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            DIY Message Boards  Hop To Forum Categories  Home Improvement  Hop To Forums  Bathroom    Black Stuff in Empty Toilet
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        Black Stuff in Empty Toilet
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        Trying2Learn11
        posted
        When my wife and I went into this home, we noticed that all 4 toilets had a black gunk (for lack of a better word) in the toilet bowl drain. They are completely empty except for this black stuff. I wish we would have looked in the tanks. It isn't in any other drain in the house that we can see. The listing agent says the toilets have been winterized. The house has been vacant for about 6 months now. Is this a serious issue? Any idea what it could be? Thanks for your help.
         
        Posts: 1 | Registered: Jan 08, 2013Reply With QuoteReport This Post
        Jaybee
        Picture of Jaybee
        posted Hide Post
        Doubtful that it's serious, most likely just a by-product of a dry toilet that has not been used in a while.

        Any toilet is going to develop 'scum' over a period of time. Not enough to ever be noticed. But if it stops being used and flushed on a regular basis there is bound to be some residue. The same is true if there had been some anti-freeze added to the tank and bowl - over time and non-use some of it will become not too pretty.


        Jaybee
         
        Posts: 9065 | Location: Knoxville, Tennessee | Registered: Sep 27, 2003Reply With QuoteReport This Post
        joecercone
        posted Hide Post
        Not serious - probably just some minerals that stained the toilet once the water evaporated. CLR or bleach should take care of it.
         
        Posts: 812 | Location: Rogers City, MI | Registered: Sep 25, 2007Reply With QuoteReport This Post
        Conrad
        Picture of Conrad
        posted Hide Post
        Could be black mold or even chemicals from water supply reacting in any galvanized pipes. Especially might be the case if you are on well water (similar thing happened to a friend who left their rural home vacant for a summer).

        With regular use of the water, the issue should go away...after cleaning of course.

        This message has been edited. Last edited by: Conrad,
         
        Posts: 6627 | Location: Plains and Mountains | Registered: Sep 26, 2003Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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