up quickly by changing weekly. I could add a second filter on the main line, but I'm not sure that'll defray my costs much.?

Has anyone had experience with cost-effective rust filters? Should I be looking at solving the problem by replacing pipes, as opposed to buying filters?

Here are some pertinent facts:

-my house is on town water

-the main line into my basement is copper (not sure what type of pipe is between the house and the street).

-my water usage isn't extreme (only 2 people in the house currently)

Suggestions appreciated, thanks.


11:59AM | 01/26/05
Member Since: 11/07/04
83 lifetime posts
We use a two stage water filter to get clear drinking water here. Do you have galvanized steel pipes in your house? If so, then it seems like the plumbing is the real problem and you may have to replace the pipes to get it licked.


04:22PM | 01/26/05
I'd call your water supplier and see what they say. You shouldn't be getting municipal water that leaves rust stains but there is a lot of difference in water quality. Usually it comes from a galvanized water service. But with copper coming through the wall your service most likely has been replaced.

You could also get your water analyzied. Some environmental health departments do it. You probably can see a report on your cities water quality online. Mine has it but we're half a million people. Smaller cities may not post it but they have to report it to the feds.


09:12AM | 01/31/05
Member Since: 11/15/04
5 lifetime posts
Thanks for the responses. As far as I can see, all of the plumbing IN my house is copper. What I obviously can't see is what lies between my house and the street (and I won't be able to see that til the spring thaw).

The town water department does admit to having a high iron & mineral content in the water. They "claim" that sediment is typically only noticeable when they flush the mains in the summer...but that's not the case for me (it's noticeable all the time).

I guess I need to meet some of my new neighbors and see if they have problems too.?


09:18AM | 01/31/05
Member Since: 11/07/04
83 lifetime posts
I would see about having the water tested by your water department. Usually this is done for free. If your piping in the house is copper, then it's hard to imagine where the rust is coming from. I wonder how old the supply pipes coming in to your house are?


02:33PM | 01/31/05
You could try flushing out your main line through a wall hydrant. This can take a lot of water and shutting the water off and on. Maybe even every five minutes for a couple of hours.

I doubt that a steel service would be this bad but it is possible. You could check your city and see if the service has been replaced and/or how old is your home? If it's only twenty years old you probably do have copper as copper does come through your wall. It would be very rare to be able to hook to a piece of old steel with copper.

Talking to your neighbors and your city representative may be appropriate. You can get clean water but at the rate of $7.00 a week. This is a legitimate complaint to be presented to a city elected official.


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