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  1. #1
    RobertSmith's Avatar
    RobertSmith Guest

    Default embarrassing question

    I must confess, this is an embarrassing question, I'm having a brain dump.

    The green substance , chemicals on copper water supply lines, faucets you typcially see is known as oxidation or corrosion?

    Sorry for the question, been working too hard I guess!

    Rob

    OREP Insurance

  2. #2
    Ron Bibler's Avatar
    Ron Bibler Guest

    Default Re: embarrassing question

    Galvanic action.

    Best

    Ron



  3. #3
    Join Date
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    Caledon, Ontario
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    Default Re: embarrassing question

    Oxidation
    What is Oxidation?


  4. #4
    RobertSmith's Avatar
    RobertSmith Guest

    Default Re: embarrassing question

    Raymond,

    Great little article, thanks!

    Rob


  5. #5
    Joe Asta's Avatar
    Joe Asta Guest

    Default Re: embarrassing question

    copper patina? Corrosion?


  6. #6
    Join Date
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    Default Re: embarrassing question

    Quote Originally Posted by RobertSmith View Post
    The green substance , chemicals on copper water supply lines, faucets you typcially see is known as oxidation or corrosion?
    Quote Originally Posted by Raymond Wand View Post
    Quote Originally Posted by Joe Asta View Post
    copper patina? Corrosion?
    Yes to all of the above.

    What is Corrosion?

    Oxidation and/or corrosion - not quite completely interchangeable in all uses but are interchangeable in some uses.

    51386. The difference between corrosion and oxidation? [Japan]

    Jerry Peck
    Construction/Litigation/Code Consultant - Retired
    www.AskCodeMan.com

  7. #7
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    Santa Rosa, CA
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    Default Re: embarrassing question

    Quote Originally Posted by RobertSmith View Post
    I must confess, this is an embarrassing question, I'm having a brain dump. The green substance , chemicals on copper water supply lines, faucets you typcially see is known as oxidation or corrosion? Sorry for the question, been working too hard I guess! Rob
    Verdigris.

    Verdigris - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

    Department of Redundancy Department
    Supreme Emperor of Hyperbole
    http://www.FullCircleInspect.com/

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Jun 2009
    Location
    Windsor, CA
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    Default Re: embarrassing question

    I have a question. Is it just the exterior of the pipe or is it staining the inside of the sinks?


  9. #9
    Robert Autrey's Avatar
    Robert Autrey Guest

    Default Re: embarrassing question

    The question I have is will it soon lead to leaking. Should the components be replaced?


  10. #10
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
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    South-West Michigan
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    469

    Post Re: embarrassing question

    Nice information Jerry. If the joint is clean and the amount of oxidized copper is minimal, I usually note it as "oxidation". If there appears to be excess flux that was never removed, causing deterioration of the pipe or fitting, I usually note it as "corrosion".

    Randall Aldering GHI BAOM MSM
    Housesmithe Inspection
    www.housesmithe.com

  11. #11
    Mike Truss Guy's Avatar
    Mike Truss Guy Guest

    Default Re: embarrassing question

    Isn't oxidation a type of corrosion that happens in when metals are exposed to the oxygen in air?


  12. #12
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    Default Re: embarrassing question

    Quote Originally Posted by Mike Truss Guy View Post
    Isn't oxidation a type of corrosion that happens in when metals are exposed to the oxygen in air?
    Basically, I think, it goes through oxidation first. Everything oxidizes, some at slower rates that others. Once the oxidation has progressed to the point of causing a detrimental effect on the material which has oxidized, that now becomes corrosion, which makes the material corroded, which means the material has been negatively affected by the oxidation.

    Or something like that.

    Like when steel oxidizes and forms surface rust, which helps protect the steel, yet more rust becomes corrosion and the steel is degraded.

    Jerry Peck
    Construction/Litigation/Code Consultant - Retired
    www.AskCodeMan.com

  13. #13
    Join Date
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    Huntsville, Ontario
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    Default Re: embarrassing question

    I see this in my area. At times the oxidation/corrosion is excessive and damp (beginning to leak). My plumber freinds tell me it due to low PH (below 6.5) well water, which is typical is this part of the country.
    I write it up as potential leaks and/or currently leaking depending on the actual observation.

    Steve Bowman
    Top To Bottom Home and Property Inspections

  14. #14
    Robert Autrey's Avatar
    Robert Autrey Guest

    Default Re: embarrassing question

    Maybe I can ask my question a different way? Does anybody know? I see this type of corrosion (I'll call it that for now) all the time. Some of the responses here seem to indicate that it will occur even without a leak being present. Is that the consensus opinion? And, if so, will it eventually cause a leak? Maybe? Probably? I can see that it could occur without a leak being present, but it has to be damaging, or depleting, the metal. Right?


  15. #15
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    Default Re: embarrassing question

    Quote Originally Posted by RobertSmith View Post
    The green substance ... on copper ... you typcially see is known as oxidation ...
    I'll answer the question differently ... Yes.

    Jerry Peck
    Construction/Litigation/Code Consultant - Retired
    www.AskCodeMan.com

  16. #16
    Robert Autrey's Avatar
    Robert Autrey Guest

    Smile Re: embarrassing question

    Quote Originally Posted by Jerry Peck View Post
    I'll answer the question differently ... Yes.
    Thanks! That's the answer I was looking for!


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