Aardvark

Probably just dirt from lack of use. If you're concerned that it may contain lead then you should probably have it tested. Living in a relatively old city like Sn Fransisco its possible though not likely that there are still some lead pipes still in use.

thanks so much! if it's just dirt, do you think that just running the water for a while would solve it?

yes. just run hot water through all your pipes for awhile until they begin to clear up. You can also have a plumber come out and run a pipe-snake through them to loosen any other dirt that might be sticking just to be sure.

thanks, this is so helpful!!

I have something similar. if it only comes out w/ the hot water, it's probably the pipes are coroding. it happends after about 20 years or so. try getting filters for the faucets

Hello John, thanks so much! Is the water safe to drink do you think once you put the filter on?

(Aardvark) Help someone with a question about *plumbing*If it just happened the first time (or two) that the taps were turned on, it's probably just little particulate matter from the black washers in the faucets from disuse. I would turn all of the faucets on and off a few times to flush out the system. If it keeps recurring, I'd call the landlord.

Thanks!

it is probably either a sluge build up from not using water for a long time...try running water for a while...3-4 minutes,,take areators off the faucet and make sure they are clean as well..that should eliminate the problem...lew

EVERDAY IS GOOD FOR BBQ'ING

thanks so much for your help!!

yuck. if it's from disuse it should stop if you run the water for a long time, which i would try first. either the city or the state should have a drinking water quality regulator, either in the environmental agency or the health agency. try giving them a call, there may be someone who can do a test.

--jb

Thanks for the tips, John!!

There are a couple reasons for any black sediment in ur water..  One is if u have galvanized (grey metallic)  pipes in ur house they corrode and pieces of the corrosion break off.

number two is if anyone is fixing the water mains in the ground upstream of u  will let sediment in the system.  also old faucets corrode sometimes ... advice :  get a filter .

 

thanks!