The core issue is this: Why is it so difficult for us to rid our plumbing system of black particles (which, I believe, source from the water heater)?
System description: The house is just over 20 years old, we are the first owners, and we have a private well/septic system. We replaced the water heater four years ago and it has a good anode rod. We also replaced the well pressure tank two years ago. When we first bought the house, it took a long time for the water in the master bathroom to warm up, so we had the builder install a passive recirculation line. The line is simply a ½” copper pipe with an on/off valve and a ProLine 1/2 in. brass swing check valve (one-way) valve.
Actions: In an attempt to rid the plumbing system of black specks, we drained (via the drainage spigot) the water heater (while having a few hot water faucets open to allow air into the system). We then ran water into the water heater and drained that as well. We then filled the water heater and let the water (the heating element was turned off), run through the pipes. A fair amount of black particles came out, but that persisted for more than twenty minutes.
While doing this, at one point there was a banging from the system. The banging was caused by motion of the recirculation line. Turning off the valve made the noise stop.
Questions: Is large accumulation of black particles normal? Did we spend enough time running water through the system to flush them? Is it possible that the recirculation line is part of the problem? Most importantly, what action(s) can you recommend to try to resolve the issue?
Thanks!
System description: The house is just over 20 years old, we are the first owners, and we have a private well/septic system. We replaced the water heater four years ago and it has a good anode rod. We also replaced the well pressure tank two years ago. When we first bought the house, it took a long time for the water in the master bathroom to warm up, so we had the builder install a passive recirculation line. The line is simply a ½” copper pipe with an on/off valve and a ProLine 1/2 in. brass swing check valve (one-way) valve.
Actions: In an attempt to rid the plumbing system of black specks, we drained (via the drainage spigot) the water heater (while having a few hot water faucets open to allow air into the system). We then ran water into the water heater and drained that as well. We then filled the water heater and let the water (the heating element was turned off), run through the pipes. A fair amount of black particles came out, but that persisted for more than twenty minutes.
While doing this, at one point there was a banging from the system. The banging was caused by motion of the recirculation line. Turning off the valve made the noise stop.
Questions: Is large accumulation of black particles normal? Did we spend enough time running water through the system to flush them? Is it possible that the recirculation line is part of the problem? Most importantly, what action(s) can you recommend to try to resolve the issue?
Thanks!
