What Is The Green Stuff On My Copper Pipes?

Finding an unusual coloration, namely green, on your copper pipes can be disturbing. You may have questions racing through your head, which is an entirely typical response to this. So let’s answer this question: what is the green stuff on your copper pipes?

The green stuff on your copper pipes is a sign of rust and corrosion. In addition to the discoloring, you may notice a metallic odor coming from your water. Drinking water from these pipes can cause numerous health issues. This can lead to significant leakages, which can cause water damage to your house.

Now that we know what the green stuff is, how do you take care of it? We will solve that problem with a step-by-step guide below on replacing your copper pipes. We will also get into ways to avoid this green rust on your copper pipes in the future.

If you find that the issue is widespread enough, you may need to call a professional plumber. Small portions of pipe are sufficient as a DIY project, but large projects will require trained professionals.

Many trained professionals have pipe cameras that can determine if there are some unseen pieces of green. Many times these issues originate inside the pipe. They remain unseen for some time until the water smells and tastes funny.

If the amount of pipe is small enough for you to handle, you can purchase based on the measurements you took in step one. Always overestimate, as it will give you room to make mistakes.

If you solder, you merge two pieces of metal into one by adding a third metal. Typically, this metal is a thin wire that is melted onto the copper pipe so that it seals the small gap between the two.

If you can, try and find a friend with an incredibly steady hand. You will need the pipe to remain still while you handle this part.

Before finalizing your solder, you should clean your pipes with a burring knife around the inside of the line you just cut. You can also use emery cloth to clean out the outside and inside. Also, apply a layer of flux to the ends of the outside of the pipe.

The wire you need should be labeled as lead-free and found in the plumbing section of any hardware store. You will be soldering a separate joint onto the two pipes.

A common reason for green pipes comes from the acidic content of the water. Water with a low pH can eat away the copper pipe, resulting in these green pipes. Run a test before assuming that your water is considered acidic.

One way you can solve this issue is by installing a water treatment system. If you purchase the right one, a water treatment system will reduce the number of minerals in your water, making it less acidic.

Your other option is to replace the pipes in your house, but this can be expensive and unnecessary. Copper piping is one of the longest-lasting high-quality options on the market. Other options are not typically as good, as copper pipes tend to last up to 70 years.

If you find something green on copper pipes, it is not typically mold. Copper is a metallic substance that is not friendly to molds. Because of this, green on these pipes generally is corrosion.

If the issue is limited to copper joints, green can come from plumbers not removing flux during their copper replacement. You can use acetone to remove this green substance. If you do, be sure to wear a face mask and safety goggles, as acetone is a strong chemical

If this doesn’t work, you can also have the green removed with a propane or butane torch. These torches can also be used in soldering, as they melt the wire into the joint.