Rust in the water

[crz4mm2]

I have an old house with old plumbing. We have hard water also. I had a water softener installed thinking this would help with our rust problems. It has helped somewhat, BUT we still have rust stains in the tub and toilet and the washer. I can get the stains off with various cleaners, but it does take a lot of effort. I can NOT keep the clothes from getting stained though.
Anyone have any ideas what I can do to get rid of this problem?
Thanks.

 

[Dan Murphy]

How about using the salt for the softner that has iron removal in it?

 

[bananiem]

When we had a well the water had a high concentration of iron in it. Our water went through an iron filter as well as a water softener. I'd try Dan's suggestion first, since it's cheaper. But if it doesn't work you may want to call a plumber and see about adding an iron filter or a reverse osmosis system. (Some of our neighbors had the reverse osmosis system. It depended on the plumber the builder used.)

 

[bananiem]

Another thought...If your whites look like you washed them in Tang, (ours did if the iron filter ran out of "stuff") I'd say the water in the well is full of iron. If the clothes have spots of rust on them, I'd say it's due to the rust in the pipes flaking off. That's just my thoughts.

 

[Pop Daddy]

every time I read the title of this thread, I think of this





We all came out to Montreux
On the Lake Geneva shoreline
To make records with a mobile
We didn't have much time
Frank Zappa and the Mothers
Were at the best place around
But some stupid with a flare gun
Burned the place to the ground
Smoke on the water, fire in the sky

They burned down the gambling house
It died with an awful sound
Funky Claude was running in and out
Pulling kids out the ground
When it all was over
We had to find another place
But Swiss time was running out
It seemed that we would lose the race
Smoke on the water, fire in the sky

We ended up at the Grand Hotel
It was empty cold and bare
But with the Rolling truck Stones thing just outside
Making our music there
With a few red lights and a few old beds
We make a place to sweat
No matter what we get out of this
I know we'll never forget
Smoke on the water, fire in the sky

 

[crz4mm2]

How about using the salt for the softner that has iron removal in it?

Well now, why didn't I think of that? I will try that Dan. Thanks!

 

[crz4mm2]

Another thought...If your whites look like you washed them in Tang, (ours did if the iron filter ran out of "stuff") I'd say the water in the well is full of iron. If the clothes have spots of rust on them, I'd say it's due to the rust in the pipes flaking off. That's just my thoughts.

I'd say its more like tang.... But sometimes there are spots of rust too. I try and use oxyclean but I think sometimes it makes it worse instead of better. Especially when it is a full load (white sheets etc).
Thanks.

 

[crz4mm2]

every time I read the title of this thread, I think of this





We all came out to Montreux
On the Lake Geneva shoreline
To make records with a mobile
We didn't have much time
Frank Zappa and the Mothers
Were at the best place around
But some stupid with a flare gun
Burned the place to the ground
Smoke on the water, fire in the sky

They burned down the gambling house
It died with an awful sound
Funky Claude was running in and out
Pulling kids out the ground
When it all was over
We had to find another place
But Swiss time was running out
It seemed that we would lose the race
Smoke on the water, fire in the sky

We ended up at the Grand Hotel
It was empty cold and bare
But with the Rolling truck Stones thing just outside
Making our music there
With a few red lights and a few old beds
We make a place to sweat
No matter what we get out of this
I know we'll never forget
Smoke on the water, fire in the sky

Rust In the WATER>>>>> FIRE in the sky.... thanks for the laugh

 

[Mskanga]

If you had the water softener installed by a company , you may want to call them and find out if there's something they can do to help remove the iron from the water , I'm sure they will give you suggestions.

 

[DisneyBug1995]

For your rust stains use a cleaner called iron out. It comes in a little brown bottle. If you pour it on full strength the rust spots will disappear in front of your eyes. No scrubbing!! It's great stuff.

 

[crz4mm2]

I am going to call Culligan today and talk to them about this.
Thanks.

 

[CapeCodTenor]

I would call someone in and have them look at the hot water heater. When the water in my apartment started to get that rust color I called the landlord and told her about it...and it wound up being hot water heater. It had gone bad. So try that.

 

[crz4mm2]

I would call someone in and have them look at the hot water heater. When the water in my apartment started to get that rust color I called the landlord and told her about it...and it wound up being hot water heater. It had gone bad. So try that.

Our water heater is also old, and no doubt has some rust accumulation in it also, but that would not explain the rust in the toilet (no hot water there) I don't think. But thanks for the suggestion. We are not going to replace the water heater til it dies (which should be some time soon I figure ).

 

[Rootskate]

Oh brother! I thought we were the only ones walking aroung with rust colored socks! Its awful. We have water from a well, that im told was "built on a clay bed" (whatever that means). I have ruined so many pieces of clothing that I had to start going to a laundromat to wash clothes. It's ridiculous.