Corrosion on Water Piping January 12, 2021, 02:20:37 pm When I was winterizing, I noticed this corrosion on the copper fittings of the water lines that go to and from the hot water heater so I made a point to look at it when dewinterizing, which I’m doing now. I’ve refilled the water system and fired up the water heater. It’s been a good 30 minutes and I’m not seeing any leakage from these fittings, and the water pump is not cycling. My only conclusion is that the humidity of Florida, where I bought the LD from, had something to do with it. I will continue to monitor everything but would like to get your thoughts on possible causes.
Re: Corrosion on Water Piping Reply #1 – January 12, 2021, 02:41:31 pm Wow, have not seen that on our's. I'm going to go have a look-see in a bit. Searching finds "Copper corrodes at insignificant rates when used in areas with unpolluted air, non-oxidizing acids, and water. However, it happens more rapidly with the presence of road salt, ammonia, sulfur, oxidizing acids, etc." And "any water can induce corrosion, but here are factors that can make corrosion happen even more quickly: Saltwater, Heat, Acidic compounds." Are you sure that this isn't the result of leakage of treated water or winterizing fluid?Charles
Re: Corrosion on Water Piping Reply #2 – January 12, 2021, 02:57:50 pm Probably not, Charles as the previous owner lived in Florida and did not winterize. I’m thinking it may be because of the humid, and perhaps salty, air where the rig was mostly stored up until a month and a half ago but who knows?
Re: Corrosion on Water Piping Reply #3 – January 12, 2021, 03:12:45 pm I see. So maybe heat and evaporated condensate off the piping and copper? I can't see signs of leakage in the photo.In it's previous life our LD lived in Texas but we don't know exactly where and for how long.Charles
Re: Corrosion on Water Piping Reply #4 – January 12, 2021, 03:21:30 pm I would clean up the fittings and see if the corrosion is surface or something deeper. The upper fittings look like no big deal to me. Probably surface stuff on the outside only. The lower fittings warrant more investigation. There have been some problems with pex crimp corrosion, although I think they're rare and nothing like problems with poly crimps. My guess would be it's no big deal, but I would clean things up and take a closer look.Rich 1 Likes
Re: Corrosion on Water Piping Reply #5 – January 12, 2021, 04:37:45 pm With the corrision most present on the two bottom fittings, I would suspect something corrosive was spilled, I have never seen this in a LD. The corrosion looks significant and it has climbed to the higher fittings too. It isn’t normal.I would flush the area well, using a spray bottle of water and and rags to mop it up,.Definitely keep an eye it, the pex fittings are thin and will wear through if allow to continue.Larry
Re: Corrosion on Water Piping Reply #6 – January 12, 2021, 04:50:11 pm "I'm thinking it may be because of the humid, and perhaps salty, air."I grew up in NY State and spent six years in Mississippi with numerous trips to Florida via Alabama. I also have family in south Texas. All of these areas are noted for high humidity where you can work up a sweat while drying off after a shower. Not so California and most of the west.Were I you I'd take a wire brush to those fittings, clean them up, perhaps with a little vinegar and then watch to see if any of it reappears. 2 Likes
Re: Corrosion on Water Piping Reply #7 – January 12, 2021, 04:59:15 pm You might want to mix a paste of white vinegar and baking soda to use as a cleaner for the "blue" exudations on the copper fittings. The potion will fizz up, but the bubbles soon subside; an old toothbrush works well as a scrubber. Wipe off the fittings with a paper shop towel (or whatever doesn't catch or make lint.) 5 Likes
Re: Corrosion on Water Piping Reply #8 – January 12, 2021, 05:36:36 pm You are getting good help and advice. I just checked our LD and could not find or see anything like you have.Charles
Re: Corrosion on Water Piping Reply #9 – January 12, 2021, 06:23:17 pm Thanks all. Going to clean the fittings and entire area as suggested. 1 Likes
Re: Corrosion on Water Piping Reply #10 – January 13, 2021, 02:36:02 am I agree with Larry. I would also guess something was spilled on it.I have never seen anything like this even in 75 year old exposed (in basement) copper pipe in a humid/wet area (Seattle). Ok, maybe on outside copper statues.....but yours looks kinda like crystals...I would carefully clean - watch out for any reactions if it was a spilled substance (e.g. you are adding two chemicals together), have good ventilation.Then check to see if there is pitting or any damage to the copper or the pex.Jane 1 Likes
Re: Corrosion on Water Piping Reply #11 – January 13, 2021, 02:38:06 pm Many of the plumbing connections in my home look just like this:) Somewhere along the line, or maybe even currently, water with high mineral content has flowed through these water lines. I live in the PNW and my home water comes from a deep well drilled through igneous rock so it is not treated and contains trace amounts of many minerals. The most likely culprit here is the mineral manganese based on the turquoise color. That said, it is not pretty but it is also not corrosive or indicative of leaking either. A wire brush or some plumber's sandpaper will remove it. Applying a little paste of white vinegar and baking powder as another member mentioned earlier will remove any fine dust as a final step. 1 Likes
Re: Corrosion on Water Piping Reply #12 – January 13, 2021, 02:44:14 pm I did contact the previous owner and he has no knowledge of what might’ve happened there as he’s never looked inside that space. I trust what he says is correct.I did try and clean up the area yesterday as best I can. You have to be careful to not disturb the lines too much as there isn’t much play. I used a paste of vinegar and baking soda as Joan suggested but may try to clean up a little bit more later today or tomorrow. 1 Likes
Re: Corrosion on Water Piping Reply #13 – January 14, 2021, 04:49:35 pm Am I correct that the the upper waterline is the hot side of the water heater?
Re: Corrosion on Water Piping Reply #14 – January 14, 2021, 05:21:28 pm Quote from: HiLola - January 14, 2021, 04:49:35 pmAm I correct that the the upper waterline is the hot side of the water heater?Not sure which is which.Here is how you find out. Turn the water heater on, wait 15 minutes, then turn on a hot water faucet and feel which line, at the heater, is hot, the other line will be cold.Larry 1 Likes
Re: Corrosion on Water Piping Reply #15 – January 14, 2021, 06:16:37 pm "Somewhere along the line, or maybe even currently, water with high mineral content has flowed through these water lines."It's hard to imagine that what we see in Greg's photos could have been caused by water with high mineral content flowing inside the water lines. The question here is how corrosion occurred outside the pipes. Possibilities: leakage from inside, or spillage from somewhere else.
Re: Corrosion on Water Piping Reply #16 – January 14, 2021, 06:59:24 pm Well Andy, the previous owner did say he spent some time in the Albuquerque area . . . Just kidding! 😆 1 Likes
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