source: Reddit

One day I went to turn on my hot  water and it poured out stringy white stuff and rusty flecks. This white fibrous material was not quite the wake-up call I was hoping for.

This isn’t just a random plumbing quirk. It turns out there are multiple reasons why this can occur, and it’s all especially yucky when the white fibrous material makes an appearance in your hot water.

Disintegrated Dip Tube — Yup, That Can Happen

The dip tube is the plastic pipe inside your water heater that delivers cold water to the bottom of the tank. Older ones can mature into wispy, white nuggets. Bits of this white fibrous material can continue to circulate through your pipes after you replace the heater. That was me, new heater, ancient detritus.

Area of Corrosion in the Water Heater

Rust often joins the party. As heaters age, the metal parts break down, including the ball bearings. That releases flakes of rust into the system. It’s typical with a water heater near the end of its life.

Pipe Coating Gone Wild

In other instances, the pipes have coatings that wear away. This can also provide plastic-like or fibrous particles, notably if the component and/or ageing material are subjected to certain water chemistries. This white fibrous material may be contributing, if your plumbing isn’t new.

Nature Invades: Roots in the Water Line?

Continued on next page: