LESLIE: Alright, Lois in Texas, you’ve got The Money Pit. What can we do for you today?
LOIS: Well, I have a problem with my water in my bathrooms throughout the house turning yellow and it’s coming out of both the hot water heater – or the hot water line – and the cold water line. I’ve had the plumber. He thinks that there could be granules or rust in the water heater, which is about 12 years old, but it’s coming out of the cold water taps as well. I’ve had the city check the outside line. My neighbors are not having a problem. It is my problem. So I don’t know – I’m ready to replace the water heater if necessary but it’s puzzling to me that when I turn the faucets on – specifically, in the master bathroom – that also this yellowy stain comes out of the cold water tap as well and then, after you run it a while, it clears up. So that’s my problem; is what else could it be. I have copper piping, so I don’t know where this is coming from.
TOM: Lois, when you have yellowish water it’s generally caused by iron in the water.
LOIS: Right.
TOM: Now, typically, if it was an older house we’d say, “Well, that could be coming from the pipes.” But it could be coming from the water company itself. What you really need to do is to test your water for iron. Now if it turns out that your iron numbers are pretty high, you’re going to need a filtration system. There are a number of different types of filtration systems that will take this out. The good news is that it’s not unhealthy. It’s really just a cosmetic issue.
LESLIE: (overlapping voices) It’s just unpleasant.
TOM: It’s unpleasant and it certainly – it can actually affect the taste of the water, too; but it’s not going to make you sick.
LOIS: OK. Alright, well we’ll give that a try.
TOM: Alright, Lois. Thanks so much for calling us at 888-MONEY-PIT.
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