Black particles in faucet aerator

[Veeb16]

Hello. Was wondering if anyone can help me with this question. I found small, black, hard particles in my kitchen faucet aerator. There are lots of these particles and they are hard and vary in size. Any ideas on what they could be? Is this normal?

 

[Reach4]

It could be one of the flex lines deteriorating. They are often rubber-like tubes covered with something else. If you got corrugated metal, that could not happen.

 

[Sponsor]

 

[Veeb16]

This is a picture of what I found. Thank you.

 

[Terry]

Sometimes from hot water stop too. The rubber washer can break up.
For now I would clean it and reinstall and hope for the best.

 

[Veeb16]

Thank you. The black particles are solid and rock hard Not rubbery.

 

[Reach4]

Thank you. The black particles are solid and rock hard Not rubbery.

Have you checked other aerators?

Maybe flush the WH, and watch what comes out.

 

[Veeb16]

I have not checked the other aerators. I will try that . Thanks. How do I flush the whole house?

 

[Reach4]

I have not checked the other aerators. I will try that . Thanks. How do I flush the whole house?

WH is Water Heater.

Water heater (WH) flushing can be done different ways. The simplest is to
1. Turn off the WH water, and put the WH in vacation mode, if it has one. Otherwise off.
2. Open a hot water tap to pass air.
3. Drain the WH completely. Usually you would use a hose to direct the water. (Take a look at the first water; it may be impressive.)
4. Turn the water supply on fully for a few seconds, and turn off. You are trying to cause turbulence to the bottom of the tank.
5. Do steps 3 and 4 several times. If you have a way to monitor the drained water, you could judge by what you are getting out.
6. Turn the water and WH back on. Close the hot water tap once the air has been expelled and just water is coming out.

 

[not_plumber]

I get these black particles fragments because I have old copper pipes that have gotten this fragmentation happening inside them. When I stick my finger inside my old copper pipe ends and twist around I pull my finger out with these hard black fragments.

Do you have old copper pipes anywhere it could be coming from?

 

[Veeb16]

Yes, I believe the pipes are copper.

 

[Veeb16]

How old are your pipes. The house was built in the 60 s.

 

[Veeb16]

Have you done anything to fix it?

 

[Grw]

Have you done anything to fix it?

Hi old thread I know, however I am having a very similar issue in all of our bathrooms at all shower and tap outlets. Been noticing quite a bit of these hard little dark particles left after showers and baths. They are sort of a dark greyish tone with lighter flecks in places. There are much smaller bits too that are like little bits of hard gritty dirt.

Took off aerator for a tap also and noticed some more of these there but also a load of green hard particles as well?!

What on earth is this? I had wondered about microplastics. haven’t observed sany of these coming through my drinking water tap in kitchen

 

[Grw]

Hi old thread I know, however I am having a very similar issue in all of our bathrooms at all shower and tap outlets. Been noticing quite a bit of these hard little dark particles left after showers and baths. They are sort of a dark greyish tone with lighter flecks in places. There are much smaller bits too that are like little bits of hard gritty dirt.

Took off aerator for a tap also and noticed some more of these there but also a load of green hard particles as well?!

What on earth is this? I had wondered about microplastics. haven’t observed sany of these coming through my drinking water tap in kitchenView attachment 90234

 

[Reach4]

Grw: Could be coming in with your city water, if you don't have a whole-house filter.

Could be decomposing flex supply lines for the water heater.