Don’t Ignore This! The Surprising Cause of Strange Debris in Your Drinking Water!
One day I went to turn on my hot water and it poured out stringy white stuff and rusty flecks. This white fibrous material was not quite the wake-up call I was hoping for.
This isn’t just a random plumbing quirk. It turns out there are multiple reasons why this can occur, and it’s all especially yucky when the white fibrous material makes an appearance in your hot water.
Disintegrated Dip Tube — Yup, That Can Happen
The dip tube is the plastic pipe inside your water heater that delivers cold water to the bottom of the tank. Older ones can mature into wispy, white nuggets. Bits of this white fibrous material can continue to circulate through your pipes after you replace the heater. That was me, new heater, ancient detritus.
Area of Corrosion in the Water Heater
Rust often joins the party. As heaters age, the metal parts break down, including the ball bearings. That releases flakes of rust into the system. It’s typical with a water heater near the end of its life.
Pipe Coating Gone Wild
In other instances, the pipes have coatings that wear away. This can also provide plastic-like or fibrous particles, notably if the component and/or ageing material are subjected to certain water chemistries. This white fibrous material may be contributing, if your plumbing isn’t new.
Nature Invades: Roots in the Water Line?
Tree roots may infiltrate underground water lines and slough off organic matter. And this is something that happens in aging plumbing systems that have minor cracks. Metal pipes aren’t as likely to be found in a newer home, but not working with water is always a good thing to consider.
What to Do About It
- Flush Everything
Take out
aerators, screens, and filters. Open all the
faucets and run nearby water through — especially the hot side. This helps flush out debris, including white fibrous material. Don’t forget appliances like dishwashers and washing machines — they’re reservoirs for gunk too.
2. Cleaning or Replacing the Valves and Filters
Look for check valves and filters full of fibrous gunk. Clean them well or replace them if they are past saving.
3. Target Hot Water Lines
If the problem is only on the hot side, it’s probably a dip tube. Concentrate on keeping the hot water lines flushed or ensuring that your water heater isn’t the source of any remaining white fibrous material.
Final Thoughts
White stringy stuff in hot water isn’t some great mystery. More often than not, it is dip tube debris, in combination with rust or pieces of pipe liner. The fix? Flush, Clean & Target the hot water system. Now, well, I know more than I ever wanted to know about water heaters — and, with any luck, you do, too.
