Black flecks in toilet

[Ralph A]

Re: 2005 Horizon model 40AD

I occasionally have black flecks appearing in the toilet's water. They appear to be fairly consistent in size ~1/64". I thought this was unique to us until I talked to one of my friends with a 2005 Journey who has the same situation. Anyone know what causes this?

[Midniteoyl]

Hose pieces?

[autofish]

Think it is algae. Mine grows it in the clear hoses behind the toilet if the unit sits without use for some time.

[nalcon]

Kidney stones

[doc]

If you have a whole house water filter, there is a much better than even chance these are pieces of charcoal that came from the filter as it is breaking down. I would start there. Probably not getting any in the sink faucet because of the aereator (sp?) strainer there and on the bath lavatory.

[Clay L]

Originally Posted by autofish

Think it is algae. Mine grows it in the clear hoses behind the toilet if the unit sits without use for some time.

Good chance you are right. Sounds like the algae I had growing in the clear hose between the water filter and the water input in my service bay. It showed up first in the toilet because the diffuser screens in the faucets caught it.
I sanitized the entire system with bleach and replaced the hose with a piece of regular water hose.

[bucks2]

Don't drink it. At least until you figure out what the black specks are.

[shortlance]

Sounds almost like you have the house flys housebroken.

[nalcon]

Originally Posted by nalcon

Kidney stones

I know that appeared to be a wise crack remark but I wasn't kidding. I had a bout with kidney stones a few months ago that put me in the hospital. Several weeks later I noticed black gravel like flecks in the toilet bowl. Probably not your case, but I wanted to explain.

[mikf]

scrub under the rim with a toilet brush and cleaner. do not know what it is, but it gets under the rim sometimes where the water comes out. I always thought it depended on the water source. probably a good time to think about bleaching your water system.

[JBDISCOVERY]

I agree with "bleaching" the system. The black spots are most likely flakes that have broken off from the inside of the water system-hoses, tanks, etc. Just deposits from the water taken in over a extended period of time. Have seen the same problem in water systems on cruising boats. Not really harmful if the water system has a normal level of chlorine. Flushing with a high level of bleach plus some water softener chemical should clean the system.
JB

[Ralph A]

Originally Posted by Clay L

Good chance you are right. Sounds like the algae I had growing in the clear hose between the water filter and the water input in my service bay. It showed up first in the toilet because the diffuser screens in the faucets caught it.
I sanitized the entire system with bleach and replaced the hose with a piece of regular water hose.

Before we were full-timing the water system was sanitized at least two times a year, since full-timing it gets it once a year. The last time the system was sanitized was Oct. 2011. The whole house water filter gets replaced at least every six months and it has made no difference.
When I sanitize I do not sanitize the toilet because I don't want the clorine in the black water tank; so it is possible that algae is growing in the toilet line. Also, since I sanitize from the fresh water holding tank, I could have a problem with the city water hose, especially since I think the whole house water filter takes out any chlorine.
It looks like it's time to change my city water hose and service the power water hose reel at the same time.

[trampsrv]

crabs!!

[mikf]

did you ever narrow down the source of the black specs?

[Ralph A]

Originally Posted by mikf

did you ever narrow down the source of the black specs?

No, the problem is sporadic, it disappeared for about a month but now it's back but not very noticeable.
Still intend to replacing the city water hose. It's not a task of just buying a new hose since the automatic hose reel is built in and the easiest way to replace it would be to remove the hose reel, replace the hose then replace the reel. My problem is all the bolts holding the reel are rusted in place. Still doable but more time consuming than I'd like.