Water problems library
Sediment
Grit, sand or particles in water, clogged aerators, reduced flow.
Possible causes
- Well sand or silt, aging galvanized pipes, water-main work, or a failing well screen.
What evidence helps
Where it appears (one tap vs all), what it looks like, and whether anything changed recently.
Honest next steps
Check the aerators
One faucet only often means pipe debris at that fixture.
Whole home: staged filtration
Sediment prefilters sized to your flow protect fixtures and downstream equipment.
On a well: find the source
Persistent sand can mean a well-screen issue — a well professional question, not just a filter.
A filter catches sediment; it doesn't explain it. Persistent or increasing sediment deserves a cause, not just a cartridge.