Orange and black stain in toilet bowl

[goose70]

We continue to get an orange and black ring in the toilet bowl (along with some serious mineral deposits in the bathroom that is rarely used), and even black stains on the side of the bowl along the drip lines. It cleans off easily enough, but I want to ensure that it isn't a symptom of a more serious problem.

We did not have this problem...or at least not nearly to this extent...up until a couple years ago. We are on public water in Arnold, MD. Our water from the tap is clear and tastes fine.

Thanks for any thoughts on this.

[BUDC]

We get it occassionly also. I believe it to be some sort of mold or alge. It started when our public water supplier changed to a new treatment plant compliant with all FedRegs, EPA and every other new and better idea. Since then, the water often smells like woods mold and grows stuff in the bowl. Keep one of the conditioner gadgets in the tank and it will stop.

[goose70]

Thanks. I was worried that the copper pipes were falling apart or something similarly dire.

[Spearo]

If it's a blue stain is the copper plumbing, a sing that is ageing.

[goose70]

Fortunately, not blue. The pipes are 15 years-old, but pin hole leaks are always in my nightmares. Fortunately, no pipe problems so far.

[crabby and son]

Jeff, Change your diet!:eek2: If it cleans off easily, it is a mold or fungus. The blue stain that is hard to clean off is usually on a well with a high acid content and leads to pinholes in pipes. If you start getting an orange complexion you should get a water test.......Gary

[goose70]

If you start getting an orange complexion you should get a water test.......Gary

I haven't been to a tanning bed in years.:D

[garry21cc]

black stains in bowl and black marks coming down from rim of bowl are usually caused by a leaking or old toilet flapper.
Take the lid off the tank
Look inside at the device at the end of the chain.
Lightly touch the part that seals the water from entering the bowl.
If you get black crud on your finger, theres a good chance thats where the black streaks/ rings are coming from. ( change that seal ).

I strongly suggest not using additives into tank of toilet as they are chlorine based products and greatly diminish the life of the parts inside the toilet.

You say its a fixture you rarely used ? Turn the water off under the toilet. Check it in 48 hours, If the water level in the tank has dropped it's leakin ( change that seal )

Don't know about the orange stain/ unless your flapper seal is orange in color. Hope this help

Garry

[goose70]

Thanks. I did change the flappers a few months ago (had used chlorine tablets years ago....dumb mistake). They were literally like goo....almost totally dissolved. I'm shocked that they still held. However, the black stains have persisted. Maybe it's from the seal. I guess I need to figure out how to change that.

[ragnad]

I knew the O's were bad this year, but couldn't imagine it would come to this.

[Jim C]

I recently replaced my toilet bowl because I was having alot of clogging, about 5 years ago I had this problem and removed the bowl, laid it in my driveway and power washed the drain on both sides. Lots of calcium deposits were removed, so I put it back, it worked ok till recent months.
I finally gave it up, replaced the bowl...now here's the kicker..the man where I purchased the new bowl informed me the older toilets had no porcelain or coating inside and the new units do...I was having deposits like you; however, for many years I cleaned them out with a 20% solution of hydrochloric acid and that kept it clean, although it may have messed up the internals of the bowl also....your stains may be coming from the water inside the bowl trap...something to consider