How to get rid of rust residue in PVC plumbing pipe?

Jim S.

I have just put in a new well (with a PVC casing) to replace a very old iron-cased well. The casing caused a pervasive rust residue inside all the plumbing and coated the inside of the toilet bowl and shower tub. I can remove it from the toilet and shower but how to get it out of the piping. I don't think it's unhealthy, but I sure would like to get the residue out, if possible. Is there a chemical that I could put in the system at the supply end that cleans it out and does not cause other harm?

For now, I've run new, clean water through all the piping and plumbing at full volume to flush things out.

The new water tests fine on all the measures that our state tests for.

Thanks,
Jim

majakdragon

I have done this using bleach added at the filter housing, after the softener. Problem is, you need to close the toilet supply valves, washing machine supply hose connections and figure out if you really want to fill your water heater with this solution. I added bleach until I got the bleach smell at the last fixture from the supply pipe. Then let it sit 10 minutes and flushed with clear water. This is not a good method if you have a septic tank. I had a set-up where I flushed out through the outside faucets.

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lilh2o3

Give it a couple of weeks it will flush out. If you put a softener in the soft water will actually clean the pipes out also.