rusty pipes

[low_delta]

We had a low-flow problem with out water lines. I was pretty sure that the insides of the pipes were gunked up with rust. I was right.

These are 3/4" copper pipes. These were constricted to about 3/8". That's quite a loss of flow.



This is a pile of rust that I shook out of a 30" section of pipe. That's a pretty big handful.




The pipes weren't all like this - I just picked out the worst ones to show you - but there were enough of them to seriously block flowage.

Comments

[sunshine-two.livejournal.com]

wow, that's amazing.

[low-delta.livejournal.com]

Yeah, that's what I thought.

[dwivian]

"Yikes!" says da elf.

I concur.

[roadskoller.livejournal.com]

Holy Toledo!!!

[roadskoller.livejournal.com]

Didn't you have an inspector come through and check the water pressure? Maybe you can go back and get them to pay for it? Or the sellers??????
Just wow....

[low-delta.livejournal.com]

No. We knew there was a water problem, and we bought it anyway. Besides, it only cost us $100... and a couple days' work. :-)

[cynnerth.livejournal.com]

The home inspector was really puzzled by the low water pressure. He checked the tank and said the water should be snapping out of the faucets. So we knew it was a problem that needed attention eventually.

[human-beans.livejournal.com]

*thud*

[low-delta.livejournal.com]

I still have the rust. I'll send you some. You can make little sculptures.

[pasticcio.livejournal.com]

That looks like something off that show Fear Factor!
Ew!

[laciann.livejournal.com]

How many years do you suppose it took to build up like that?

That's pretty disgusting. You're lucky you were getting any water at all!

[low-delta.livejournal.com]

Nobody's quite sure when the house was built, but we're guessing those pipes have been there for 35 years.

[i.livejournal.com]

great color!

[low-delta.livejournal.com]

Want some?

[i.livejournal.com]

no thanks. :) i have some really nice italian pigment that's exactly the same color.

[likethebeer.livejournal.com]

That's fascinating and somewhat disgusting.

[emschin.livejournal.com]

Wow! No wonder your water tasted rusty. When my landlord replaced the pipes under my kitchen sink (yes, he actually repaired something!) the old pipes weren't quite that bad but close. My sink had always gurgled loudly under certain circumstances, and now that's gone.

[mummm.livejournal.com]

I showed Robert your pictures and he just said three words, after looking horrified, "Whole house filter".

[low-delta.livejournal.com]

I thought of that, but it's more expensive than replacing the pipes every 20 years. On the other hand, a filter could save the water softener. We've still got to figure out what's up with that.

[mummm.livejournal.com]

Being a home owner is such an adventure...

[low-delta.livejournal.com]

You never know what's going to happen next!


Hey, I thought that was Peter Max in that icon! :-) (I just looked it up on your icons page.)

[mummm.livejournal.com]

It sure is! My cousin Jerry has met him several times and bought a book by him to give to christinA. (my daughter) When he had Peter sign the book Peter liked how she put the capital A on the end of her name so he drew her a special picture. Jerry says he is the nicest person and of course a super artist!