My indoor copper water pipes have green spots all over them! I noticed it over the years, but now it‘s much worse. What‘s this???Cindy! :O
I've always been told that copper was so much better than any other material for plumbing that there was almost no comparison. However, since I've been repairing plumbing in homes for the last 30 years or so and have had to remove hundreds of chunks of copper pipe from inside walls that have corroded, with the green patches you're talking about, until they've developed small leaks which then turn into big leaks, I won't plumb anything that's going to be inside or under or above anything else, with copper. I use either Pex, or CPVC or galvanized iron pipe wheneven it's going to be a hidden application. That way I can be sure that it's not going to leak in the future. I'd never put copper underground or in cement. I've had to dig way too many pipes up with a hammer and chisel to do that to anyone else.
Copper pipes are connected by soldering them together. The soldering process requires application of an acid flux to remove oxidation from the copper during the soldering process. It is likely that whoever did the soldering left some acid residue on the surface of the copper. Over a period of time, the residue promotes corrosion. Copper turns green when it corrodes. It isn't a problem, but if you want to eliminate the green, use an abrasive Scotch Pad and a mild soap and water solution. Rub the copper pipe with the pad dipped in the soap water. It isn't a lot of work, but the copper pipe will be very bright when finished. The remaining pipe that you don't scrub will be dull. Rince when finished and the green should not return.
I've seen copper piping with the corroded pinholes still last for years upon years. They are little leaks that coroded up and stopped. But the big leaks will come, one of these days. But still plan a repipe even though you may have a lot of time. Start putting change away for it, because a complete residential repipe in my area is 1500 dollars starting out.
Copper pipes are connected by soldering them together. The soldering process requires application of an acid flux to remove oxidation from the copper during the soldering process. It is likely that whoever did the soldering left some acid residue on the surface of the copper. Over a period of time, the residue promotes corrosion. Copper turns green when it corrodes. It isn't a problem, but if you want to eliminate the green, use an abrasive Scotch Pad and a mild soap and water solution. Rub the copper pipe with the pad dipped in the soap water. It isn't a lot of work, but the copper pipe will be very bright when finished. The remaining pipe that you don't scrub will be dull. Rince when finished and the green should not return.
I've seen copper piping with the corroded pinholes still last for years upon years. They are little leaks that coroded up and stopped. But the big leaks will come, one of these days. But still plan a repipe even though you may have a lot of time. Start putting change away for it, because a complete residential repipe in my area is 1500 dollars starting out.
I've always been told that copper was so much better than any other material for plumbing that there was almost no comparison. However, since I've been repairing plumbing in homes for the last 30 years or so and have had to remove hundreds of chunks of copper pipe from inside walls that have corroded, with the green patches you're talking about, until they've developed small leaks which then turn into big leaks, I won't plumb anything that's going to be inside or under or above anything else, with copper. I use either Pex, or CPVC or galvanized iron pipe wheneven it's going to be a hidden application. That way I can be sure that it's not going to leak in the future. I'd never put copper underground or in cement. I've had to dig way too many pipes up with a hammer and chisel to do that to anyone else.
