Our house was built in the 30s. Some, but not all, of the hot water
faucets are starting to dispense red water. It gradually clears up if
we run it for a few minutes.

Does this mean that we have iron pipes that are rusting away?

Is there anything we can do about this other than replace the pipes?

Is this likely to be a huge (and expensive) project?

Thanks

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probably water heater going bas, but,
WHO you need is a neighborhood older experienced plumber who's as old
as your pipes to answer these questions as they apply to your home and
climate and water supply.
WHAT to also check: have you drained out the sediment from the bottom
drain valve regularly?
WHERE the problem doesn't appear in the cold but only at the hot would
suggest you check the hot water tank.
WHEN was the tank installed? see its label.
WHY: to maintain dependable hot water supply to your home.

"Tank material:The typical tank is steel lined with "glass"
(actually porcelain enamel). It contains anodes - magnesium or
aluminum rods - suspended in the tank to fight internal corrosion,
the number-one reason water heaters fail early. Stainless steel tanks
don't rust (and therefore don't need anodes), but they're more
expensive than glass-lined tanks. Their higher cost may be worth it in
areas where the water is highly corrosive (acidic) or reactive (full of
minerals that encrust the tank walls, slowing heat transfer)." this and
more at:
http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/know...7226-3,00.html

"LurfysMa" wrote in message
...
Our house was built in the 30s. Some, but not all, of the hot water
faucets are starting to dispense red water. It gradually clears up if
we run it for a few minutes.

Does this mean that we have iron pipes that are rusting away?

Is there anything we can do about this other than replace the pipes?

Is this likely to be a huge (and expensive) project?

Thanks

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Is this a new thing? Are you on a well or city water? Can you look in a
basement or crawl space to see if you have iron pipes? Cant see it from
here. Replacing pipes would be VERY expensive and likely not the problem.

First suspect, as buffalobill said, is the hot water heater. Probably time
for a new one. If thats not the problem, and you are on city water, I would
ask my neighbors if they see this too. Could have a local water quality
problem. If you are on a well, have your water tested, you may need some
type of treatment.

"LurfysMa" wrote in message
...
Our house was built in the 30s. Some, but not all, of the hot water
faucets are starting to dispense red water. It gradually clears up if
we run it for a few minutes.

Does this mean that we have iron pipes that are rusting away?

"No" wrote in message ...

First suspect, as buffalobill said, is the hot water heater. Probably time
for a new one. If thats not the problem, and you are on city water, I
would
ask my neighbors if they see this too.

Water supply pipes ought nowadays to be either
PVC (plastic) or copper tubing. You can check
yours by applying a magnet. If it sticks to the
pipes, they may be iron or steel.

--
Don Phillipson
Carlsbad Springs
(Ottawa, Canada)

On 3 Mar 2006 00:04:30 -0800, "buffalobill"
wrote:

probably water heater going bas, but,

The water heater was replaced about 2, maybe 3, years ago.

WHO you need is a neighborhood older experienced plumber who's as old
as your pipes to answer these questions as they apply to your home and
climate and water supply.

That is going to be difficult to find. He'd need to be at least 90.

WHAT to also check: have you drained out the sediment from the bottom
drain valve regularly?

I think we did that once since the water heater was installed about a
year after it was installed.

WHERE the problem doesn't appear in the cold but only at the hot would
suggest you check the hot water tank.
WHEN was the tank installed? see its label.
WHY: to maintain dependable hot water supply to your home.

"Tank material:The typical tank is steel lined with "glass"
(actually porcelain enamel). It contains anodes - magnesium or
aluminum rods - suspended in the tank to fight internal corrosion,
the number-one reason water heaters fail early. Stainless steel tanks
don't rust (and therefore don't need anodes), but they're more
expensive than glass-lined tanks. Their higher cost may be worth it in
areas where the water is highly corrosive (acidic) or reactive (full of
minerals that encrust the tank walls, slowing heat transfer)." this and
more at:
http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/know...7226-3,00.html


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On 3 Mar 2006 09:05:28 -0800, wrote:

How often do you use hot water.....

My mother started complaining about this about two years ago.
Basically, everyone has moved out of the house, she lives alone and she
has gotten to the point where the only faucets she uses on a regular
basis are the kitchen and the toilet.

They run clear. Use anything else, such as the bathtub, etc., you have
to wait 20-50 seconds for the line to clear.

The only neighbor with a problem is another little old lady down the
street.

Mom keeps complaining, I just nod and agree.

And, yes, she has a three year-old water heater.

You may be on to something. The faucets that we use regularly, even
the hot water faucets, don't show the rust. It's just 2-3 that hardly
ever get used.

So, that suggests it's not the water heater, since we only have one.
Does that mean iron pipes someplace?

We don't get it at all in the upstairs faucets. The second floor was
added in 1988 or so.


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Your galavinized 1930s water lines are failing. Eventually they will
start leaking. So start saving money or get prepared for a DIY
replumb

You could replace the existing lines with a wiide variety of materials,
now is the time for research.

If you have lots of cash lying around, nothing to do with it, well,
maybe you might think about it. Otherwise, they'll probably last
another 20 years or more.


life of galavinized very dependent on location location location. since
water varies over nation.

how is the flow at the effected faucets, lower flow is a common sign of
worse pipes

On 4 Mar 2006 10:40:47 -0800, "
wrote:

If you have lots of cash lying around, nothing to do with it, well,
maybe you might think about it. Otherwise, they'll probably last
another 20 years or more.


life of galavinized very dependent on location location location. since
water varies over nation.

how is the flow at the effected faucets, lower flow is a common sign of
worse pipes

The flow is good everywhere.

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