Bad Smell In Water Pipes Will Go Away

Q: I had a leak under my mobile home. I had galvanized pipes that were going bad and my plumber told me I needed to replace the whole system. He said CPVC plastic pipe should be installed.

I had the whole system done in CPVC, but here's the problem: I don't like the taste of the water or the smell. It tastes and smells like glue. Can you tell me if this will clear up in time? It's been two weeks and the gluey taste and smell is still noticeable.

I'd really appreciate your advice on this, as I am having to buy bottled water to drink.

A: Chances are, by the time you see this in the newspaper, the odor will have dissipated substantially or disappeared completely. If not, open all taps and let the water run freely for a minute or two each day for another week or so. (I hope you can capture some of this water and use it to water outside plants, or for dish washing or other household uses.)

The "gluey" smell you detect comes from . . . glue. Plastic pipe fittings are connected with adhesives, and it's inevitable that small amounts come in contact with the water inside the pipes before it is completely hardened, at which point it becomes inert and should not affect the water.

Another thing you could do in the meantime is purchase a countertop water-filter system for the kitchen. There are many different kinds available at hardware and home-supply stores, and they are usually easy to attach to a kitchen faucet.

The technology of water filtration has become quite sophisticated in recent years, and inexpensive water filters for home use are able to remove minerals and chlorine from drinking water - even some harmful microbes. Have a talk with someone at your local hardware store about which model is best for removing chemical odors.

And don't be miserable about this problem. It will go away by itself shortly, if it hasn't already, and you will have your tasty water back on tap.

Tip of the week: For those of us who choose (or are chosen) to live with cats or dogs, pet hair can be a persistent problem, not only for aesthetic reasons and our ability to own or wear dark clothing, but also for the proper operation of some household systems. Refrigerators, forced-air heating systems, room air cleaners and air conditioners can all be affected adversely by accumulation of pet hair.

An investment in a narrow brush for refrigerator coils is money well spent, as it can loosen pet fur and dust balls from the coils so that they can be easily vacuumed up. Filters and intakes on air conditioners and room air cleaners should be vacuumed regularly as part of regular house cleaning.

Permanent filters on forced-air heating systems should be removed and cleaned thoroughly five or six times a year, and at least once a month or so during heating season. Replaceable filters should be replaced with new filters at least twice a year, or more.

In recent years, air-filtration technology has entered a new era as consumers have become conscious of indoor air pollution, airborne allergens, and the fumes from common household cleaners, paints and adhesives.

New, highly efficient permanent electrostatic furnace filters are on the market, and much more effective temporary filters are commonly available wherever hardware and building supplies are sold. But as good as they are, an accumulation of pet hair will substantially reduce their efficiency, so regular cleaning is a must.

For removal of pet hair from fabrics and upholstery, the cheapest and easiest method is to make a loop of wide masking tape around your hand, sticky side out, and use it to dab at areas with pet hair, rotating the tape until it picks up enough fur to lose its stickiness. Depending on how much pet hair you are trying to pick up, more than one loop might be needed. This is also an effective way to remove other kinds of non-pet-related lint from fabric and upholstery.

Mark Hetts' home repair column runs as space allows in the Home/Real Estate section. Send questions and comments to: Mr. Handyperson, P.O. Box 70, Seattle, WA 98111.