Hello all,
A very basic question: what in the water makes my bathroom go orangey-pink all the time? I'm contantly wiping it down and it looks horrible. A little research on my part suggests it might be an iron problem. Has anyone here with the same problem been able successfully to eliminate or reduce it? The quote below mentions chlorination and carbon filters. Sounds expensive.
Iron Bacteria are living organisms that feed on the iron found in the water, iron pipes and fittings, etc. They leave a slime inside pipes & fittings as well as in your sinks, toilets, shower and bathtub. Occasionally, a slimy growth breaks free to cause discolored water and can, on rare occasions, clog your water system. This type of iron problem is very hard to eliminate. You must kill the bacteria. A disinfection process is required. The most common treatment is Chlorination. A high concentration of chlorine throughout your plumbing system is needed and it may be necessary to feed chlorine continuously to prevent re-growth. I need to mention this once again. . .a Carbon Filter or filters, placed after the Chlorinator will remove the chlorine.
I live in a hard-water area with no filter so I also get the green and white crusty taps 🙁 The same website, http://www.naturalhealthtechniques.com/BasicsofHealth/Water_files/waterstains.htm
states:
Do You Have Blue or Green Stains on your Fixtures?
The challenge here is either the element copper in your water supply or you have copper pipes and corrosive (acid) water.
Excess oxygen - If the corrosion is caused by excess oxygen, the hot water will be more corrosive than the cold. Excess oxygen is treated by feeding polyphosphate or silicates into the system to coat and protect the plumbing, or by aerating the water to release the excess oxygen.
I'm due to get my bathroom completely refitted in the next few months and don't want to share my new bath with slimey bacteria! 😮
Any wise words much appreciated, thanks.
Catherine
Vague recollection of a cleaner of a leisure centre telling me the cause. She insists that the pinky/orange "stuff" on the tiles around the shower/bath is human fat/waste that we wash off!! :eek:Was quite horrified to hear this and if someone could put my mind at rest and tell me I am wrong, I would be very pleased!!
I think she may be mistaken - I don't wash my fat hands in the toilet cistern and the problem exists there, too! How horrible for her, though, to believe that she's cleaning up human fat all day long. Perhaps the leisure centre told her to tell you that so that whenever you see the orange stuff, you think you're eliminating fat LOL.
The more I research it, the more I think it is about iron, and specifically iron bacteria. There's a lot to it - pH levels and the like. Don't know where to start, really. Poor hubbie is going to think I'm just looking for extra jobs to keep him busy!
Cat x
Someone once told me it was sand! Apparently we live in an area which has a high content of sand in the soil which then works its way into the water system. I cannot say for sure if this is correct though!
I'll go with the iron theory myself. 😉
There are some products that can be used on your mains water inlet. Some of these are filters (a bit like you get in brita water filters etc.) and some are more "alternative" such as magnet based products that clip around the pipe so that (apparently) it altered the alignment of things in the water and prevents limescale buildup etc. I don't have these products myself but I'd be interested to know if anyone has and whether they actually work or not (and just to note, I don't go with recommendations from people who actually sell these things ;))
Love and Reiki Hugs
Hi Giles,
I live in a hard water area and fitted a magnetic water softener and have found it to be excellent in reducing limescale build up. I was so convinced that I will admit that i now sell the things but I was a very happy customer before hand.
Hopefully someone else will come on here and give you some more info.
Laura
We used to get orange/brown running water! (Back in the 70's!) - at the time it was due to rust in the pipes, so you may need to look at getting your pipes changed when you have your bathroom done.
Vague recollection of a cleaner of a leisure centre telling me the cause. She insists that the pinky/orange "stuff" on the tiles around the shower/bath is human fat/waste that we wash off!! :eek:Was quite horrified to hear this and if someone could put my mind at rest and tell me I am wrong, I would be very pleased!!
Hi,
Have to agree that the orange 'stuff' which is found on tiles in and around baths and showers is a build up of body fat which we wash off! If the tiles are cleaned properly then there would be no build up.
Sorry....have no idea why your toilet cistern would be orangey-pink.
Tracey.x
We have had this problem in the Hospital that I work in, it kind of runs rusty every now and then, our works Department tell me it's the water treatment that they use, but I am not so sure, sorry can't help, but good luck with it anyway.
The human fat thing is real, we have a problem with it accumulating on the steps leading in/out of our hydrotherapy pool, yuk!
Oh, no! Can it really be fat? Can I blame it on my husband? I always wipe the shower down after use but he probably doesn't. Is it orange like the stuff they suck out with liposuction, or just a chemical reaction with the water and soap that turns it orange? I never knew human fat could wash off in water. More baths for me, then :p
xx
Hi:)
Without looking at the evidence its difficult to identify the source.
However one common solution is works on water systems and fire hydrant disturbances from highway works and fire services.
When a hydrant is turned on to fast the water pressure disturbs the pipe residue and creates a rusty/orange colour to the water and can remain for some time until cleared from running taps.
A majority of our water supplies on the service main contain thick rusty residue, most people are not aware of this, the residue only is seen when the water pressure is abnormally disturbed like incorrect use of hydrants.or water repairs/renewal services..
Often local road works can be a sign that hydrants have been used,if Untrained staff use hydrants they are not aware of the wider impact of not using them correctly.
Therefore leaving possibly a whole housing estate with discoloured water for some time.
In time it does tend to clear as the pipe contents settle again...careful not to drink it till it does clear if this is the case.
Just an idea !
Blessings
sacrel
Sacrel,
Do you work for the water board?, just a thought!
Hi LioninLondon:)
I am a Highways Clerk of Works for a Local Government Authority.
blessings
sacrel