stagnant water lines
#1
04-05-16, 07:12 PM
stagnant water lines
I have read that if water stayed stagnant in a supply line it will generate some sort of bacteria that could cause Legionnaires disease.
I am looking at a property that is a foreclosure that has been abandoned for several years. Part of the time electric was also shut off. I can see the toilets and tub drain traps are evaporated dry...faucets may not have been turned on or toilets not been flushed for months, years, no idea.
Is there a way to safely "flush" these supply lines to get rid of whatever bacteria may be building up in these pipes and valves?
I am looking at a property that is a foreclosure that has been abandoned for several years. Part of the time electric was also shut off. I can see the toilets and tub drain traps are evaporated dry...faucets may not have been turned on or toilets not been flushed for months, years, no idea.
Is there a way to safely "flush" these supply lines to get rid of whatever bacteria may be building up in these pipes and valves?
#2
04-05-16, 07:27 PM
Suggestion: Every day for a week, run water through each fixture and toilet, enough to bring completely new chlorinated water up from the water main.
By the way, Legionnaires disease is more likely to be caught from bacteria in the air in stagnant locations such as in heating and air conditioning ducts compared with in water in pipes.
By the way, Legionnaires disease is more likely to be caught from bacteria in the air in stagnant locations such as in heating and air conditioning ducts compared with in water in pipes.
#3
04-06-16, 05:13 AM
I asked because I saw some articles from guys discussing what type of mask to wear for an inspector to open a hosebib that is "low use" with stagnant water in the piping at an abandoned building. They were talking about possibility of water coming out of the hosebib under pressure and possibly push a lot of the bacteria into the air. One guy even recommend air tight head gear...I got real concerned reading it.
#4
04-06-16, 06:12 AM
Member
Well or city water?
With a well you dump in some bleach and let it sit for a while then just run the water through the pipes until there's no more bleach smell.
City water just let it run as suggested.
No way is a mask or special suit needed to just flush the lines.
Ever seen someone pumping out a septic tank wearing a mask?
With a well you dump in some bleach and let it sit for a while then just run the water through the pipes until there's no more bleach smell.
City water just let it run as suggested.
No way is a mask or special suit needed to just flush the lines.
Ever seen someone pumping out a septic tank wearing a mask?
#5
04-06-16, 06:48 PM
I agree with the others, as long as it's city water, I'd flush the whole system out a few times and not worry about it. I wouldn't want to drink the water that's been sitting there for a few years, but it was originally chlorinated, so I can't imagine it would be that bad to really worry much about it.
#7
04-06-16, 08:11 PM
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Wet side of Washington state.
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Fire protection sprinkler piping often goes decades without flushing yet the people that service them do not use haz-mat suits or respirators when they do flush. I think you are looking for problems where they don't exist.
I will admit that old stale water often looks and smells really bad and I certainly don't advocate drinking it or even washing with it, but I don't think it will actually harm you if you get some on your skin.
I will admit that old stale water often looks and smells really bad and I certainly don't advocate drinking it or even washing with it, but I don't think it will actually harm you if you get some on your skin.
#8
04-07-16, 02:44 AM
Group Moderator
old stale water often looks and smells really bad
