New copper plumbing already turning green

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gregk24

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I just had a new water heater installed, which included cutting out old galvanized lines and installing new copper from the existing copper supply line. Well, I just noticed there is already green build up on the new piping, especially around some of the joints, but also "running" down some of the vertical pipes.

Why would this be on such new copper? And how can I clean it?
 
Some of my pipes are like that, too. I've never thought about cleaning them.
 
Originally Posted by Leo99
Some of my pipes are like that, too. I've never thought about cleaning them.


I have always read that green = corrosion on copper. So I want to clean off the surface to remove whatever is corroding it. They are brand new pipes.
 
Originally Posted by dishdude
It's normal, I'd leave it alone.


Odd, my 40+ year old piping looks great in comparison.
 
Maybe the installer never wiped the excess flux off the soldered joints? Try wiping the joints with a wet cloth to remove the flux residue.
 
I am not much a plumber bit don't solder fluxes contain salts and or acids?

Originally Posted by Wiki
Common fluxes are: ammonium chloride or rosin for soldering copper and tin


It is my understanding that plumbing fluxes basically remove copper oxides so the solder can help seal the plumbing joints.

I have used MechanicAll and fine steel wool to remove the resulting green copper stain, but I don't think it affects the sealing of copper joints; it's just an after effect of the heating and fluxing.
 
Originally Posted by gregk24
I just had a new water heater installed, which included cutting out old galvanized lines and installing new copper from the existing copper supply line. Well, I just noticed there is already green build up on the new piping, especially around some of the joints, but also "running" down some of the vertical pipes.

Why would this be on such new copper? And how can I clean it?

Could you send us a picture?
 
Originally Posted by Kibitoshin
Maybe the installer never wiped the excess flux off the soldered joints? Try wiping the joints with a wet cloth to remove the flux residue.

^^^This.^^^
When I used to do copper piping I was VERY anal about my work looking superior! Most plumbers don't care, to a certain degree, about their finished work. We (pipefitters) used to always say,"A pipefitter can do a plumbers job, but a plumber can't do a pipefitters job!"
grin.gif

Kibitoshin is correct about wiping the pipe with a wet cloth. I advise to take it one step further and use a hot water cloth. It will do a better job.
thumbsup2.gif
 
Originally Posted by gregk24
I just had a new water heater installed, which included cutting out old galvanized lines and installing new copper from the existing copper supply line. Well, I just noticed there is already green build up on the new piping, especially around some of the joints, but also "running" down some of the vertical pipes.

This is occouring from not cleaning off the flux from the soldered joint. It's absolutely nothing to worry about. If it bothers you, you can clean it off with some warm water and baking soda. But stay away from Simple Green, Windex with Ammonia, or other "garage type cleaners".

After you clean and remove the flux, you can gently hit the area with some Scotch Brite and it will shine enough to make you happy...... Until it tarnishes over time like copper does naturally.
 
Originally Posted by billt460
Originally Posted by gregk24
I just had a new water heater installed, which included cutting out old galvanized lines and installing new copper from the existing copper supply line. Well, I just noticed there is already green build up on the new piping, especially around some of the joints, but also "running" down some of the vertical pipes.

This is occouring from not cleaning off the flux from the soldered joint. It's absolutely nothing to worry about. If it bothers you, you can clean it off with some warm water and baking soda. But stay away from Simple Green, Windex with Ammonia, or other "garage type cleaners".

After you clean and remove the flux, you can gently hit the area with some Scotch Brite and it will shine enough to make you happy...... Until it tarnishes over time like copper does naturally.

+1
 
Sometime this can also be caused by the water itself. Ph, and content of the water come into play as well as the install issues listed above. If other copper pipe in your house is fine, it would be the result of the work done.
 
Originally Posted by gregk24
I just had a new water heater installed, which included cutting out old galvanized lines and installing new copper from the existing copper supply line. Well, I just noticed there is already green build up on the new piping, especially around some of the joints, but also "running" down some of the vertical pipes.

Why would this be on such new copper? And how can I clean it?

I hope dielectric couplers were used at the inlet and outlet where the copper meets the steel. I also place a clamp on each line above the tank with a heavy copper jumper between the two. That stopped my corrosion.
 
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