Looking at a home...rust in water...

[gregk24]

I am looking at another home, this would be my first home purchase if everything were to work out. I was turning on the faucets last night and rusty colored water came out of the hot water side on one of the bath tubs. The rusty color didn't last long, I came back a couple more times to see if it still had the rusty color when first turned on and it had a slight purplish color the second time. After that it flowed clear. The house was built in 59, its a charming house and I like it a lot. Is this of much concern? Obviously it would seem the pipe has some rust built up on the inside. Water pressure seemed fine so I don't know HOW obstructed the pipe would be with rust, if even at all.

It is worth mentioning that the house hasn't been lived in a few years, however the owners do keep the water / electric / a/c turned on so the house doesn't get "stale".

 

[spasm3]

Is it on a well or city water? Iron or copper pipes? Since you mentioned the hot water side i'd wonder the age of the hot water heater. If the home has iron pipes, that could be from non use. I will say that i had a home built in the 30's and i ended up replacing the aging iron pipes to get better flow. Think about that cost as well as the water heater when talking offer price.

Check the condition of the roof, age and condition of the HVAC and especially the age of the furnace if its gas. Check for aluminum wire, but i doubt it has it from '59 unless modifications were done.


P.S. If city water, don't forget that you are probably responsible for every pipe from the meter on. I would check to see what comes off the meter. You might have some digging in your future. Even so, i'd want to work on price based on whether a plumbing upgrade was done or not.

If well water, consider the cost of pump replacement , make sure that what you see is rust, and not mud/dirt from a cracked well casing ( especially if the house does not have iron pipes).

 

[Pop_Rivit]

Find a home inspector who knows what they're doing. There is no way to get a solid answer on a discussion forum-have someone visually inspect the entire house so you know what you're getting into.

 

[Delta]

Gonna go out on a limb here and say nothing is probably wrong with it. If it hasn't been used in a while you'll get that since the waters been in there a while. I've had this happen with copper as well as plastic pipes. Grandmothers house next door did the same thing before she moved in since the house was sitting up for months. No issues since. I'll get it everytime I do a service on both houses and have to turn the water off. Our house was built in 56' and hers in 57'

 

[PimTac]

Delta is right. That is normal for water that was shut off for a while. Just run your faucets with the end caps off so as to not clog them up. You probably should drain the hot water tank as well to flush any sediment off the bottom.

 

[demarpaint]

Around here it is typically caused by two things, operative word being typically [there can be other causes].

1. The hot water heater is old and due for replacement.

2. Occasionally they flush the water lines by opening fire hydrants, and that will cause complaints about rust in the lines.

If you know the water has been off for several hours you can open up the drain spigot on the bottom of the hot water heater slowly and look for rust in your collection pail. For best results when buying a house get a competent home inspector. Some are real hacks, so I'd go with a recommendation vs. through a real estate broker [whose #1 interest is making the sale]. I'd avoid Internet searches too.

 

[NJ_Car_Owner]

I totally agree with a home inspector. I have heard of galvanized pipes but have never seen them. I have seen lead pipes though - stay away unless the sellers are willing to pay for the full cost of replacement.

All or most hot water heaters will collect sediment on the bottom and possibly spit it out when first turned on. A couple of good drains may be all you need to clean it out; there's usually a spigot on the bottom for that purpose, most people never bother.

 

[64bawagon]

Around here we use "water heaters"
If you already have hot water, why would you need to heat it ?

seriously, a little rust out of a faucet of a house that has sat is pretty normal. As has been suggested already, an inspection by someone with a plumbing background would be prudent. I would also have the water tested and the well shocked if youre on a well.

We have great well water and a softener but I still drain my water heater a few times a year to keep sediment out.

 

[Donald]

Home inspection. Analysis of water sample.

 

[bubbatime]

For what its worth, my house was built in 2003 and is completely plumbed with PEX (plastic tubing).

I have a tub that I only use about once every 6 months or so. Every time I turn the water on, it comes out with a red rust looking water for the first 3-5 seconds. And this is a newish house with plastic water lines. So I wouldn't be too worried about what you described, as it can happen in almost any faucet that doesn't get flushed regularly.

 

[simple_gifts]

Quote:

P.S. If city water, don't forget that you are probably responsible for every pipe from the meter on


OT: where i live the home owner is responsible for the entire line from the street; where the meter is makes no difference. I'd find it unusual that any water company want to own anything other than the street.

I pay a small insurance payment ($70) yearly which will cover any line repairs. A bargain for those will long lines;

 

[spackard]

I've had rusted, galvanized pipes before. They still flow water, but hold up a 6 foot section to the sun and you cannot see any light coming out the other end.
They're rated to last 30 years. After that, the rust grows and shuts off water flow gradually.
A dynamic flow test, looking for how much pressure drops, can indicate how bad they are.

In So Cal, if you see rust in the water, it's from galvanized pipes. Just shows up faster in the hot water side.

 

[Warstud]

Probably IRON....those of us with a well are familiar with it.

 

[Dave Hess]

Originally Posted By: Pop_Rivit
Find a home inspector who knows what they're doing. There is no way to get a solid answer on a discussion forum-have someone visually inspect the entire house so you know what you're getting into.


A good home inspection will find things you'll overlook and worth the money.

Obviously a house from 1959 will have some problems.

 

[SatinSilver]

Originally Posted By: gregk24
I am looking at another home,


What happened to the first one Greg?

I've had rusty water come out of the faucet when the Fire Dept comes around and flushes the hydrants once or twice a year. So the gunk you see could be the result of that happening a few times over the years. Also don't go with the house inspector that a realtor refers you to. Realtors are like used car salesmen but with nicer wardrobes.

 

[gregk24]

Originally Posted By: SatinSilver
Originally Posted By: gregk24
I am looking at another home,


What happened to the first one Greg?

I've had rusty water come out of the faucet when the Fire Dept comes around and flushes the hydrants once or twice a year. So the gunk you see could be the result of that happening a few times over the years. Also don't go with the house inspector that a realtor refers you to. Realtors are like used car salesmen but with nicer wardrobes.


The first house was a 3 bed 1.5 bath, we want something that we could grow into. While a 1.5 bath would work it would certainly be challenging at times. Overall the first house was in great shape really. It was a 1974 home and the seller put in new carpet / tile / paint etc. The windows were kind of rickety though and there was some surface mold in various areas. Not deal breakers I to some but I just don't have the money to do any repairs. The current house that I am looking at (1959) has ORIGINAL windows. They are single pane glass and wood, but seem very solid.

 

[Andrew1972]

If interested I'd ask a water treatment person how much rust color removal is if on a well. You can negotiate that into sale of home if it fits other boxes.

These systems cost and are sized according to problem.
I have a rust remover but not sure I need it from prior owner.

 

[Danh]

If it has well water and has been largely dormant, the rust could be coming from the well casing and should clear up with use. We have well water at a summer place with all copper plumbing. The water is quite rusty after a winter's hibernation but clears up after running it for 30 minutes or so.

Unfortunately, unless the current homeowner is inclined to runs lots of water through the system there's no way of knowing for sure until after the sale. I suppose you could make an offer contingent on inspection and an independent test of water quality.

 

[The_Jeff]

Originally Posted By: Donald
Home inspection. Analysis of water sample.


When I pull a sample I have to let it run for 5 minutes per the instructions.