Something is wrong if you have black specks in your home’s water, and determining the cause of the issue is critical to resolving it and restoring your home’s supply of clean water. Here’s how to get rid of black specks in your tap water from the most prevalent sources.
How To Spot Black Specks In Your Water
Drinking or faucet water should be near crystal clear. However, even clean drinking water can have fine particles that are not easily seen. One type of particulate matter that you may come across is black specks. Although black water specs are generally harmless, their appearance in your drinking water can be concerning. These look like little black particles or flakes that hover near the surface of the water when it pools in the sink, tub, or near the drain.
What Are The Black Specks?
Small, black specs floating in your water are a sign that you have sediment settling from the bottom of your sink or tub. Sediment is created when particles settle down in an enclosed area and they can cause problems by clogging pipes and filters.
The black specks are most likely from sediment, rust, or iron. There are many ways to remove the black specks from your water. Here’s how to get rid of those pesky specks so you can enjoy clean water once again!
The 3 Most Common Causes Of Black Spots In Water
- Pipe corrosion: After many years of usage, old pipes may begin to corrode. Small, uneven bits of pipe might break off and end up in your water when this happens. Corroded pipes commonly convey black specks via cold water taps, and these black specks are most noticeable when the water company has switched on your home’s water following a shut-off.
- Corroded water heater pieces: If you detect black specks when you turn on the hot water in the tub, shower, or sink, your water heater or the water lines to and from the water heater are most likely corroded. After the hot water has been turned off, black specks are not unusual on the edges of sinks, tubs, and showers.
- Broken parts fragments: Are your water’s black flecks microscopic and rubbery? These might be fragments of a rubber gasket, washer, or flexible supply line that have disintegrated. After years of usage or due to disinfectants in the city’s water supply, rubber might begin to break down.
What Is the Best Way To Get Rid Of Black Specks In My Water?
While black specks in your water might be concerning, the good news is that there is a lot you can do to get rid of them—and keep them from returning!
The “black particles in hot water” are a not-so-common occurrence. They are caused by the mineral deposits that form on the inside of your home’s water pipes. You can remove them with a simple vinegar and salt solution.
Cleaning up your water depends on what caused the black specks in the first place. If you are having trouble resolving the issue, a local plumber can help you find out what the cause is and can provide you with a solution.
Black specks can also be found alongside a leaky faucet. Find out how to handle this in What Causes A Faucet To Leak?
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you get rid of black particles in water?
A: The particles you are seeing on your screen are actually a type of algae called diatoms. Diatomaceous Earth is the most common name for diatomaceous earth or DE. It is used in pesticides and as an intestinal parasite treatment because it cuts through their cell walls to kill them. You can use DE at low concentrations in water but be careful not to breathe any dust from the powder when dry.
Why are there black flecks in my water?
A: This is most likely due to sediment. When water travels through the ground, it picks up any rocks or dirt that happen to be in its way. These small pieces of debris are called sediments and they can appear as black specks when you pour your drink into a glass.
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